
Robert Townsend
- Date of Birth: 1957-02-06
- Place of Birth: Chicago, Illinois, USA
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 Mete... 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.

Book of Love: The Definitive Reason Why Men Are Dogs
Comedy, Romance • 2002 February

The Bear
Drama, Comedy • 2022 June

Rodney Dangerfield: It's Not Easy Bein' Me
Comedy • 1986 September

Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy
Comedy, Documentary • 2009 January

Love Songs
Romance • 1999 April

Stuart Hall: Representation & the Media
Documentary • 1997 January

Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!!
Comedy, Documentary • 2003 January

M*A*S*H
War & Politics, Drama, Comedy • 1972 September

Of Boys and Men
Drama • 2008 October

Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire
Family, Animation, Mystery, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy • 2012 March