Robert Townsend
Personal Info
Known for
Acting
Gender
Male
Birthday
1957-02-06 (68 years old)
Place of Birth
Chicago, Illinois, USA
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.
Known For
Acting
(2019)
A Walk with Charles Burnett
as Self
(2015)
Playin' for Love
as Coach Banks
(2012)
Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire
as Vampire Actor #1 (voice)
(2009)
(2009)
Directors on Directing
as Self
(2008)
Of Boys and Men
as Holden Cole
(2007)
(2006)
Edge of Outside
as Bobby Taylor (archive footage)
(2003)
(2003)
Black Listed
as Alan Chambers
(2002)
Undercover Brother
as Mr. UB
(2002)
I Was a Teenage Faust
as Mr. Five
(2002)
(2000)
Up, Up, and Away
as Jim Marshall / Bronze Eagle
(2000)
(1999)
Jackie's Back!
as Robert Townsend
(1999)
Taxman
as Peyton Cody
(1999)
Joseph's Gift
as James Saunders
(1999)
Love Songs
as Champ
(1999)
Mercenary II: Thick & Thin
as Charlie Love
(1997)
Stuart Hall: Representation & the Media
as Archive Footage (Hollywood Shuffle)
(1994)
(1993)
The Meteor Man
as Jefferson Reed
(1991)
The Five Heartbeats
as Duck
(1990)
Robin Harris: One Night Stand
as Bum #3
(1989)
The Mighty Quinn
as Maubee
(1989)
That's Adequate
as Standup Comic
(1989)
(1989)
(1988)
I'm Gonna Git You Sucka
as Minor Role (uncredited)
(1988)
(1987)
Hollywood Shuffle
as Bobby Taylor
(1987)
(1987)
(1986)
Odd Jobs
as Dwight
(1986)
Ratboy
as Manny
(1986)
(1985)
American Flyers
as Jerome
(1984)
Streets of Fire
as The Sorels - Lester
(1984)
A Soldier's Story
as Corporal Ellis
(1982)
In Love with an Older Woman
as James
(1981)
Senior Trip
as Randy
(1980)
Willie and Phil
as Thin Boy
(1979)
The Warriors
as Baseball Fury (uncredited)
(1979)
Women at West Point
as Russell Baker
(1976)
The Monkey Hustle
as Musician
(1975)
Cooley High
as Basketball Player in Gym Class
Crew
(2022)
(2019)
A Walk with Charles Burnett
Director
(2018)
Making The Five Heartbeats
Director
(2015)
Playin' for Love
Director, Writer
(2013)
Bill Cosby: Far From Finished
Director, Thanks
(2012)
In the Hive
Director
(2009)
(2009)
Diary of a Single Mom
Director
(2008)
Phantom Punch
Director
(2008)
Of Boys and Men
Producer
(2003)
Black Listed
Director
(2002)
10,000 Black Men Named George
Director
(2001)
Carmen: A Hip Hopera
Director
(2000)
Little Richard
Director
(2000)
Up, Up, and Away
Director
(2000)
(2000)
Holiday Heart
Director
(1999)
From Behind Closed Doors
Director
(1999)
Jackie's Back!
Director
(1999)
Love Songs
Director
(1997)
B.A.P.S
Director
(1993)
The Meteor Man
Screenplay, Producer, Director
(1991)
The Five Heartbeats
Director, Writer, Producer
(1989)
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 3
Executive Producer, Director, Writer
(1989)
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 4
Executive Producer, Director, Writer
(1988)
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 2
Director, Writer
(1987)
Hollywood Shuffle
Director, Writer, Producer
(1987)
Eddie Murphy Raw
Director
(1987)
Uptown Comedy Express
Writer
(1987)
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 1
Writer, Director
(1986)