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Robert Townsend
Chicago, Illinois, USA
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…
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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.
Filmography
Movies and shows, newest first
- 2026
-
2026
Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man!
TV show Self - Comedian & Filmmaker
-
2024
Before
TV show Jackson
-
2024
Poppa's House
TV show Director
-
2023
Kaleidoscope
TV show Director
-
2022
The Bear
TV show Emmanuel Adamu
-
2022
Ms. Pat: Y'all Wanna Hear Something Crazy?
Movie Director
-
2022
Power Book IV: Force
TV show Director
-
2021
Colin in Black and White
TV show Director
-
2021
The Wonder Years
TV show Director
-
2019
A Walk with Charles Burnett
Movie Self
-
2018
Making The Five Heartbeats
Movie Director
-
2018
Love Is___
TV show Director
-
2018
Black Lightning
TV show Dr. Napier Frank
-
2015
Playin' for Love
Movie Coach Banks
-
2013
Bill Cosby: Far From Finished
Movie Director
More credits
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2012
In the Hive
Movie Director
-
2012
Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire
Movie Vampire Actor #1 (voice)
-
2009
Directors on Directing
Movie Self
-
2009
Diary of a Single Mom
Movie Director
- 2009
-
2008
Of Boys and Men
Movie Holden Cole
-
2008
Phantom Punch
Movie Director
-
2007
Tao of The Golden Mask
Movie
-
2005
South of Nowhere
TV show Director
-
2005
Black in the 80s
TV show Self
-
2003
Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!!
Movie Self
-
2003
Black Listed
Movie Alan Chambers
-
2002
I Was a Teenage Faust
Movie Mr. Five
-
2002
Undercover Brother
Movie Mr. UB
-
2002
10,000 Black Men Named George
Movie Director
- 2002
-
2001
Carmen: A Hip Hopera
Movie Director
-
2000
Holiday Heart
Movie Director
-
2000
Livin' for Love: The Natalie Cole Story
Movie Director
-
2000
Little Richard
Movie Director
- 2000
-
2000
Up, Up, and Away
Movie Jim Marshall / Bronze Eagle
-
1999
Taxman
Movie Peyton Cody
-
1999
Mercenary II: Thick & Thin
Movie Charlie Love
