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 many more.
Known For
M*A*S*H
Hollywood Squares
The Bear
Amazing Stories
Black Lightning
Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child
The Parent 'Hood
Before
All Movies (49)
- The 51st AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Eddie Murphy2026 · as Self
- A Walk with Charles Burnett2019 · as Self
- Playin' for Love2015 · as Coach Banks
- Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire2012 · as Vampire Actor #1 (voice)
- Directors on Directing2009 · as Self
- Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy2009 · as Self
- Of Boys and Men2008 · as Holden Cole
- Tao of The Golden Mask2007
- Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!!2003 · as Self
- Black Listed2003 · as Alan Chambers
- I Was a Teenage Faust2002 · as Mr. Five
- Undercover Brother2002 · as Mr. UB
- Book of Love: The Definitive Reason Why Men Are Dogs2002
- Sidney Poitier: One Bright Light2000
- Up, Up, and Away2000 · as Jim Marshall / Bronze Eagle
- Taxman1999 · as Peyton Cody
- Mercenary II: Thick & Thin1999 · as Charlie Love
- Jackie's Back!1999 · as Robert Townsend
- Love Songs1999 · as Champ
- Joseph's Gift1999 · as James Saunders
- Stuart Hall: Representation & the Media1997 · as Archive Footage (Hollywood Shuffle)
- The Legend of Dolemite! Bigger & Badder1994 · as Self
- The Meteor Man1993 · as Jefferson Reed
- The Five Heartbeats1991 · as Duck
- Robin Harris: One Night Stand1990 · as Bum #3
- Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 41989
- Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 31989
- The Mighty Quinn1989 · as Maubee
- That's Adequate1989 · as Standup Comic
- I'm Gonna Git You Sucka1988 · as Minor Role (uncredited)
- Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 21988
- Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute1988 · as Self
- Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 11987
- Uptown Comedy Express1987
- Hollywood Shuffle1987 · as Bobby Taylor
- Ratboy1986 · as Manny
- Rodney Dangerfield: It's Not Easy Bein' Me1986 · as Self
- Odd Jobs1986 · as Dwight
- American Flyers1985 · as Jerome
- A Soldier's Story1984 · as Corporal Ellis
- Streets of Fire1984 · as The Sorels - Lester
- In Love with an Older Woman1982 · as James
- Senior Trip1981 · as Randy
- Willie & Phil1980 · as Thin Boy
- Women at West Point1979 · as Russell Baker
- The Warriors1979 · as Baseball Fury (uncredited)
- The Monkey Hustle1976 · as Musician
- Mahogany1975 · as Extra (uncredited)
- Cooley High1975 · as Basketball Player in Gym Class
All TV Shows (13)
- Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man!2026 · as Self - Comedian & Filmmaker
- Before2024 · as Jackson
- The Bear2022 · as Emmanuel Adamu
- Black Lightning2018 · as Dr. Napier Frank
- Black in the 80s2005 · as Self
- Motown Live1998 · as Self - Host
- Hollywood Squares1998 · as Self - Panelist
- Great Drives1996 · as Self - Host
- Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child1995 · as Rumpelstiltskin (voice)
- The Parent 'Hood1995 · as Robert Peterson
- The Carol Burnett Show1991
- Amazing Stories1985 · as Billy Burliss
- M*A*S*H1972 · as Patient