Acting
Robert Townsend
EN cinema · 64 credits
Born
6 February 1957 (age 69)
Birthplace
Chicago, Illinois, USA
Robert Townsend (born February 6, 1957) is an American actor, comedian, and filmmaker. Townsend is best known for directing the films Hollywood Shuffle (1987), Eddie Murphy Raw (1987), The Meteor Man (1993), The Five Heartbeats (1991) and various other films and stand-up specials. He is especially known for his eponymous self-titled character, Robert Peterson as the starring role as on The WB sitcom The Parent 'Hood (1995–1999), a series which he created and of which directed select episodes. Townsend is also known for his role as Donald "Duck" Matthews in his 1991 film The Five Heartbeats. He later wrote, directed and produced Making The Five Heartbeats (2018), a documentary film about the production process and behind the scenes insight into creating the film. Townsend is also known for his production company Townsend Entertainment which has produced films Playin' for Love, In the Hive and more. During the 1980s and early–1990s, Townsend gained national exposure through his stand-up comedy routines and appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. Townsend has worked with talent including Halle Berry, Morgan Freeman, Chris Tucker, Beyoncé, Denzel Washington and many more.
Known for
Filmography
A Walk with Charles Burnett
as Self, Director
Making The Five Heartbeats
Director, Producer
Playin' for Love
as Coach Banks, Director, Writer, Producer
Bill Cosby: Far From Finished
Director, Thanks
Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire
as Vampire Actor #1 (voice)
In the Hive
Director
Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy
as Self, Director
Of Boys and Men
as Holden Cole, Producer
Phantom Punch
Director
Black Listed
as Alan Chambers, Director
I Was a Teenage Faust
as Mr. Five
Undercover Brother
as Mr. UB
Carmen: A Hip Hopera
Director
Up, Up, and Away
as Jim Marshall / Bronze Eagle, Director
Little Richard
Director
Holiday Heart
Director
Taxman
as Peyton Cody
Mercenary II: Thick & Thin
as Charlie Love
Joseph's Gift
as James Saunders
Love Songs
as Champ, Director
Jackie's Back!
as Robert Townsend, Director
Stuart Hall: Representation & the Media
as Archive Footage (Hollywood Shuffle)
B.A.P.S
Director
The Meteor Man
as Jefferson Reed, Director, Screenplay, Producer
The Five Heartbeats
as Duck, Director, Writer, Producer
The Mighty Quinn
as Maubee
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 4
Actor, Writer, Executive Producer, Director
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 3
Actor, Director, Executive Producer, Writer
That's Adequate
as Standup Comic
I'm Gonna Git You Sucka
as Minor Role (uncredited)
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 2
Actor, Writer, Director
Hollywood Shuffle
as Bobby Taylor, Director, Writer, Producer
Uptown Comedy Express
Actor, Writer
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 1
Actor, Director, Writer
Eddie Murphy Raw
Director
Odd Jobs
as Dwight
Ratboy
as Manny
Rodney Dangerfield: It's Not Easy Bein' Me
as Self, Writer
American Flyers
as Jerome
A Soldier's Story
as Corporal Ellis
Streets of Fire
as The Sorels - Lester
Senior Trip
as Randy
Willie & Phil
as Thin Boy
The Warriors
as Baseball Fury (uncredited)
Women at West Point
as Russell Baker
The Monkey Hustle
as Musician
Cooley High
as Basketball Player in Gym Class
Mahogany
as Extra (uncredited)