Robert Townsend
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.
Acted in
The Bear
2022
as Emmanuel Adamu
A Walk with Charles Burnett
2019
as Self
Black Lightning
2018
as Dr. Napier Frank
Playin' for Love
2015
as Coach Banks
Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire
2012
as Vampire Actor #1 (voice)
Directors on Directing
2009
as Self
Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy
2009
as Self
Of Boys and Men
2008
as Holden Cole
Tao of The Golden Mask
2007
Edge of Outside
2006
as Bobby Taylor (archive footage)
Black in the 80s
2005
as Self
Black Listed
2003
as Alan Chambers
Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!!
2003
as Self
I Was a Teenage Faust
2002
as Mr. Five
Undercover Brother
2002
as Mr. UB
Book of Love: The Definitive Reason Why Men Are Dogs
2002
Sidney Poitier: One Bright Light
2000
Up, Up, and Away
2000
as Jim Marshall / Bronze Eagle
Taxman
1999
as Peyton Cody
Mercenary II: Thick & Thin
1999
as Charlie Love
Jackie's Back!
1999
as Robert Townsend
Love Songs
1999
as Champ
Joseph's Gift
1999
as James Saunders
Hollywood Squares
1998
Stuart Hall: Representation & the Media
1997
as Archive Footage (Hollywood Shuffle)
Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child
1995
as Rumpelstiltskin (voice)
The Parent 'Hood
1995
as Robert Peterson
The Legend of Dolemite! Bigger & Badder
1994
as Self
The Meteor Man
1993
as Jefferson Reed
The Carol Burnett Show
1991
The Five Heartbeats
1991
as Duck
Robin Harris: One Night Stand
1990
as Bum #3
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 4
1989
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 3
1989
The Mighty Quinn
1989
as Maubee
That's Adequate
1989
as Standup Comic
I'm Gonna Git You Sucka
1988
as Minor Role (uncredited)
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 2
1988
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 1
1987
Uptown Comedy Express
1987
Hollywood Shuffle
1987
as Bobby Taylor
Ratboy
1986
as Manny
Rodney Dangerfield: It's Not Easy Bein' Me
1986
as himself
Odd Jobs
1986
as Dwight
Amazing Stories
1985
as Billy Burliss
American Flyers
1985
as Jerome
A Soldier's Story
1984
as Corporal Ellis
Streets of Fire
1984
as The Sorels - Lester
In Love with an Older Woman
1982
as James
Senior Trip
1981
as Randy
Willie and Phil
1980
as Thin Boy
Women at West Point
1979
as Russell Baker
The Warriors
1979
as Baseball Fury (uncredited)
The Monkey Hustle
1976
as Musician
Cooley High
1975
as Basketball Player in Gym Class
M*A*S*H
1972
as Patient