Robert Townsend

Personal Info

Known For

Acting

Known Credits

57

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

  • M*A*S*H

    M*A*S*H

  • The Bear

    The Bear

  • Amazing Stories

    Amazing Stories

  • Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child

    Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child

  • Black Lightning

    Black Lightning

  • The Parent 'Hood

    The Parent 'Hood

  • The Meteor Man

    The Meteor Man

  • The Warriors

    The Warriors

  • Before

    Before

  • A Soldier's Story

    A Soldier's Story

  • Cooley High

    Cooley High

  • The Mighty Quinn

    The Mighty Quinn

  • Playin' for Love

    Playin' for Love

  • Streets of Fire

    Streets of Fire

  • Willie & Phil

    Willie & Phil

  • Jackie's Back!

    Jackie's Back!

  • Of Boys and Men

    Of Boys and Men

  • Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 3

    Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 3

  • Sidney Poitier: One Bright Light

    Sidney Poitier: One Bright Light

  • American Flyers

    American Flyers

  • Joseph's Gift

    Joseph's Gift

  • Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 4

    Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 4

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

    Book of Love: The Definitive Reason Why Men Are Dogs

  • Undercover Brother

    Undercover Brother

  • Up, Up, and Away

    Up, Up, and Away

  • I'm Gonna Git You Sucka

    I'm Gonna Git You Sucka

  • The Monkey Hustle

    The Monkey Hustle

  • The Five Heartbeats

    The Five Heartbeats

  • Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 1

    Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 1

  • Taxman

    Taxman

  • Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire

    Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire

  • Hollywood Shuffle

    Hollywood Shuffle

  • Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 2

    Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 2

  • Directors on Directing

    Directors on Directing

  • The Carol Burnett Show

    The Carol Burnett Show

  • Black in the 80s

    Black in the 80s

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

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

  • That's Adequate

    That's Adequate

  • Ratboy

    Ratboy

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

    Rodney Dangerfield: It's Not Easy Bein' Me

  • Robin Harris: One Night Stand

    Robin Harris: One Night Stand

  • I Was a Teenage Faust

    I Was a Teenage Faust

  • Women at West Point

    Women at West Point

  • Love Songs

    Love Songs

  • The Legend of Dolemite! Bigger & Badder

    The Legend of Dolemite! Bigger & Badder

  • Tao of The Golden Mask

    Tao of The Golden Mask

  • Motown Live

    Motown Live

  • In Love with an Older Woman

    In Love with an Older Woman

  • Black Listed

    Black Listed

  • Senior Trip

    Senior Trip

  • Uptown Comedy Express

    Uptown Comedy Express

  • A Walk with Charles Burnett

    A Walk with Charles Burnett

  • Mercenary II: Thick & Thin

    Mercenary II: Thick & Thin

  • Odd Jobs

    Odd Jobs

  • 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