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 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.

Cast

Senior Trip
Randy
The Meteor Man
Jefferson Reed
The Mighty Quinn
Maubee
A Soldier's Story
Corporal Ellis
Hollywood Shuffle
Bobby Taylor
Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!!
Self
The Five Heartbeats
Duck
Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy
Self
I'm Gonna Git You Sucka
Minor Role (uncredited)
Odd Jobs
Dwight
Directors on Directing
Self
Ratboy
Manny
The Warriors
Baseball Fury (uncredited)
Black Listed
Alan Chambers
Rodney Dangerfield: It's Not Easy Bein' Me
Self
Taxman
Peyton Cody
Of Boys and Men
Holden Cole
Tao of The Golden Mask
Unknown
Up, Up, and Away
Jim Marshall / Bronze Eagle
Uptown Comedy Express
Unknown
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 2
Unknown
Mercenary II: Thick & Thin
Charlie Love
Robin Harris: One Night Stand
Bum #3
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 1
Unknown
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 4
Unknown
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 3
Unknown
Cooley High
Basketball Player in Gym Class
I Was a Teenage Faust
Mr. Five
Playin' for Love
Coach Banks
That's Adequate
Standup Comic
Streets of Fire
The Sorels - Lester
Undercover Brother
Mr. UB
The Legend of Dolemite! Bigger & Badder
Self
In Love with an Older Woman
James
A Walk with Charles Burnett
Self
Book of Love: The Definitive Reason Why Men Are Dogs
Unknown
Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire
Vampire Actor #1 (voice)
Joseph's Gift
James Saunders
Willie & Phil
Thin Boy
American Flyers
Jerome
Love Songs
Champ
Women at West Point
Russell Baker
Stuart Hall: Representation & the Media
Archive Footage (Hollywood Shuffle)
Sidney Poitier: One Bright Light
Unknown
The Monkey Hustle
Musician
Jackie's Back!
Robert Townsend
Mahogany
Extra (uncredited)