Known For
Acting
Born
Feb 06, 1957
Place of Birth
Chicago, Illinois, USA
Credits
84 titles
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
Filmography
AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Eddie Murphy
Self
Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man!
Self - Comedian & Filmmaker
Before
Jackson
Poppa's House
Director
Kaleidoscope
Director
The Bear
Emmanuel Adamu
Ms. Pat: Y'all Wanna Hear Something Crazy?
Director
Power Book IV: Force
Director
Colin in Black and White
Director
The Wonder Years
Director
A Walk with Charles Burnett
Self
Making The Five Heartbeats
Director
Love Is___
Director
Black Lightning
Dr. Napier Frank
Playin' for Love
Coach Banks
Bill Cosby: Far From Finished
Director
In the Hive
Director
Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire
Vampire Actor #1 (voice)
Directors on Directing
Self
Diary of a Single Mom
Director
Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy
Self
Of Boys and Men
Holden Cole
Phantom Punch
Director
Tao of The Golden Mask
South of Nowhere
Director
Black in the 80s
Self
Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!!
Self
Black Listed
Alan Chambers
I Was a Teenage Faust
Mr. Five
Undercover Brother
Mr. UB
10,000 Black Men Named George
Director
Book of Love: The Definitive Reason Why Men Are Dogs
Carmen: A Hip Hopera
Director
Holiday Heart
Director
Livin' for Love: The Natalie Cole Story
Director
Little Richard
Director
Sidney Poitier: One Bright Light
Up, Up, and Away
Jim Marshall / Bronze Eagle
Taxman
Peyton Cody
Mercenary II: Thick & Thin
Charlie Love
From Behind Closed Doors
Director
Jackie's Back!
Robert Townsend
Love Songs
Champ
Joseph's Gift
James Saunders
Motown Live
Self - Host
Hollywood Squares
Self - Panelist
B.A.P.S
Director
Stuart Hall: Representation & the Media
Archive Footage (Hollywood Shuffle)
Great Drives
Self - Host
Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child
Rumpelstiltskin (voice)