Robert Townsend

Personal Info

Known For

Acting

Known Credits

58

Gender

Male

Birthday

1957-02-06 (68 years old)

Place of Birth

Chicago, Illinois, USA

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

  • Hollywood Squares

    Hollywood Squares

  • The Bear

    The Bear

  • M*A*S*H

    M*A*S*H

  • Amazing Stories

    Amazing Stories

  • Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child

    Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child

  • Black Lightning

    Black Lightning

  • Hollywood Shuffle

    Hollywood Shuffle

  • Undercover Brother

    Undercover Brother

  • The Parent 'Hood

    The Parent 'Hood

  • The Warriors

    The Warriors

  • Mahogany

    Mahogany

  • Taxman

    Taxman

  • Ratboy

    Ratboy

  • I Was a Teenage Faust

    I Was a Teenage Faust

  • That's Adequate

    That's Adequate

  • Love Songs

    Love Songs

  • Before

    Before

  • Sidney Poitier: One Bright Light

    Sidney Poitier: One Bright Light

  • Mercenary II: Thick & Thin

    Mercenary II: Thick & Thin

  • I'm Gonna Git You Sucka

    I'm Gonna Git You Sucka

  • Cooley High

    Cooley High

  • Streets of Fire

    Streets of Fire

  • Robin Harris: One Night Stand

    Robin Harris: One Night Stand

  • Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire

    Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire

  • Black in the 80s

    Black in the 80s

  • A Soldier's Story

    A Soldier's Story

  • The Meteor Man

    The Meteor Man

  • The Carol Burnett Show

    The Carol Burnett Show

  • American Flyers

    American Flyers

  • Joseph's Gift

    Joseph's Gift

  • The Five Heartbeats

    The Five Heartbeats

  • The Mighty Quinn

    The Mighty Quinn

  • Jackie's Back!

    Jackie's Back!

  • Women at West Point

    Women at West Point

  • Black Listed

    Black Listed

  • Up, Up, and Away

    Up, Up, and Away

  • Willie & Phil

    Willie & Phil

  • Book of Love: The Definitive Reason Why Men Are Dogs

    Book of Love: The Definitive Reason Why Men Are Dogs

  • The Monkey Hustle

    The Monkey Hustle

  • Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!!

    Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!!

  • Motown Live

    Motown Live

  • Senior Trip

    Senior Trip

  • In Love with an Older Woman

    In Love with an Older Woman

  • The Legend of Dolemite! Bigger & Badder

    The Legend of Dolemite! Bigger & Badder

  • Uptown Comedy Express

    Uptown Comedy Express

  • Playin' for Love

    Playin' for Love

  • Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 2

    Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 2

  • Odd Jobs

    Odd Jobs

  • Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 3

    Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 3

  • Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy

    Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy

  • Stuart Hall: Representation & the Media

    Stuart Hall: Representation & the Media

  • Of Boys and Men

    Of Boys and Men

  • A Walk with Charles Burnett

    A Walk with Charles Burnett

  • Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 1

    Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 1

  • Rodney Dangerfield: It's Not Easy Bein' Me

    Rodney Dangerfield: It's Not Easy Bein' Me

  • Directors on Directing

    Directors on Directing

  • Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 4

    Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 4

  • Tao of The Golden Mask

    Tao of The Golden Mask