Robert Townsend
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- February 6, 1957
- 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.
Filmography
AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Eddie Murphy 2026
as Self
Ms. Pat: Y'all Wanna Hear Something Crazy? 2022
Director
A Walk with Charles Burnett 2019
as Self, Director
Making The Five Heartbeats 2018
Director, Producer
Playin' for Love 2015
as Coach Banks, Director, Writer, Producer
Bill Cosby: Far From Finished 2013
Director, Thanks
In the Hive 2012
Director
Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire 2012
as Vampire Actor #1 (voice)
Directors on Directing 2009
as Self
Diary of a Single Mom 2009
Director
Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy 2009
as Self, Director
Of Boys and Men 2008
as Holden Cole, Producer
Phantom Punch 2008
Director
- Tao of The Golden Mask
Tao of The Golden Mask 2007
Actor
Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!! 2003
as Self
Black Listed 2003
as Alan Chambers, Director
I Was a Teenage Faust 2002
as Mr. Five
Undercover Brother 2002
as Mr. UB
10,000 Black Men Named George 2002
Director
Book of Love: The Definitive Reason Why Men Are Dogs 2002
Actor
Carmen: A Hip Hopera 2001
Director
Holiday Heart 2000
Director
Livin' for Love: The Natalie Cole Story 2000
Director
Little Richard 2000
Director
Sidney Poitier: One Bright Light 2000
Actor
Up, Up, and Away 2000
as Jim Marshall / Bronze Eagle, Director
Taxman 1999
as Peyton Cody
Mercenary II: Thick & Thin 1999
as Charlie Love
From Behind Closed Doors 1999
Director
Jackie's Back! 1999
as Robert Townsend, Director
Love Songs 1999
as Champ, Director
Joseph's Gift 1999
as James Saunders
B.A.P.S 1997
Director
Stuart Hall: Representation & the Media 1997
as Archive Footage (Hollywood Shuffle)
The Legend of Dolemite! Bigger & Badder 1994
as Self
The Meteor Man 1993
as Jefferson Reed, Director, Screenplay, Producer
- A Party For Richard Pryor
A Party For Richard Pryor 1991
as Self
The Five Heartbeats 1991
as Duck, Director, Writer, Producer
Robin Harris: One Night Stand 1990
as Bum #3
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 4 1989
Actor, Executive Producer, Director, Writer
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 3 1989
Actor, Writer, Executive Producer, Director
The Mighty Quinn 1989
as Maubee
That's Adequate 1989
as Standup Comic
I'm Gonna Git You Sucka 1988
as Minor Role (uncredited)
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 2 1988
Actor, Director, Writer
Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute 1988
as Self
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 1 1987
Actor, Director, Writer
Eddie Murphy Raw 1987
Director
Uptown Comedy Express 1987
Actor, Writer
Hollywood Shuffle 1987
as Bobby Taylor, Director, Writer, Producer
Ratboy 1986
as Manny
Rodney Dangerfield: It's Not Easy Bein' Me 1986
as Self, Writer
Odd Jobs 1986
as Dwight
American Flyers 1985
as Jerome
A Soldier's Story 1984
as Corporal Ellis
Streets of Fire 1984
as The Sorels - Lester
In Love with an Older Woman 1982
as James
Senior Trip 1981
as Randy
Willie & Phil 1980
as Thin Boy
Women at West Point 1979
as Russell Baker
The Warriors 1979
as Baseball Fury (uncredited)
The Monkey Hustle 1976
as Musician
Mahogany 1975
as Extra (uncredited)
Cooley High 1975
as Basketball Player in Gym Class
Credits from TMDB.