Robert Townsend
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.
Acting (45 movies)
Senior Trip
1981
The Meteor Man
1993
The Mighty Quinn
1989
A Soldier's Story
1984
Hollywood Shuffle
1987
Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!!
2003
The Five Heartbeats
1991
Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy
2009
I'm Gonna Git You Sucka
1988
Odd Jobs
1986
Directors on Directing
2009
Ratboy
1986
The Warriors
1979
Black Listed
2003
Rodney Dangerfield: It's Not Easy Bein' Me
1986
Taxman
1999
Of Boys and Men
2008
Up, Up, and Away
2000
Uptown Comedy Express
1987
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 2
1988
Mercenary II: Thick & Thin
1999
Robin Harris: One Night Stand
1990
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 1
1987
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 3
1989
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 4
1989
Cooley High
1975
I Was a Teenage Faust
2002
Playin' for Love
2015
That's Adequate
1989
Streets of Fire
1984
Undercover Brother
2002
The Legend of Dolemite! Bigger & Badder
1994
In Love with an Older Woman
1982
A Walk with Charles Burnett
2019
Book of Love: The Definitive Reason Why Men Are Dogs
2002
Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire
2012
Joseph's Gift
1999
Willie & Phil
1980
American Flyers
1985
Love Songs
1999
Women at West Point
1979
Stuart Hall: Representation & the Media
1997
Sidney Poitier: One Bright Light
2000
The Monkey Hustle
1976
Jackie's Back!
1999
Directing (28 movies)
From Behind Closed Doors
1999
The Meteor Man
1993
Hollywood Shuffle
1987
Jackie's Back!
1999
The Five Heartbeats
1991
Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy
2009
Eddie Murphy Raw
1987
Carmen: A Hip Hopera
2001
B.A.P.S
1997
Phantom Punch
2008
Little Richard
2000
Bill Cosby: Far From Finished
2013
Up, Up, and Away
2000
In the Hive
2012
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 2
1988
Ms. Pat: Y'all Wanna Hear Something Crazy?
2022
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 1
1987
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 3
1989
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 4
1989
Livin' for Love: The Natalie Cole Story
2000
Holiday Heart
2000
Making The Five Heartbeats
2018
Black Listed
2003
10,000 Black Men Named George
2002
Diary of a Single Mom
2009
Playin' for Love
2015
A Walk with Charles Burnett
2019
Love Songs
1999
| Title | Year | Job |
|---|---|---|
| Rodney Dangerfield: It's Not Easy Bein' Me | 1986 | Writer |
| Hollywood Shuffle | 1987 | Writer |
| Hollywood Shuffle | 1987 | Producer |
| Uptown Comedy Express | 1987 | Writer |
| Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 1 | 1987 | Writer |
| Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 2 | 1988 | Writer |
| Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 3 | 1989 | Writer |
| Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 3 | 1989 | Executive Producer |
| Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 4 | 1989 | Executive Producer |
| Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 4 | 1989 | Writer |
| The Five Heartbeats | 1991 | Writer |
| The Five Heartbeats | 1991 | Producer |
| The Meteor Man | 1993 | Screenplay |
| The Meteor Man | 1993 | Producer |
| Of Boys and Men | 2008 | Producer |
| Playin' for Love | 2015 | Writer |
| Playin' for Love | 2015 | Producer |
| Making The Five Heartbeats | 2018 | Producer |