Robert Townsend
Acting
1957-02-06 · Chicago, Illinois, USA
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.
Filmography
TheatersAFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Eddie Murphy
2026 · Movie
Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man!
2026 · Series
Before
2024 · Series
Poppa's House
2024 · Series
Kaleidoscope
2023 · Series
The Bear
2022 · Series
Ms. Pat: Y'all Wanna Hear Something Crazy?
2022 · Movie
Power Book IV: Force
2022 · Series
Colin in Black and White
2021 · Series
The Wonder Years
2021 · Series
A Walk with Charles Burnett
2019 · Movie
Making The Five Heartbeats
2018 · Movie
Love Is___
2018 · Series
Black Lightning
2018 · Series
Playin' for Love
2015 · Movie
Bill Cosby: Far From Finished
2013 · Movie
In the Hive
2012 · Movie
Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire
2012 · Movie
Directors on Directing
2009 · Movie
Diary of a Single Mom
2009 · Movie
Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy
2009 · Movie
Of Boys and Men
2008 · Movie
Phantom Punch
2008 · Movie
Tao of The Golden Mask
2007 · Movie
South of Nowhere
2005 · Series
Black in the 80s
2005 · Series
Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!!
2003 · Movie
Black Listed
2003 · Movie
I Was a Teenage Faust
2002 · Movie
Undercover Brother
2002 · Movie
10,000 Black Men Named George
2002 · Movie
Book of Love: The Definitive Reason Why Men Are Dogs
2002 · Movie
Carmen: A Hip Hopera
2001 · Movie
Holiday Heart
2000 · Movie
Livin' for Love: The Natalie Cole Story
2000 · Movie
Little Richard
2000 · Movie
Sidney Poitier: One Bright Light
2000 · Movie
Up, Up, and Away
2000 · Movie
Taxman
1999 · Movie
Mercenary II: Thick & Thin
1999 · Movie
From Behind Closed Doors
1999 · Movie
Jackie's Back!
1999 · Movie
Love Songs
1999 · Movie
Joseph's Gift
1999 · Movie
Motown Live
1998 · Series
Hollywood Squares
1998 · Series
B.A.P.S
1997 · Movie
Stuart Hall: Representation & the Media
1997 · Movie
Great Drives
1996 · Series
Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child
1995 · Series
The Parent 'Hood
1995 · Series
The Legend of Dolemite! Bigger & Badder
1994 · Movie
The Meteor Man
1993 · Movie
The Carol Burnett Show
1991 · Series
The Five Heartbeats
1991 · Movie
Robin Harris: One Night Stand
1990 · Movie
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 4
1989 · Movie
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 3
1989 · Movie
The Mighty Quinn
1989 · Movie
That's Adequate
1989 · Movie
I'm Gonna Git You Sucka
1988 · Movie
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 2
1988 · Movie
Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute
1988 · Movie
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 1
1987 · Movie
Eddie Murphy Raw
1987 · Movie
Uptown Comedy Express
1987 · Movie
Hollywood Shuffle
1987 · Movie
Ratboy
1986 · Movie
Rodney Dangerfield: It's Not Easy Bein' Me
1986 · Movie
Odd Jobs
1986 · Movie
Amazing Stories
1985 · Series
American Flyers
1985 · Movie
A Soldier's Story
1984 · Movie
Streets of Fire
1984 · Movie
In Love with an Older Woman
1982 · Movie
Senior Trip
1981 · Movie
Willie & Phil
1980 · Movie
Women at West Point
1979 · Movie
The Warriors
1979 · Movie
The Monkey Hustle
1976 · Movie
Mahogany
1975 · Movie
Cooley High
1975 · Movie
M*A*S*H
1972 · Series
Townsend Television
Series