Robert Townsend
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- Feb 6, 1957 (age 69)
- Place of birth
- Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Credits
- 63
Robert Townsend (born February 6, 1957) is an American actor, director, comedian, and writer. 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
AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Eddie Murphy
2026Movie
Self
Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man!
2026TV
Self - Comedian & Filmmaker
Before
2024TV
Jackson
The Bear
2022TV
Emmanuel Adamu
A Walk with Charles Burnett
2019Movie
Self
Black Lightning
2018TV
Dr. Napier Frank
Playin' for Love
2015Movie
Coach Banks
Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire
2012Movie
Vampire Actor #1 (voice)
Directors on Directing
2009Movie
Self
Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy
2009Movie
Self
Of Boys and Men
2008Movie
Holden Cole
Tao of The Golden Mask
2007Movie
Black in the 80s
2005TV
Self
Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!!
2003Movie
Self
Black Listed
2003Movie
Alan Chambers
I Was a Teenage Faust
2002Movie
Mr. Five
Undercover Brother
2002Movie
Mr. UB
Book of Love: The Definitive Reason Why Men Are Dogs
2002Movie
Sidney Poitier: One Bright Light
2000Movie
Up, Up, and Away
2000Movie
Jim Marshall / Bronze Eagle
Taxman
1999Movie
Peyton Cody
Mercenary II: Thick & Thin
1999Movie
Charlie Love
Jackie's Back!
1999Movie
Robert Townsend
Love Songs
1999Movie
Champ
Joseph's Gift
1999Movie
James Saunders
Motown Live
1998TV
Self - Host
Hollywood Squares
1998TV
Self - Panelist
Stuart Hall: Representation & the Media
1997Movie
Archive Footage (Hollywood Shuffle)
Great Drives
1996TV
Self - Host
Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child
1995TV
Rumpelstiltskin (voice)
The Parent 'Hood
1995TV
Robert Peterson
The Legend of Dolemite! Bigger & Badder
1994Movie
Self
The Meteor Man
1993Movie
Jefferson Reed
A Party For Richard Pryor
1991Movie
Self
The Carol Burnett Show
1991TV
The Five Heartbeats
1991Movie
Duck
Robin Harris: One Night Stand
1990Movie
Bum #3
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 4
1989Movie
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 3
1989Movie
The Mighty Quinn
1989Movie
Maubee
That's Adequate
1989Movie
Standup Comic
I'm Gonna Git You Sucka
1988Movie
Minor Role (uncredited)
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 2
1988Movie
Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute
1988Movie
Self
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 1
1987Movie
Uptown Comedy Express
1987Movie
Hollywood Shuffle
1987Movie
Bobby Taylor
Ratboy
1986Movie
Manny
Rodney Dangerfield: It's Not Easy Bein' Me
1986Movie
Self
Odd Jobs
1986Movie
Dwight
Amazing Stories
1985TV
Billy Burliss
American Flyers
1985Movie
Jerome
A Soldier's Story
1984Movie
Corporal Ellis
Streets of Fire
1984Movie
The Sorels - Lester
In Love with an Older Woman
1982Movie
James
Senior Trip
1981Movie
Randy
Willie & Phil
1980Movie
Thin Boy
Women at West Point
1979Movie
Russell Baker
The Warriors
1979Movie
Baseball Fury (uncredited)
The Monkey Hustle
1976Movie
Musician
Mahogany
1975Movie
Extra (uncredited)
Cooley High
1975Movie
Basketball Player in Gym Class
M*A*S*H
1972TV
Patient