Robert Townsend
Acting
62 titles
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
The 51st AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Eddie Murphy
2026
Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man!
2026
Before
2024
The Bear
2022
A Walk with Charles Burnett
2019
Black Lightning
2018
Playin' for Love
2015
Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire
2012
Directors on Directing
2009
Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy
2009
Of Boys and Men
2008
Tao of The Golden Mask
2007
Black in the 80s
2005
Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!!
2003
Black Listed
2003
I Was a Teenage Faust
2002
Undercover Brother
2002
Book of Love: The Definitive Reason Why Men Are Dogs
2002
Sidney Poitier: One Bright Light
2000
Up, Up, and Away
2000
Taxman
1999
Mercenary II: Thick & Thin
1999
Jackie's Back!
1999
Love Songs
1999
Joseph's Gift
1999
Motown Live
1998
Hollywood Squares
1998
Stuart Hall: Representation & the Media
1997
Great Drives
1996
Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child
1995
The Parent 'Hood
1995
The Legend of Dolemite! Bigger & Badder
1994
The Meteor Man
1993
The Carol Burnett Show
1991
The Five Heartbeats
1991
Robin Harris: One Night Stand
1990
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 4
1989
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 3
1989
The Mighty Quinn
1989
That's Adequate
1989
I'm Gonna Git You Sucka
1988
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 2
1988
Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute
1988
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 1
1987
Uptown Comedy Express
1987
Hollywood Shuffle
1987
Ratboy
1986
Rodney Dangerfield: It's Not Easy Bein' Me
1986
Odd Jobs
1986
Amazing Stories
1985
American Flyers
1985
A Soldier's Story
1984
Streets of Fire
1984
In Love with an Older Woman
1982
Senior Trip
1981
Willie & Phil
1980
Women at West Point
1979
The Warriors
1979
The Monkey Hustle
1976
Mahogany
1975
Cooley High
1975
M*A*S*H
1972