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