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Robert Townsend

Robert Townsend

Acting·1957·62 films

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 Heartbe

As Actor

The Warriors
The Warriors (1979)Baseball Fury (uncredited)
Streets of Fire
Streets of Fire (1984)The Sorels - Lester
Undercover Brother
Undercover Brother (2002)Mr. UB
I'm Gonna Git You Sucka
I'm Gonna Git You Sucka (1988)Minor Role (uncredited)
Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire
Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire (2012)Vampire Actor #1 (voice)
A Soldier's Story
A Soldier's Story (1984)Corporal Ellis
The Meteor Man
The Meteor Man (1993)Jefferson Reed
The Mighty Quinn
The Mighty Quinn (1989)Maubee
American Flyers
American Flyers (1985)Jerome
Hollywood Shuffle
Hollywood Shuffle (1987)Bobby Taylor
The Five Heartbeats
The Five Heartbeats (1991)Duck
Cooley High
Cooley High (1975)Basketball Player in Gym Class
Up, Up, and Away
Up, Up, and Away (2000)Jim Marshall / Bronze Eagle
Mahogany
Mahogany (1975)Extra (uncredited)
Willie & Phil
Willie & Phil (1980)Thin Boy
Ratboy
Ratboy (1986)Manny
Jackie's Back!
Jackie's Back! (1999)Robert Townsend
Odd Jobs
Odd Jobs (1986)Dwight
The Monkey Hustle
The Monkey Hustle (1976)Musician
That's Adequate
That's Adequate (1989)Standup Comic
Senior Trip
Senior Trip (1981)Randy
Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy
Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy (2009)Self
Of Boys and Men
Of Boys and Men (2008)Holden Cole
Rodney Dangerfield: It's Not Easy Bein' Me
Rodney Dangerfield: It's Not Easy Bein' Me (1986)Self
Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!!
Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!! (2003)Self
Taxman
Taxman (1999)Peyton Cody
Mercenary II: Thick & Thin
Mercenary II: Thick & Thin (1999)Charlie Love
I Was a Teenage Faust
I Was a Teenage Faust (2002)Mr. Five
Love Songs
Love Songs (1999)Champ
Black Listed
Black Listed (2003)Alan Chambers
Sidney Poitier: One Bright Light
Sidney Poitier: One Bright Light (2000)
In Love with an Older Woman
In Love with an Older Woman (1982)James
Book of Love: The Definitive Reason Why Men Are Dogs
Book of Love: The Definitive Reason Why Men Are Dogs (2002)
Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute
Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute (1988)Self
Playin' for Love
Playin' for Love (2015)Coach Banks
The 51st AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Eddie Murphy
The 51st AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Eddie Murphy (2026)Self
Joseph's Gift
Joseph's Gift (1999)James Saunders
Women at West Point
Women at West Point (1979)Russell Baker
Uptown Comedy Express
Uptown Comedy Express (1987)
The Legend of Dolemite! Bigger & Badder
The Legend of Dolemite! Bigger & Badder (1994)Self
Stuart Hall: Representation & the Media
Stuart Hall: Representation & the Media (1997)Archive Footage (Hollywood Shuffle)
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 4
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 4 (1989)
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 3
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 3 (1989)
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 2
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 2 (1988)
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 1
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 1 (1987)
Robin Harris: One Night Stand
Robin Harris: One Night Stand (1990)Bum #3
A Walk with Charles Burnett
A Walk with Charles Burnett (2019)Self
Directors on Directing
Directors on Directing (2009)Self

As Director

As Writer