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Photo of Robert Townsend

Robert Townsend

Actor, Director, Producer, Writer, Additional Credits
Born February 6, 1957 (67 years)
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.
Movies & Shows on Plex
  • American Flyers
  • Phantom Punch
  • Love Songs
  • TV in Black: The First Fifty Years
Known For
  • Eddie Murphy: Raw
  • Kaleidoscope (2023)
  • The Meteor Man
  • Colin in Black and White
  • Hollywood Shuffle
  • B*A*P*S
  • The Five Heartbeats
  • Black Lightning
  • A Soldier's Story
  • South of Nowhere
  • Up, Up, and Away!
  • Carmen: A Hip Hopera
  • The Parent 'Hood
  • The Best Man: The Final Chapters
  • Little Richard
  • American Flyers
  • Phantom Punch
  • Power Book IV: Force
  • Jackie's Back!
  • The Mighty Quinn
  • Bill Cosby: Far from Finished
  • In the Hive
  • I Was a Teenage Faust
  • The Last O.G.

Filmography

2024
Before (2024) (TV Series) · as Jackson
2022
The Bear (TV Series) · as Emmanuel Adamu
2018
Black Lightning (TV Series) · as Dr. Napier Frank
2013
Playin' for Love · as Coach Banks
2012
Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire · as Vampire Actor #1 (voice)
2010
2008
Of Boys and Men · as Holden Cole
2006
Edge of Outside · as Bobby Taylor (archive Footage)
2004
2003
Black Listed · as Alan Chambers
2002
I Was a Teenage Faust · as Mr. Five
2002
Undercover Brother · as Mr. Ub
2002
2000
2000
Up, Up, and Away! · as Jim Marshall / Bronze Eagle
1999
1999
Joseph's Gift · as James Saunders
1998
Taxman · as Peyton Cody
1998
1998
Mercenary II: Thick & Thin · as Charlie Love
1997
1997
Representation and the Media · as Archive Footage (hollywood Shuffle)
1996
Great Drives (TV Series) · as Host (volume 2: Route 66)
1995
Bliss · as Dr. Barry Sullivan
1995
Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child (TV Series) · as Rumpelstiltskin (voice)
1995
The Parent 'Hood (TV Series) · as Robert Peterson
1993
The Meteor Man · as Jefferson Reed
1991
1991
1989
The Mighty Quinn · as Maubee
1989
One Night Stand (TV Series) · as Bum #3
1989
That's Adequate · as Standup Comic
1988
I'm Gonna Git You Sucka · as Minor Role (uncredited)
1987
Hollywood Shuffle · as Bobby Taylor
1986
Ratboy · as Manny
1986
Odd Jobs · as Dwight
1985
American Masters (TV Series) · as Director
1985
Amazing Stories (1985) (TV Series) · as Billy Burliss
1985
1984
A Soldier's Story · as Corporal Ellis
1984
Streets of Fire · as The Sorels - Lester
1982
1981
Senior Trip · as Randy
1980
Willie & Phil · as Thin Boy
1979
Women at West Point · as Russell Baker
1979
The Warriors · as Baseball Fury (uncredited)
1976
The Monkey Hu$tle · as Musician
1975
Mahogany · as Extra
1975
Cooley High · as Basketball Player In Gym Class
1972
M*A*S*H (TV Series) · as Patient

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