
Cast
Robert Townsend
Acting
Cast
Robert Townsend
Known for
Acting
Born
1957-02-06
From
Chicago, Illinois, USA
Biography
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.

The Warriors
as Baseball Fury (uncredited)

Streets of Fire
as The Sorels - Lester

The 51st AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Eddie Murphy
as Self

Undercover Brother
as Mr. UB

American Flyers
as Jerome

I'm Gonna Git You Sucka
as Minor Role (uncredited)

The Meteor Man
as Jefferson Reed

Ratboy
as Manny

Senior Trip
as Randy

The Five Heartbeats
as Duck

The Mighty Quinn
as Maubee

Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire
as Vampire Actor #1 (voice)

A Soldier's Story
as Corporal Ellis

That's Adequate
as Standup Comic

Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy
as Self

Jackie's Back!
as Robert Townsend

Cooley High
as Basketball Player in Gym Class

Willie & Phil
as Thin Boy

Mahogany
as Extra (uncredited)

Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!!
as Self

Book of Love: The Definitive Reason Why Men Are Dogs

Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute
as Self

Hollywood Shuffle
as Bobby Taylor

Joseph's Gift
as James Saunders

Odd Jobs
as Dwight

Up, Up, and Away
as Jim Marshall / Bronze Eagle

Taxman
as Peyton Cody

Women at West Point
as Russell Baker

I Was a Teenage Faust
as Mr. Five

Of Boys and Men
as Holden Cole

The Monkey Hustle
as Musician

Uptown Comedy Express

Sidney Poitier: One Bright Light

Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 1

Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 3

The Legend of Dolemite! Bigger & Badder
as Self

In Love with an Older Woman
as James

Rodney Dangerfield: It's Not Easy Bein' Me
as Self

Love Songs
as Champ

Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 2

Black Listed
as Alan Chambers

Directors on Directing
as Self

Playin' for Love
as Coach Banks

Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 4

Mercenary II: Thick & Thin
as Charlie Love

Tao of The Golden Mask

Stuart Hall: Representation & the Media
as Archive Footage (Hollywood Shuffle)

A Walk with Charles Burnett
as Self

Robin Harris: One Night Stand
as Bum #3