Robert Townsend
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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
Credits
The Warriors (1979)
as Baseball Fury (uncredited)
Undercover Brother (2002)
as Mr. UB
I'm Gonna Git You Sucka (1988)
as Minor Role (uncredited)
AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Eddie Murphy (2026)
as Self
Streets of Fire (1984)
as The Sorels - Lester
Black Listed (2003)
as Alan Chambers
Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire (2012)
as Vampire Actor #1 (voice)
Willie & Phil (1980)
as Thin Boy
A Soldier's Story (1984)
as Corporal Ellis
Love Songs (1999)
as Champ
The Five Heartbeats (1991)
as Duck
A Party For Richard Pryor (1991)
as Self
American Flyers (1985)
as Jerome
The Meteor Man (1993)
as Jefferson Reed
I Was a Teenage Faust (2002)
as Mr. Five
Up, Up, and Away (2000)
as Jim Marshall / Bronze Eagle
The Mighty Quinn (1989)
as Maubee
Sidney Poitier: One Bright Light (2000)
Actor
Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy (2009)
as Self
Hollywood Shuffle (1987)
as Bobby Taylor
Book of Love: The Definitive Reason Why Men Are Dogs (2002)
Actor
Jackie's Back! (1999)
as Robert Townsend
Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute (1988)
as Self
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 4 (1989)
Actor
Taxman (1999)
as Peyton Cody
Ratboy (1986)
as Manny
Cooley High (1975)
as Basketball Player in Gym Class
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 2 (1988)
Actor
Mercenary II: Thick & Thin (1999)
as Charlie Love
That's Adequate (1989)
as Standup Comic
Mahogany (1975)
as Extra (uncredited)
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 3 (1989)
Actor
Senior Trip (1981)
as Randy
The Monkey Hustle (1976)
as Musician
Rodney Dangerfield: It's Not Easy Bein' Me (1986)
as Self
In Love with an Older Woman (1982)
as James
A Walk with Charles Burnett (2019)
as Self
Of Boys and Men (2008)
as Holden Cole
Odd Jobs (1986)
as Dwight
The Legend of Dolemite! Bigger & Badder (1994)
as Self
Women at West Point (1979)
as Russell Baker
Playin' for Love (2015)
as Coach Banks
Joseph's Gift (1999)
as James Saunders
Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!! (2003)
as Self
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 1 (1987)
Actor
Robin Harris: One Night Stand (1990)
as Bum #3
Directors on Directing (2009)
as Self
Uptown Comedy Express (1987)
Actor
Stuart Hall: Representation & the Media (1997)
as Archive Footage (Hollywood Shuffle)
Tao of The Golden Mask (2007)
Actor