Robert Townsend
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
Credits
- 2024 · Before as
- 2022 · The Bear as Emmanuel Adamu
- 2019 · A Walk with Charles Burnett as Self
- 2018 · Black Lightning as Dr. Napier Frank
- 2015 · Playin' for Love as Coach Banks
- 2012 · Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire as Vampire Actor #1 (voice)
- 2009 · Directors on Directing as Self
- 2009 · Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy as Self
- 2008 · Of Boys and Men as Holden Cole
- 2007 · Tao of The Golden Mask as
- 2006 · Edge of Outside as Bobby Taylor (archive footage)
- 2005 · Black in the 80s as Self
- 2003 · Black Listed as Alan Chambers
- 2003 · Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!! as Self
- 2002 · I Was a Teenage Faust as Mr. Five
- 2002 · Undercover Brother as Mr. UB
- 2002 · Book of Love: The Definitive Reason Why Men Are Dogs as
- 2000 · Sidney Poitier: One Bright Light as
- 2000 · Up, Up, and Away as Jim Marshall / Bronze Eagle
- 1999 · Taxman as Peyton Cody
- 1999 · Mercenary II: Thick & Thin as Charlie Love
- 1999 · Jackie's Back! as Robert Townsend
- 1999 · Love Songs as Champ
- 1999 · Joseph's Gift as James Saunders
- 1998 · Hollywood Squares as
- 1997 · Stuart Hall: Representation & the Media as Archive Footage (Hollywood Shuffle)
- 1995 · Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child as Rumpelstiltskin (voice)
- 1995 · The Parent 'Hood as Robert Peterson
- 1994 · The Legend of Dolemite! Bigger & Badder as Self
- 1993 · The Meteor Man as Jefferson Reed
- 1991 · The Carol Burnett Show as
- 1991 · The Five Heartbeats as Duck
- 1990 · Robin Harris: One Night Stand as Bum #3
- 1989 · Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 4 as
- 1989 · Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 3 as
- 1989 · The Mighty Quinn as Maubee
- 1989 · That's Adequate as Standup Comic
- 1988 · I'm Gonna Git You Sucka as Minor Role (uncredited)
- 1988 · Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 2 as
- 1987 · Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 1 as
- 1987 · Uptown Comedy Express as
- 1987 · Hollywood Shuffle as Bobby Taylor
- 1986 · Ratboy as Manny
- 1986 · Rodney Dangerfield: It's Not Easy Bein' Me as himself
- 1986 · Odd Jobs as Dwight
- 1985 · Amazing Stories as Billy Burliss
- 1985 · American Flyers as Jerome
- 1984 · A Soldier's Story as Corporal Ellis
- 1984 · Streets of Fire as The Sorels - Lester
- 1982 · In Love with an Older Woman as James
- 1981 · Senior Trip as Randy
- 1980 · Willie and Phil as Thin Boy
- 1979 · Women at West Point as Russell Baker
- 1979 · The Warriors as Baseball Fury (uncredited)
- 1976 · The Monkey Hustle as Musician
- 1975 · Cooley High as Basketball Player in Gym Class
- 1972 · M*A*S*H as Patient