1957-02-06 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 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.
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A Walk with Charles Burnett | Self | 2019-02-27 |
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Playin' for Love | Coach Banks | 2015-01-16 |
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Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire | Vampire Actor #1 (voice) | 2012-03-07 |
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Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy | Self | 2009-01-01 |
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Directors on Directing | Self | 2009-09-24 |
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Of Boys and Men | Holden Cole | 2008-10-21 |
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Tao of The Golden Mask | 2007-06-23 | |
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Edge of Outside | Bobby Taylor (archive footage) | 2006-06-11 |
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Black Listed | Alan Chambers | 2003-01-21 |
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Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!! | Self | 2003-01-01 |
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Undercover Brother | Mr. UB | 2002-05-31 |
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I Was a Teenage Faust | Mr. Five | 2002-06-01 |
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Book of Love: The Definitive Reason Why Men Are Dogs | 2002-02-14 | |
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Sidney Poitier: One Bright Light | 2000-02-02 | |
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Up, Up, and Away | Jim Marshall / Bronze Eagle | 2000-01-22 |
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Joseph's Gift | James Saunders | 1999-01-01 |
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Love Songs | Champ | 1999-04-25 |
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Jackie's Back! | Robert Townsend | 1999-06-14 |
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Mercenary II: Thick & Thin | Charlie Love | 1999-07-20 |
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Taxman | Peyton Cody | 1999-09-16 |
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Stuart Hall: Representation & the Media | Archive Footage (Hollywood Shuffle) | 1997-01-01 |
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The Legend of Dolemite! Bigger & Badder | Self | 1994-01-01 |
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The Meteor Man | Jefferson Reed | 1993-08-06 |
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The Five Heartbeats | Duck | 1991-03-29 |
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Robin Harris: One Night Stand | Bum #3 | 1990-03-03 |
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Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 3 | 1989-05-20 | |
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That's Adequate | Standup Comic | 1989-01-01 |
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The Mighty Quinn | Maubee | 1989-02-17 |
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Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 4 | 1989-09-16 | |
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I'm Gonna Git You Sucka | Minor Role (uncredited) | 1988-11-10 |
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Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 2 | 1988-09-24 | |
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Hollywood Shuffle | Bobby Taylor | 1987-03-20 |
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Uptown Comedy Express | 1987-05-09 | |
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Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 1 | 1987-12-19 | |
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Odd Jobs | Dwight | 1986-03-01 |
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Rodney Dangerfield: It's Not Easy Bein' Me | himself | 1986-09-06 |
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Ratboy | Manny | 1986-10-17 |
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American Flyers | Jerome | 1985-08-16 |
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A Soldier's Story | Corporal Ellis | 1984-09-14 |
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Streets of Fire | The Sorels - Lester | 1984-06-01 |
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In Love with an Older Woman | James | 1982-11-24 |
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Senior Trip | Randy | 1981-12-30 |
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Willie and Phil | Thin Boy | 1980-08-15 |
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Women at West Point | Russell Baker | 1979-02-27 |
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The Warriors | Baseball Fury (uncredited) | 1979-02-01 |
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The Monkey Hustle | Musician | 1976-12-24 |
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Cooley High | Basketball Player in Gym Class | 1975-06-25 |
