Robert Townsend
Acting
- Born:
- 1957-02-06
- Place of birth:
- 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.
Known For
Filmography
AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Eddie Murphy
Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man!
Before
The Bear
A Walk with Charles Burnett
Black Lightning
Playin' for Love
Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire
Directors on Directing
Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy
Of Boys and Men
Tao of The Golden Mask
Black in the 80s
Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!!
Black Listed
I Was a Teenage Faust
Undercover Brother
Book of Love: The Definitive Reason Why Men Are Dogs
Sidney Poitier: One Bright Light
Up, Up, and Away
Taxman
Mercenary II: Thick & Thin
Jackie's Back!
Love Songs
Joseph's Gift
Motown Live
Hollywood Squares
Stuart Hall: Representation & the Media
Great Drives
Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child
The Parent 'Hood
The Legend of Dolemite! Bigger & Badder
The Meteor Man
A Party For Richard Pryor
The Carol Burnett Show
The Five Heartbeats
Robin Harris: One Night Stand
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 4
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 3
The Mighty Quinn
That's Adequate
I'm Gonna Git You Sucka
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 2
Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 1
Uptown Comedy Express
Hollywood Shuffle
Ratboy
Rodney Dangerfield: It's Not Easy Bein' Me
Odd Jobs
Amazing Stories
American Flyers
A Soldier's Story
Streets of Fire
In Love with an Older Woman
Senior Trip
Willie & Phil
Women at West Point
The Warriors
The Monkey Hustle
Mahogany
Cooley High
M*A*S*H