Robert Townsend
Known for: Acting
Born: February 6, 1957
Place of birth: Chicago, Illinois, USA
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.
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Filmography
63 movies · 21 TV shows, newest first
5.3
AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Eddie Murphy
2026
7.8
Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man!
2026
6.5
Before
2024
5.5
Poppa's House
2024
6.9
Kaleidoscope
2023
8.1
The Bear
2022
5.8
Ms. Pat: Y'all Wanna Hear Something Crazy?
2022
8.3
Power Book IV: Force
2022
6.7
Colin in Black and White
2021
7.0
The Wonder Years
2021
NR
A Walk with Charles Burnett
2019
NR
Making The Five Heartbeats
2018
6.3
Love Is___
2018
6.9
Black Lightning
2018
5.0
Playin' for Love
2015
7.0
Bill Cosby: Far From Finished
2013
5.0
In the Hive
2012
7.6
Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire
2012
NR
Directors on Directing
2009
4.0
Diary of a Single Mom
2009
8.0
Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy
2009
7.7
Of Boys and Men
2008
5.3
Phantom Punch
2008NR
Tao of The Golden Mask
2007
7.3
South of Nowhere
2005
NR
Black in the 80s
2005
7.8
Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!!
2003
4.0
Black Listed
2003
6.7
I Was a Teenage Faust
2002
5.9
Undercover Brother
2002
3.9
10,000 Black Men Named George
2002
9.5
Book of Love: The Definitive Reason Why Men Are Dogs
2002
6.5
Carmen: A Hip Hopera
2001
7.6
Livin' for Love: The Natalie Cole Story
2000
7.0
Holiday Heart
2000
6.6
Little Richard
2000
6.7
Sidney Poitier: One Bright Light
2000
5.5
Up, Up, and Away
2000
4.2
Taxman
1999
5.5
Mercenary II: Thick & Thin
1999
10.0
From Behind Closed Doors
1999
6.9
Jackie's Back!
1999
8.7
Love Songs
1999
7.0
Joseph's Gift
19991.0
Motown Live
1998
7.6
Hollywood Squares
1998
5.4
B.A.P.S
1997
8.0
Stuart Hall: Representation & the Media
1997NR
Great Drives
1996
6.3
Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child
1995
7.3
The Parent 'Hood
1995
7.0
The Legend of Dolemite! Bigger & Badder
1994
5.8
The Meteor Man
19937.3
The Carol Burnett Show
1991
7.3
The Five Heartbeats
1991
NR
Robin Harris: One Night Stand
1990
NR
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 4
1989
NR
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 3
1989
6.0
The Mighty Quinn
1989
4.1
That's Adequate
1989
6.4
I'm Gonna Git You Sucka
1988
NR
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 2
1988
6.5
Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute
1988
NR
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 1
1987
7.3
Eddie Murphy Raw
1987
7.0
Uptown Comedy Express
1987
6.5
Hollywood Shuffle
1987
3.9
Ratboy
1986
7.9
Rodney Dangerfield: It's Not Easy Bein' Me
1986
4.4
Odd Jobs
1986
7.5
Amazing Stories
1985
6.2
American Flyers
1985
6.8
A Soldier's Story
1984
6.9
Streets of Fire
1984
6.0
In Love with an Older Woman
1982
4.1
Senior Trip
1981
4.6
Willie & Phil
1980
8.0
Women at West Point
1979
7.7
The Warriors
1979
5.8
The Monkey Hustle
1976
5.9
Mahogany
1975
7.0
Cooley High
1975
7.9
M*A*S*H
19727.0
Townsend Television
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