Robert Townsend
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.
Filmography
AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Eddie Murphy
as Self
AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Eddie Murphy
as Self
Playin' for Love
as Coach Banks
Playin' for Love
as Coach Banks
Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire
as Vampire Actor #1 (voice)
Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire
as Vampire Actor #1 (voice)
Directors on Directing
as Self
Directors on Directing
as Self
Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy
as Self
Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy
as Self
Of Boys and Men
as Holden Cole
Of Boys and Men
as Holden Cole
Tao of The Golden Mask
Tao of The Golden Mask
Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!!
as Self
Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!!
as Self
Black Listed
as Alan Chambers
Black Listed
as Alan Chambers
I Was a Teenage Faust
as Mr. Five
I Was a Teenage Faust
as Mr. Five
Undercover Brother
as Mr. UB
Undercover Brother
as Mr. UB
Book of Love: The Definitive Reason Why Men Are Dogs
Book of Love: The Definitive Reason Why Men Are Dogs
Sidney Poitier: One Bright Light
Sidney Poitier: One Bright Light
Up, Up, and Away
as Jim Marshall / Bronze Eagle
Up, Up, and Away
as Jim Marshall / Bronze Eagle
Taxman
as Peyton Cody
Taxman
as Peyton Cody
Mercenary II: Thick & Thin
as Charlie Love
Mercenary II: Thick & Thin
as Charlie Love
Love Songs
as Champ
Love Songs
as Champ
Joseph's Gift
as James Saunders
Joseph's Gift
as James Saunders
Stuart Hall: Representation & the Media
as Archive Footage (Hollywood Shuffle)
Stuart Hall: Representation & the Media
as Archive Footage (Hollywood Shuffle)
The Legend of Dolemite! Bigger & Badder
as Self
The Legend of Dolemite! Bigger & Badder
as Self
The Meteor Man
as Jefferson Reed
The Meteor Man
as Jefferson Reed
The Five Heartbeats
as Duck
The Five Heartbeats
as Duck
Robin Harris: One Night Stand
as Bum #3
Robin Harris: One Night Stand
as Bum #3
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 4
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 4
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 3
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 3
The Mighty Quinn
as Maubee
The Mighty Quinn
as Maubee
I'm Gonna Git You Sucka
as Minor Role (uncredited)
I'm Gonna Git You Sucka
as Minor Role (uncredited)
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 2
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 2
Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute
as Self
Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute
as Self
Hollywood Shuffle
as Bobby Taylor
Hollywood Shuffle
as Bobby Taylor
Ratboy
as Manny
Ratboy
as Manny
Rodney Dangerfield: It's Not Easy Bein' Me
as Self
Rodney Dangerfield: It's Not Easy Bein' Me
as Self
Odd Jobs
as Dwight
Odd Jobs
as Dwight
American Flyers
as Jerome
American Flyers
as Jerome
A Soldier's Story
as Corporal Ellis
A Soldier's Story
as Corporal Ellis
Streets of Fire
as The Sorels - Lester
Streets of Fire
as The Sorels - Lester
In Love with an Older Woman
as James
In Love with an Older Woman
as James
Senior Trip
as Randy
Senior Trip
as Randy
Willie & Phil
as Thin Boy
Willie & Phil
as Thin Boy
Women at West Point
as Russell Baker
Women at West Point
as Russell Baker
The Monkey Hustle
as Musician
The Monkey Hustle
as Musician