Personal Info
Known For
Acting
Birthdate
1957-02-06 (Age: 69)
Place of Birth
Chicago, Illinois, USA
Robert Townsend
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.
Filmography (49)
The 51st AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Eddie Murphy
2026
A Walk with Charles Burnett
2019
Playin' for Love
2015
Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire
2012
Directors on Directing
2009
Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy
2009
Of Boys and Men
2008Tao of The Golden Mask
2007
Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!!
2003
Black Listed
2003
I Was a Teenage Faust
2002
Undercover Brother
2002
Book of Love: The Definitive Reason Why Men Are Dogs
2002
Sidney Poitier: One Bright Light
2000
