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 m…

Movies & TV Shows

1. The Warriors (1979) — Baseball Fury (uncredited)
2. The Bear (2022) — Emmanuel Adamu
3. Black Lightning (2018) — Dr. Napier Frank
4. M*A*S*H (1972) — Patient
5. Streets of Fire (1984) — The Sorels - Lester
6. Undercover Brother (2002) — Mr. UB
7. Amazing Stories (1985) — Billy Burliss
8. I'm Gonna Git You Sucka (1988) — Minor Role (uncredited)
9. Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire (2012) — Vampire Actor #1 (voice)
10. A Soldier's Story (1984) — Corporal Ellis
11. The Meteor Man (1993) — Jefferson Reed
12. The Mighty Quinn (1989) — Maubee
13. American Flyers (1985) — Jerome
14. Hollywood Shuffle (1987) — Bobby Taylor
15. The Five Heartbeats (1991) — Duck
16. Cooley High (1975) — Basketball Player in Gym Class
17. Before (2024) — Jackson
18. Up, Up, and Away (2000) — Jim Marshall / Bronze Eagle
19. Mahogany (1975) — Extra (uncredited)
20. Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man! (2026) — Self - Comedian & Filmmaker
21. Willie & Phil (1980) — Thin Boy
22. The Parent 'Hood (1995) — Robert Peterson
23. Ratboy (1986) — Manny
24. Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child (1995) — Rumpelstiltskin (voice)
25. Odd Jobs (1986) — Dwight
26. The Monkey Hustle (1976) — Musician
27. Jackie's Back! (1999) — Robert Townsend
28. Senior Trip (1981) — Randy
29. That's Adequate (1989) — Standup Comic
30. Hollywood Squares (1998) — Self - Panelist
31. Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!! (2003) — Self
32. Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy (2009) — Self
33. Rodney Dangerfield: It's Not Easy Bein' Me (1986) — Self
34. Of Boys and Men (2008) — Holden Cole
35. Taxman (1999) — Peyton Cody
36. Mercenary II: Thick & Thin (1999) — Charlie Love
37. The Carol Burnett Show (1991)
38. Black Listed (2003) — Alan Chambers
39. I Was a Teenage Faust (2002) — Mr. Five
40. In Love with an Older Woman (1982) — James

Directed

1. Black Lightning (2018) — Director
2. Kaleidoscope (2023) — Director
3. Eddie Murphy Raw (1987) — Director
4. Power Book IV: Force (2022) — Director
5. The Wonder Years (2021) — Director
6. The Meteor Man (1993) — Director
7. Hollywood Shuffle (1987) — Director
8. B.A.P.S (1997) — Director
9. The Five Heartbeats (1991) — Director
10. Colin in Black and White (2021) — Director
11. Up, Up, and Away (2000) — Director
12. Carmen: A Hip Hopera (2001) — Director
13. South of Nowhere (2005) — Director
14. Poppa's House (2024) — Director
15. Holiday Heart (2000) — Director
16. Phantom Punch (2008) — Director
17. Little Richard (2000) — Director
18. Bill Cosby: Far From Finished (2013) — Director
19. Ms. Pat: Y'all Wanna Hear Something Crazy? (2022) — Director
20. The Parent 'Hood (1995) — Director
21. Jackie's Back! (1999) — Director
22. 10,000 Black Men Named George (2002) — Director
23. Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy (2009) — Director
24. In the Hive (2012) — Director
25. Livin' for Love: The Natalie Cole Story (2000) — Director
26. Black Listed (2003) — Director
27. Love Songs (1999) — Director
28. Love Is___ (2018) — Director
29. Playin' for Love (2015) — Director
30. From Behind Closed Doors (1999) — Director
31. Diary of a Single Mom (2009) — Director
32. Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 2 (1988) — Director
33. Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 1 (1987) — Director
34. Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 3 (1989) — Director
35. Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 4 (1989) — Director
36. Making The Five Heartbeats (2018) — Director
37. A Walk with Charles Burnett (2019) — Director