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Robert Townsend
Born · February 6, 1957 (67 years old)
Known For: Acting
Place of Birth: Chicago, Illinois, USA
Bio
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.
Before
(2 episodes)
6.6
2024
The Bear
Emmanuel Adamu · (6 episodes)
8.3
2022
A Walk with Charles Burnett
Self
0.0
2019
Black Lightning
Dr. Napier Frank · (3 episodes)
7.0
2018
Playin' for Love
Coach Banks
5.0
2015
Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire
Vampire Actor #1 (voice)
7.7
2012
Directors on Directing
Self
0.0
2009
Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy
Self
8.0
2009
Of Boys and Men
Holden Cole
7.7
2008
Tao of The Golden Mask
0.0
2007
Edge of Outside
Bobby Taylor (archive footage)
5.8
2006
Black in the 80s
Self · (3 episodes)
0.0
2005
Black Listed
Alan Chambers
2.5
2003
Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!!
Self
8.0
2003
I Was a Teenage Faust
Mr. Five
5.5
2002
Undercover Brother
Mr. UB
5.8
2002
Book of Love: The Definitive Reason Why Men Are Dogs
10.0
2002
Sidney Poitier: One Bright Light
6.0
2000
Up, Up, and Away
Jim Marshall / Bronze Eagle
5.7
2000
Taxman
Peyton Cody
3.0
1999
Mercenary II: Thick & Thin
Charlie Love
4.7
1999
Jackie's Back!
Robert Townsend
7.8
1999
Love Songs
Champ
8.0
1999
Joseph's Gift
James Saunders
0.0
1999
Hollywood Squares
(5 episodes)
6.5
1998
Stuart Hall: Representation & the Media
Archive Footage (Hollywood Shuffle)
8.0
1997
Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child
Rumpelstiltskin (voice) · (1 episode)
6.0
1995
The Parent 'Hood
Robert Peterson · (90 episodes)
7.2
1995
The Legend of Dolemite! Bigger & Badder
Self
0.0
1994
The Meteor Man
Jefferson Reed
5.8
1993
The Carol Burnett Show
(9 episodes)
7.0
1991
The Five Heartbeats
Duck
7.3
1991
Robin Harris: One Night Stand
Bum #3
0.0
1990
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 4
0.0
1989
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 3
0.0
1989
The Mighty Quinn
Maubee
6.2
1989
That's Adequate
Standup Comic
4.2
1989
I'm Gonna Git You Sucka
Minor Role (uncredited)
6.4
1988
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 2
0.0
1988
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 1
0.0
1987
Uptown Comedy Express
0.0
1987
Hollywood Shuffle
Bobby Taylor
6.4
1987
Ratboy
Manny
3.4
1986
Rodney Dangerfield: It's Not Easy Bein' Me
himself
8.8
1986
Odd Jobs
Dwight
4.2
1986
Amazing Stories
Billy Burliss · (1 episode)
7.5
1985
American Flyers
Jerome
6.2
1985
A Soldier's Story
Corporal Ellis
6.8
1984
Streets of Fire
The Sorels - Lester
6.9
1984
In Love with an Older Woman
James
4.0
1982
Senior Trip
Randy
4.2
1981
Willie and Phil
Thin Boy
4.4
1980
Women at West Point
Russell Baker
0.0
1979
The Warriors
Baseball Fury (uncredited)
7.7
1979
The Monkey Hustle
Musician
6.2
1976
Cooley High
Basketball Player in Gym Class
6.9
1975
M*A*S*H
Patient · (1 episode)
7.9
1972