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