Robert Townsend
Robert Townsend (born February 6, 1957) is an American actor, comedian, and filmmaker. 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.
Fotos
Películas (64)
AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Eddie Murphy
2026 · Self
Ms. Pat: Y'all Wanna Hear Something Crazy?
2022 · Director
A Walk with Charles Burnett
2019 · Self, Director
Making The Five Heartbeats
2018 · Director, Producer
Playin' for Love
2015 · Coach Banks, Director, Writer, Producer
Bill Cosby: Far From Finished
2013 · Director, Thanks
In the Hive
2012 · Director
Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire
2012 · Vampire Actor #1 (voice)
Directors on Directing
2009 · Self
Diary of a Single Mom
2009 · Director
Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy
2009 · Self, Director
Of Boys and Men
2008 · Holden Cole, Producer
Phantom Punch
2008 · Director
Tao of The Golden Mask
2007
Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!!
2003 · Self
Black Listed
2003 · Alan Chambers, Director
I Was a Teenage Faust
2002 · Mr. Five
Undercover Brother
2002 · Mr. UB
10,000 Black Men Named George
2002 · Director
Book of Love: The Definitive Reason Why Men Are Dogs
2002
Carmen: A Hip Hopera
2001 · Director
Livin' for Love: The Natalie Cole Story
2000 · Director
Holiday Heart
2000 · Director
Little Richard
2000 · Director
Sidney Poitier: One Bright Light
2000
Up, Up, and Away
2000 · Jim Marshall / Bronze Eagle, Director
Taxman
1999 · Peyton Cody
Mercenary II: Thick & Thin
1999 · Charlie Love
From Behind Closed Doors
1999 · Director
Jackie's Back!
1999 · Robert Townsend, Director
Love Songs
1999 · Champ, Director
Joseph's Gift
1999 · James Saunders
B.A.P.S
1997 · Director
Stuart Hall: Representation & the Media
1997 · Archive Footage (Hollywood Shuffle)
The Legend of Dolemite! Bigger & Badder
1994 · Self
The Meteor Man
1993 · Jefferson Reed, Director, Screenplay, Producer
A Party For Richard Pryor
1991 · Self
The Five Heartbeats
1991 · Duck, Director, Writer, Producer
Robin Harris: One Night Stand
1990 · Bum #3
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 4
1989 · Executive Producer, Director, Writer
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 3
1989 · Writer, Executive Producer, Director
The Mighty Quinn
1989 · Maubee
That's Adequate
1989 · Standup Comic
I'm Gonna Git You Sucka
1988 · Minor Role (uncredited)
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 2
1988 · Director, Writer
Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute
1988 · Self
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 1
1987 · Director, Writer
Eddie Murphy Raw
1987 · Director
Uptown Comedy Express
1987 · Writer
Hollywood Shuffle
1987 · Bobby Taylor, Director, Writer, Producer
Ratboy
1986 · Manny
Rodney Dangerfield: It's Not Easy Bein' Me
1986 · Self, Writer
Odd Jobs
1986 · Dwight
American Flyers
1985 · Jerome
A Soldier's Story
1984 · Corporal Ellis
Streets of Fire
1984 · The Sorels - Lester
In Love with an Older Woman
1982 · James
Senior Trip
1981 · Randy
Willie & Phil
1980 · Thin Boy
Women at West Point
1979 · Russell Baker
The Warriors
1979 · Baseball Fury (uncredited)
The Monkey Hustle
1976 · Musician
Mahogany
1975 · Extra (uncredited)
Cooley High
1975 · Basketball Player in Gym Class
Series (21)
Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man!
2026 · Self - Comedian & Filmmaker
Before
2024 · Jackson
Poppa's House
2024 · Director
Kaleidoscope
2023 · Director
The Bear
2022 · Emmanuel Adamu
Power Book IV: Force
2022 · Director
Colin in Black and White
2021 · Director
The Wonder Years
2021 · Director
Love Is___
2018 · Director
Black Lightning
2018 · Dr. Napier Frank, Director
South of Nowhere
2005 · Director
Black in the 80s
2005 · Self
Motown Live
1998 · Self - Host
Hollywood Squares
1998 · Self - Panelist
Great Drives
1996 · Self - Host
Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child
1995 · Rumpelstiltskin (voice)
The Parent 'Hood
1995 · Robert Peterson, Director, Producer, Creator
The Carol Burnett Show
1991
Amazing Stories
1985 · Billy Burliss
M*A*S*H
1972 · Patient
Townsend Television
· Creator