Robert Townsend
Biography
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.
Personal Details
Movies (35)
Ms. Pat: Y'all Wanna Hear Something Crazy?
Director (Directing)
2022
A Walk with Charles Burnett
as Self
2019
Making The Five Heartbeats
Director (Directing)
2018
Playin' for Love
as Coach Banks
2015
Bill Cosby: Far From Finished
Director (Directing)
2013
In the Hive
Director (Directing)
2012
Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire
as Vampire Actor #1 (voice)
2012
Directors on Directing
as Self
2009
Diary of a Single Mom
Director (Directing)
2009
Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy
as Self
2009
Of Boys and Men
as Holden Cole
2008
Phantom Punch
Director (Directing)
2008
Tao of The Golden Mask
2007
Black Listed
as Alan Chambers
2003
Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!!
as Self
2003
I Was a Teenage Faust
as Mr. Five
2002
Undercover Brother
as Mr. UB
2002
10,000 Black Men Named George
Director (Directing)
2002
Book of Love: The Definitive Reason Why Men Are Dogs
2002
Carmen: A Hip Hopera
Director (Directing)
2001
Livin' for Love: The Natalie Cole Story
Director (Directing)
2000
Holiday Heart
Director (Directing)
2000
Little Richard
Director (Directing)
2000
Sidney Poitier: One Bright Light
2000
Up, Up, and Away
as Jim Marshall / Bronze Eagle
2000
Taxman
as Peyton Cody
1999
Mercenary II: Thick & Thin
as Charlie Love
1999
From Behind Closed Doors
Director (Directing)
1999
Jackie's Back!
as Robert Townsend
1999
Love Songs
as Champ
1999
Joseph's Gift
as James Saunders
1999
B.A.P.S
Director (Directing)
1997
Stuart Hall: Representation & the Media
as Archive Footage (Hollywood Shuffle)
1997
The Legend of Dolemite! Bigger & Badder
as Self
1994
The Meteor Man
as Jefferson Reed
1993
TV Shows (15)
Before
as Jackson
2024
Poppa's House
Director (Directing)
2024
Kaleidoscope
Director (Directing)
2023
The Bear
as Emmanuel Adamu
2022
Power Book IV: Force
Director (Directing)
2022
Colin in Black and White
Director (Directing)
2021
The Wonder Years
Director (Directing)
2021
Black Lightning
as Dr. Napier Frank
2018
South of Nowhere
Director (Directing)
2005
Black in the 80s
as Self
2005
Motown Live
as Self - Host
1998
Hollywood Squares
1998
Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child
as Rumpelstiltskin (voice)
1995
The Parent 'Hood
as Robert Peterson
1995
The Carol Burnett Show
1991