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.
Recent movies
| # | Name | Character | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ms. Pat: Y'all Wanna Hear Something Crazy? (2022) | Director / Writer | - |
| 2 | Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire (2012) | Vampire Actor #1 (voice) | 8.5 |
| 3 | Tao of The Golden Mask (2007) | - | - |
| 4 | Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!! (2003) | Self | - |
| 5 | 10,000 Black Men Named George (2002) | Director / Writer | - |
| 6 | Undercover Brother (2002) | Mr. UB | 6.6 |
| 7 | I Was a Teenage Faust (2002) | Mr. Five | - |
| 8 | Carmen: A Hip Hopera (2001) | Director / Writer | - |
| 9 | Up, Up, and Away (2000) | Director / Writer | 6 |
| 10 | Little Richard (2000) | Director / Writer | - |
| 11 | Jackie's Back! (1999) | Director / Writer | - |
| 12 | Taxman (1999) | Peyton Cody | - |
| 13 | B.A.P.S (1997) | Director / Writer | 10 |
| 14 | The Legend of Dolemite! Bigger & Badder (1994) | Self | - |
| 15 | The Meteor Man (1993) | Director / Writer | 6 |
| 16 | The Five Heartbeats (1991) | Director / Writer | 10 |
| 17 | That's Adequate (1989) | Standup Comic | - |
| 18 | The Mighty Quinn (1989) | Maubee | 10 |
| 19 | I'm Gonna Git You Sucka (1988) | Minor Role (uncredited) | 6.4 |
| 20 | Eddie Murphy Raw (1987) | Director / Writer | 7 |
| 21 | Hollywood Shuffle (1987) | Director / Writer | 8 |
| 22 | A Soldier's Story (1984) | Corporal Ellis | 7.7 |
| 23 | Streets of Fire (1984) | The Sorels - Lester | 5 |
| 24 | Willie & Phil (1980) | Thin Boy | - |
| 25 | The Warriors (1979) | Baseball Fury (uncredited) | 7.2 |
| 26 | The Monkey Hustle (1976) | Musician | - |
| 27 | Cooley High (1975) | Basketball Player in Gym Class | 6 |
| 28 | Mahogany (1975) | Extra (uncredited) | - |
