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.
49 movies · 13 shows
AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Eddie Murphy
2026·6.0
A Walk with Charles Burnett
2019·0.0
Playin' for Love
2015·5.0
Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire
2012·7.7
Directors on Directing
2009·0.0
Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy
2009·8.0
Of Boys and Men
2008·7.7
Tao of The Golden Mask
2007·0.0
Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!!
2003·7.8
Black Listed
2003·4.0
I Was a Teenage Faust
2002·6.7
Undercover Brother
2002·5.9
Book of Love: The Definitive Reason Why Men Are Dogs
2002·9.5
Sidney Poitier: One Bright Light
2000·6.7
Up, Up, and Away
2000·5.5
Taxman
1999·4.2
Mercenary II: Thick & Thin
1999·5.5
Jackie's Back!
1999·6.9
Love Songs
1999·8.7
Joseph's Gift
1999·7.0
Stuart Hall: Representation & the Media
1997·8.0
The Legend of Dolemite! Bigger & Badder
1994·7.0
The Meteor Man
1993·5.8
The Five Heartbeats
1991·7.3
Robin Harris: One Night Stand
1990·0.0
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 4
1989·0.0
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 3
1989·0.0
The Mighty Quinn
1989·6.0
That's Adequate
1989·4.1
I'm Gonna Git You Sucka
1988·6.4
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 2
1988·0.0
Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute
1988·6.5
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 1
1987·0.0
Uptown Comedy Express
1987·7.0
Hollywood Shuffle
1987·6.5
Ratboy
1986·3.9
Rodney Dangerfield: It's Not Easy Bein' Me
1986·7.9
Odd Jobs
1986·4.4
American Flyers
1985·6.1
A Soldier's Story
1984·6.8
Streets of Fire
1984·6.9
In Love with an Older Woman
1982·6.0
Senior Trip
1981·4.1
Willie & Phil
1980·4.6
Women at West Point
1979·8.0
The Warriors
1979·7.7
The Monkey Hustle
1976·5.7
Mahogany
1975·5.9
Cooley High
1975·7.0