Robert Townsend
Known for Acting · 62 credits
- Born
- 1957-02-06 (age 69)
- 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
TV Shows (13)
Hollywood Squares
1998
as Self - Panelist
M*A*S*H
1972
as Patient
The Bear
2022
as Emmanuel Adamu
Black Lightning
2018
as Dr. Napier Frank
Amazing Stories
1985
as Billy Burliss
Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child
1995
as Rumpelstiltskin (voice)
The Parent 'Hood
1995
as Robert Peterson
Before
2024
as Jackson
Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man!
2026
as Self - Comedian & Filmmaker
Black in the 80s
2005
as Self
The Carol Burnett Show
1991
Great Drives
1996
as Self - Host
Motown Live
1998
as Self - Host
Movies (49)
The Warriors
1979
as Baseball Fury (uncredited)
Streets of Fire
1984
as The Sorels - Lester
The 51st AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Eddie Murphy
2026
as Self
Undercover Brother
2002
as Mr. UB
American Flyers
1985
as Jerome
I'm Gonna Git You Sucka
1988
as Minor Role (uncredited)
The Meteor Man
1993
as Jefferson Reed
Ratboy
1986
as Manny
Senior Trip
1981
as Randy
The Five Heartbeats
1991
as Duck
The Mighty Quinn
1989
as Maubee
Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire
2012
as Vampire Actor #1 (voice)
A Soldier's Story
1984
as Corporal Ellis
That's Adequate
1989
as Standup Comic
Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy
2009
as Self
Jackie's Back!
1999
as Robert Townsend
Cooley High
1975
as Basketball Player in Gym Class
Willie & Phil
1980
as Thin Boy
Mahogany
1975
as Extra (uncredited)
Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!!
2003
as Self
Book of Love: The Definitive Reason Why Men Are Dogs
2002
Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute
1988
as Self
Hollywood Shuffle
1987
as Bobby Taylor
Joseph's Gift
1999
as James Saunders
Odd Jobs
1986
as Dwight
Up, Up, and Away
2000
as Jim Marshall / Bronze Eagle
Taxman
1999
as Peyton Cody
Women at West Point
1979
as Russell Baker
I Was a Teenage Faust
2002
as Mr. Five
Of Boys and Men
2008
as Holden Cole
The Monkey Hustle
1976
as Musician
Uptown Comedy Express
1987
Sidney Poitier: One Bright Light
2000
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 1
1987
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 3
1989
The Legend of Dolemite! Bigger & Badder
1994
as Self
In Love with an Older Woman
1982
as James
Rodney Dangerfield: It's Not Easy Bein' Me
1986
as Self
Love Songs
1999
as Champ
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 2
1988
Black Listed
2003
as Alan Chambers
Directors on Directing
2009
as Self
Playin' for Love
2015
as Coach Banks
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 4
1989
Mercenary II: Thick & Thin
1999
as Charlie Love
Tao of The Golden Mask
2007
Stuart Hall: Representation & the Media
1997
as Archive Footage (Hollywood Shuffle)
A Walk with Charles Burnett
2019
as Self
Robin Harris: One Night Stand
1990
as Bum #3
About Robert Townsend
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 Donal… With 62 credits spanning from 1972 to 2026, Robert Townsend has appeared in 49 films and 13 TV shows.
Fans searching for Robert Townsend movies, Robert Townsend filmography, or the latest projects starring Robert Townsend can stream many of these titles on Bowood.TV, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular Robert Townsend Movies
- The Warriors (1979) — as Baseball Fury (uncredited)
- Streets of Fire (1984) — as The Sorels - Lester
- The 51st AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Eddie Murphy (2026) — as Self
- Undercover Brother (2002) — as Mr. UB
- American Flyers (1985) — as Jerome
Where to Watch Robert Townsend Films
Most Robert Townsend movies and series are available to stream on Bowood.TV in full HD, completely free and without signup. Browse the complete filmography above to jump directly to any title. For more films and the latest web series featuring Robert Townsend, check our movies catalogue and browse page.