Robert Townsend
Acting
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
Acting62
tvMel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man!
2026
Self - Comedian & Filmmaker
tvBefore
2024
Jackson
tvThe Bear
2022
Emmanuel Adamu
tvBlack Lightning
2018
Dr. Napier Frank
moviePlayin' for Love
2015
Coach Banks
movieScooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire
2012
Vampire Actor #1 (voice)
movieOf Boys and Men
2008
Holden Cole
movieBlack Listed
2003
Alan Chambers
movieI Was a Teenage Faust
2002
Mr. Five
movieUp, Up, and Away
2000
Jim Marshall / Bronze Eagle
movieTaxman
1999
Peyton Cody
movieMercenary II: Thick & Thin
1999
Charlie Love
movieJackie's Back!
1999
Robert Townsend
movieLove Songs
1999
Champ
movieJoseph's Gift
1999
James Saunders
Motown Live
1998
Self - Host
tvHollywood Squares
1998
Self - Panelist
movieStuart Hall: Representation & the Media
1997
Archive Footage (Hollywood Shuffle)
Great Drives
1996
Self - Host
tvHappily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child
1995
Rumpelstiltskin (voice)
tvThe Parent 'Hood
1995
Robert Peterson
movieThe Meteor Man
1993
Jefferson Reed
movieThat's Adequate
1989
Standup Comic
movieI'm Gonna Git You Sucka
1988
Minor Role (uncredited)
movieHollywood Shuffle
1987
Bobby Taylor
movieRatboy
1986
Manny
movieOdd Jobs
1986
Dwight
tvAmazing Stories
1985
Billy Burliss
movieAmerican Flyers
1985
Jerome
movieA Soldier's Story
1984
Corporal Ellis
movieStreets of Fire
1984
The Sorels - Lester
movieSenior Trip
1981
Randy
movieWillie & Phil
1980
Thin Boy
movieWomen at West Point
1979
Russell Baker
movieThe Warriors
1979
Baseball Fury (uncredited)
movieThe Monkey Hustle
1976
Musician
movieMahogany
1975
Extra (uncredited)
movieCooley High
1975
Basketball Player in Gym Class
tvM*A*S*H
1972
Patient
Directing37
tvPoppa's House
2024
Director
tvKaleidoscope
2023
Director
tvPower Book IV: Force
2022
Director
tvColin in Black and White
2021
Director
tvThe Wonder Years
2021
Director
tvLove Is___
2018
Director
tvBlack Lightning
2018
Director
moviePlayin' for Love
2015
Director
movieIn the Hive
2012
Director
movieDiary of a Single Mom
2009
Director
moviePhantom Punch
2008
Director
tvSouth of Nowhere
2005
Director
movieBlack Listed
2003
Director
movieCarmen: A Hip Hopera
2001
Director
movieHoliday Heart
2000
Director
movieLittle Richard
2000
Director
movieUp, Up, and Away
2000
Director
movieJackie's Back!
1999
Director
movieLove Songs
1999
Director
movieB.A.P.S
1997
Director
tvThe Parent 'Hood
1995
Director
movieThe Meteor Man
1993
Director
movieThe Five Heartbeats
1991
Director
movieEddie Murphy Raw
1987
Director
movieHollywood Shuffle
1987
Director
Writing10
movieThe Meteor Man
1993
Screenplay
Production9
moviePlayin' for Love
2015
Producer
movieOf Boys and Men
2008
Producer
tvThe Parent 'Hood
1995
Producer
movieThe Meteor Man
1993
Producer
movieThe Five Heartbeats
1991
Producer
movieRobert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 4
1989
Executive Producer
movieRobert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 3
1989
Executive Producer
movieHollywood Shuffle
1987
Producer