About

Known credits:
97
Birthday:
1957-02-06
Place of birth:
Chicago, Illinois, USA
Website:
Click here

Robert Townsend

Overview

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

Acting
2019 A Walk with Charles Burnett Actor Self N/A
N/A
2015 Playin' for Love Actor Coach Banks 58
Average
2012 Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire Actor Vampire Actor #1 (voice) 63
Fair
2009 Directors on Directing Actor Self N/A
N/A
2009 Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy Actor Self 59
Average
2008 Of Boys and Men Actor Holden Cole 59
Average
2007 Tao of The Golden Mask Actor N/A
N/A
2006 Edge of Outside Actor Bobby Taylor (archive footage) 58
Average
2005 Black in the 80s Actor Self N/A
N/A
2003 Black Listed Actor Alan Chambers 58
Average
2003 Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!! Actor Self 59
Average
2002 I Was a Teenage Faust Actor Mr. Five 58
Average
2002 Undercover Brother Actor Mr. UB 58
Average
2002 Book of Love: The Definitive Reason Why Men Are Dogs Actor 59
Average
2000 Sidney Poitier: One Bright Light Actor 59
Average
2000 Up, Up, and Away Actor Jim Marshall / Bronze Eagle 58
Average
1999 Taxman Actor Peyton Cody 58
Average
1999 Mercenary II: Thick & Thin Actor Charlie Love 59
Average
1999 Jackie's Back! Actor Robert Townsend 59
Average
1999 Love Songs Actor Champ 59
Average
1999 Joseph's Gift Actor James Saunders N/A
N/A
1998 Joseph's Gift Actor James Saunders N/A
N/A
1997 Stuart Hall: Representation & the Media Actor Archive Footage (Hollywood Shuffle) 59
Average
1995 The Parent 'Hood Actor Robert Peterson 69
Fair
1994 The Legend of Dolemite! Bigger & Badder Actor Self N/A
N/A
1993 The Meteor Man Actor Jefferson Reed 58
Average
1991 The Carol Burnett Show Actor 69
Fair
1991 The Five Heartbeats Actor Duck 60
Fair
1990 Robin Harris: One Night Stand Actor Bum #3 N/A
N/A
1989 Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 4 Actor N/A
N/A
1989 Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 3 Actor N/A
N/A
1989 The Mighty Quinn Actor Maubee 59
Average
1989 That's Adequate Actor Standup Comic 58
Average
1988 I'm Gonna Git You Sucka Actor Minor Role (uncredited) 60
Fair
1988 Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 2 Actor N/A
N/A
1987 Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 1 Actor N/A
N/A
1987 Uptown Comedy Express Actor N/A
N/A
1987 Hollywood Shuffle Actor Bobby Taylor 59
Average
1986 Ratboy Actor Manny 58
Average
1986 Rodney Dangerfield: It's Not Easy Bein' Me Actor himself 59
Average
1986 Odd Jobs Actor Dwight 58
Average
1985 American Flyers Actor Jerome 59
Average
1984 A Soldier's Story Actor Corporal Ellis 61
Fair
1984 Streets of Fire Actor The Sorels - Lester 63
Fair
1982 In Love with an Older Woman Actor James 59
Average
1981 Senior Trip Actor Randy 58
Average
1980 Willie and Phil Actor Thin Boy 58
Average
1979 Women at West Point Actor Russell Baker N/A
N/A
1979 The Warriors Actor Baseball Fury (uncredited) 73
Good
1976 The Monkey Hustle Actor Musician 59
Average
1975 Cooley High Actor Basketball Player in Gym Class 59
Average

Directing
2022 Ms. Pat: Y'all Wanna Hear Something Crazy? Directing Director 58
Average
2019 A Walk with Charles Burnett Directing Director N/A
N/A
2018 Making The Five Heartbeats Directing Director N/A
N/A
2015 Playin' for Love Directing Director 58
Average
2013 Bill Cosby: Far From Finished Directing Director 59
Average
2012 In the Hive Directing Director 58
Average
2009 Diary of a Single Mom Directing Director 59
Average
2009 Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy Directing Director 59
Average
2008 Phantom Punch Directing Director 58
Average
2003 Black Listed Directing Director 58
Average
2002 10,000 Black Men Named George Directing Director 58
Average
2001 Carmen: A Hip Hopera Directing Director 59
Average
2000 Holiday Heart Directing Director 59
Average
2000 Livin' for Love: The Natalie Cole Story Directing Director 59
Average
2000 Little Richard Directing Director 59
Average
2000 Up, Up, and Away Directing Director 58
Average
1999 From Behind Closed Doors Directing Director N/A
N/A
1999 Jackie's Back! Directing Director 59
Average
1999 Love Songs Directing Director 59
Average
1997 B.A.P.S Directing Director 58
Average
1993 The Meteor Man Directing Director 58
Average
1991 The Five Heartbeats Directing Director 60
Fair
1989 Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 4 Directing Director N/A
N/A
1989 Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 3 Directing Director N/A
N/A
1988 Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 2 Directing Director N/A
N/A
1987 Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 1 Directing Director N/A
N/A
1987 Eddie Murphy Raw Directing Director 64
Fair
1987 Hollywood Shuffle Directing Director 59
Average

Writing
2015 Playin' for Love Writing Writer 58
Average
1993 The Meteor Man Writing Screenplay 58
Average
1991 The Five Heartbeats Writing Writer 60
Fair
1989 Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 4 Writing Writer N/A
N/A
1989 Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 3 Writing Writer N/A
N/A
1988 Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 2 Writing Writer N/A
N/A
1987 Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 1 Writing Writer N/A
N/A
1987 Uptown Comedy Express Writing Writer N/A
N/A
1987 Hollywood Shuffle Writing Writer 59
Average
1986 Rodney Dangerfield: It's Not Easy Bein' Me Writing Writer 59
Average

Production
2008 Of Boys and Men Production Producer 59
Average
1995 The Parent 'Hood Production Producer 69
Fair
1993 The Meteor Man Production Producer 58
Average
1991 The Five Heartbeats Production Producer 60
Fair
1989 Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 4 Production Executive Producer N/A
N/A
1989 Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 3 Production Executive Producer N/A
N/A
1987 Hollywood Shuffle Production Producer 59
Average

Crew
2013 Bill Cosby: Far From Finished Crew Thanks 59
Average