RT
Robert Townsend
Actor, Director, Producer, Writer, Additional CreditsBorn February 6, 1957 (68 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.
Known For
Robert Townsend 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 |
| 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 | Love Songs · as Champ |
| 1999 | Joseph's Gift · as James Saunders |
| 1998 | Taxman · as Peyton Cody |
| 1998 | Hollywood Squares (TV Series) |
| 1998 | Mercenary II: Thick & Thin · as Charlie Love |
| 1997 | The 11th Annual Soul Train Music Awards · as Himeself |
| 1996 | Great Drives (TV Series) · as Host (volume 2: Route 66) |
| 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 | The Carol Burnett Show (1991) (TV Series) |
| 1991 | The Five Heartbeats · as Duck |
| 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 | |
| 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 | American Flyers · as Jerome |
| 1984 | A Soldier's Story · as Corporal Ellis |
| 1984 | Streets of Fire · as The Sorels - Lester |
| 1982 | In Love with an Older Woman · as James |
| 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 (uncredited) |
| 1975 | Cooley High · as Basketball Player In Gym Class |
| 1972 | M*A*S*H (TV Series) · as Patient |
| 2024 | Poppa’s House (TV Series) |
| 2023 | Kaleidoscope (2023) (TV Series) |
| 2022 | The Best Man: The Final Chapters (TV Series) |
| 2022 | |
| 2022 | Power Book IV: Force (TV Series) |
| 2021 | Colin in Black and White (TV Series) |
| 2021 | The Wonder Years (2021) (TV Series) |
| 2019 | American Soul (TV Series) |
| 2018 | |
| 2018 | Love Is___ (TV Series) |
| 2018 | The Last O.G. (TV Series) |
| 2018 | Black Lightning (TV Series) |
| 2013 | |
| 2013 | |
| 2012 | |
| 2009 | Diary of a Single Mom (TV Series) |
| 2009 | |
| 2008 | |
| 2005 | South of Nowhere (TV Series) |
| 2004 | Unfabulous (TV Series) |
| 2003 | |
| 2002 | |
| 2001 | |
| 2000 | |
| 2000 | |
| 2000 | Soul Food (TV Series) |
| 2000 | |
| 2000 | |
| 1999 | |
| 1999 | |
| 1997 | |
| 1995 | The Parent 'Hood (TV Series) |
| 1993 | |
| 1991 | |
| 1991 | |
| 1987 | |
| 1987 | |
| 1987 |
| 2018 | |
| 2013 | |
| 2012 | |
| 2009 | Diary of a Single Mom (TV Series) · as Executive Producer |
| 2008 | |
| 2006 | CeCe Winans Straight Up · as Executive Producer |
| 1995 | The Parent 'Hood (TV Series) |
| 1993 | |
| 1991 | |
| 1991 | The Best of Robert Townsend & His Partners in Crime · as Executive Producer |
| 1987 | Robert Townsend and His Partners in Crime · as Executive Producer |
| 1987 |
| 2018 | |
| 2013 | |
| 1993 | The Meteor Man · as Screenplay |
| 1992 | |
| 1991 | |
| 1991 | |
| 1991 | |
| 1991 | |
| 1987 | |
| 1987 | |
| 1986 | The Late Show Starring Joan Rivers (TV Series) |
| 1986 |
| 2009 | Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy · as Co-Executive Producer |
| 2003 | Black Listed · as Written By |
| 1995 | The Parent 'Hood (TV Series) · as Creator |