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

  • M*A*S*H

    M*A*S*H

  • The Bear

    The Bear

  • Hollywood Squares

    Hollywood Squares

  • Black Lightning

    Black Lightning

  • Amazing Stories

    Amazing Stories

  • Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child

    Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child

  • The Warriors

    The Warriors

  • The Parent 'Hood

    The Parent 'Hood

  • Taxman

    Taxman

  • Cooley High

    Cooley High

  • Before

    Before

  • Undercover Brother

    Undercover Brother

  • Love Songs

    Love Songs

  • Willie & Phil

    Willie & Phil

  • American Flyers

    American Flyers

  • A Soldier's Story

    A Soldier's Story

  • Mahogany

    Mahogany

  • Hollywood Shuffle

    Hollywood Shuffle

  • Streets of Fire

    Streets of Fire

  • Ratboy

    Ratboy

  • The Five Heartbeats

    The Five Heartbeats

  • The Mighty Quinn

    The Mighty Quinn

  • The Meteor Man

    The Meteor Man

  • Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire

    Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire

  • Up, Up, and Away

    Up, Up, and Away

  • Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 3

    Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 3

  • I'm Gonna Git You Sucka

    I'm Gonna Git You Sucka

  • The Legend of Dolemite! Bigger & Badder

    The Legend of Dolemite! Bigger & Badder

  • Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 4

    Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 4

  • Playin' for Love

    Playin' for Love

  • Joseph's Gift

    Joseph's Gift

  • Sidney Poitier: One Bright Light

    Sidney Poitier: One Bright Light

  • The Monkey Hustle

    The Monkey Hustle

  • Black in the 80s

    Black in the 80s

  • Jackie's Back!

    Jackie's Back!

  • That's Adequate

    That's Adequate

  • Directors on Directing

    Directors on Directing

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

    Book of Love: The Definitive Reason Why Men Are Dogs

  • Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 1

    Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 1

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

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

  • Women at West Point

    Women at West Point

  • I Was a Teenage Faust

    I Was a Teenage Faust

  • Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 2

    Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 2

  • The Carol Burnett Show

    The Carol Burnett Show

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

    Rodney Dangerfield: It's Not Easy Bein' Me

  • Of Boys and Men

    Of Boys and Men

  • Robin Harris: One Night Stand

    Robin Harris: One Night Stand

  • Mercenary II: Thick & Thin

    Mercenary II: Thick & Thin

  • Tao of The Golden Mask

    Tao of The Golden Mask

  • A Walk with Charles Burnett

    A Walk with Charles Burnett

  • In Love with an Older Woman

    In Love with an Older Woman

  • Motown Live

    Motown Live

  • Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy

    Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy

  • Odd Jobs

    Odd Jobs

  • Stuart Hall: Representation & the Media

    Stuart Hall: Representation & the Media

  • Senior Trip

    Senior Trip

  • Uptown Comedy Express

    Uptown Comedy Express

  • Black Listed

    Black Listed