Robert Townsend
Biography
Robert Townsend is an American actor. He was born on February 6, 1957, in Chicago, Illinois. Townsend is known for his work in various films and television shows. He is also a director, comedian, and writer. As an actor, Townsend has appeared in films such as The Five Heartbeats and has starred in the sitcom The Parent 'Hood. He played the role of Donald "Duck" Matthews in The Five Heartbeats. Townsend has a long history of acting credits, with 84 known credits to his name. He has a content score of 100 on TMDB, indicating a high level of recognition and popularity in the entertainment industry.
Career overview
Robert Townsend is an American actor known for his work in various films and television shows. He has appeared in a number of notable roles throughout his career, including the starring role as Robert Peterson in the sitcom The Parent 'Hood. Townsend also played the role of Donald "Duck" Matthews in the 1991 film The Five Heartbeats.
As an actor, Townsend has accumulated a significant number of credits, with a total of 84 known acting credits to his name. His work in film and television has spanned multiple decades, with a career that has seen him appear in a wide range of roles. Townsend's acting career has been marked by his versatility and range, as he has taken on a variety of different characters and storylines throughout his work.
Townsend's acting career is closely tied to his work as a director and writer, with many of his notable acting roles emerging from his own creative projects. His ability to balance multiple creative roles has allowed him to make a significant impact in the entertainment industry, and his acting career continues to be an important part of his overall body of work.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
121 titles- Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man! (2026) as Self - Comedian & Filmmaker
- AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Eddie Murphy (2026) as Self
- Before (2024) as Jackson
- Poppa's House (2024) Director
- Kaleidoscope (2023) Director
- The Bear (2022) as Emmanuel Adamu
- Power Book IV: Force (2022) Director
- Ms. Pat: Y'all Wanna Hear Something Crazy? (2022) Director
- The Wonder Years (2021) Director
- Colin in Black and White (2021) Director
- A Walk with Charles Burnett (2019) as Self
- A Walk with Charles Burnett (2019) Director
- Black Lightning (2018) as Dr. Napier Frank
- Black Lightning (2018) Director
- Love Is___ (2018) Director
- Making The Five Heartbeats (2018) Director
- Making The Five Heartbeats (2018) Producer
- Playin' for Love (2015) as Coach Banks
- Playin' for Love (2015) Director
- Playin' for Love (2015) Writer
- Playin' for Love (2015) Producer
- Bill Cosby: Far From Finished (2013) Director
- Bill Cosby: Far From Finished (2013) Thanks
- Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire (2012) as Vampire Actor #1 (voice)
- In the Hive (2012) Director
- Diary of a Single Mom (2009) Director
- Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy (2009) as Self
- Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy (2009) Director
- Directors on Directing (2009) as Self
- Of Boys and Men (2008) as Holden Cole
- Of Boys and Men (2008) Producer
- Phantom Punch (2008) Director
- Tao of The Golden Mask (2007)
- South of Nowhere (2005) Director
- Black in the 80s (2005) as Self
- Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!! (2003) as Self
- Black Listed (2003) as Alan Chambers
- Black Listed (2003) Director
- Undercover Brother (2002) as Mr. UB
- I Was a Teenage Faust (2002) as Mr. Five
- 10,000 Black Men Named George (2002) Director
- Book of Love: The Definitive Reason Why Men Are Dogs (2002)
- Carmen: A Hip Hopera (2001) Director
- Holiday Heart (2000) Director
- Sidney Poitier: One Bright Light (2000)
- Up, Up, and Away (2000) as Jim Marshall / Bronze Eagle
- Up, Up, and Away (2000) Director
- Little Richard (2000) Director
- Livin' for Love: The Natalie Cole Story (2000) Director
- Jackie's Back! (1999) as Robert Townsend
- Jackie's Back! (1999) Director
- Love Songs (1999) as Champ
- Love Songs (1999) Director
- Mercenary II: Thick & Thin (1999) as Charlie Love
- Taxman (1999) as Peyton Cody
- Joseph's Gift (1999) as James Saunders
- From Behind Closed Doors (1999) Director
- Hollywood Squares (1998) as Self - Panelist
- Motown Live (1998) as Self - Host
- B.A.P.S (1997) Director
- Stuart Hall: Representation & the Media (1997) as Archive Footage (Hollywood Shuffle)
- Great Drives (1996) as Self - Host
- Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child (1995) as Rumpelstiltskin (voice)
- The Parent 'Hood (1995) as Robert Peterson
- The Parent 'Hood (1995) Director
- The Parent 'Hood (1995) Producer
- The Parent 'Hood (1995) Creator
- The Legend of Dolemite! Bigger & Badder (1994) as Self
- The Meteor Man (1993) as Jefferson Reed
- The Meteor Man (1993) Director
- The Meteor Man (1993) Screenplay
- The Meteor Man (1993) Producer
- The Carol Burnett Show (1991)
- The Five Heartbeats (1991) as Duck
- The Five Heartbeats (1991) Director
- The Five Heartbeats (1991) Writer
- The Five Heartbeats (1991) Producer
- Robin Harris: One Night Stand (1990) as Bum #3
- The Mighty Quinn (1989) as Maubee
- That's Adequate (1989) as Standup Comic
- Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 4 (1989)
- Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 4 (1989) Writer
- Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 4 (1989) Executive Producer
- Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 4 (1989) Director
- Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 3 (1989)
- Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 3 (1989) Director
- Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 3 (1989) Executive Producer
- Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 3 (1989) Writer
- I'm Gonna Git You Sucka (1988) as Minor Role (uncredited)
- Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute (1988) as Self
- Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 2 (1988)
- Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 2 (1988) Writer
- Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 2 (1988) Director
- Eddie Murphy Raw (1987) Director
- Hollywood Shuffle (1987) as Bobby Taylor
- Hollywood Shuffle (1987) Director
- Hollywood Shuffle (1987) Writer
- Hollywood Shuffle (1987) Producer
- Uptown Comedy Express (1987)
- Uptown Comedy Express (1987) Writer
- Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 1 (1987)
- Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 1 (1987) Director
- Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 1 (1987) Writer
- Ratboy (1986) as Manny
- Odd Jobs (1986) as Dwight
- Rodney Dangerfield: It's Not Easy Bein' Me (1986) as Self
- Rodney Dangerfield: It's Not Easy Bein' Me (1986) Writer
- Amazing Stories (1985) as Billy Burliss
- American Flyers (1985) as Jerome
- Streets of Fire (1984) as The Sorels - Lester
- A Soldier's Story (1984) as Corporal Ellis
- In Love with an Older Woman (1982) as James
- Senior Trip (1981) as Randy
- Willie & Phil (1980) as Thin Boy
- The Warriors (1979) as Baseball Fury (uncredited)
- Women at West Point (1979) as Russell Baker
- The Monkey Hustle (1976) as Musician
- Mahogany (1975) as Extra (uncredited)
- Cooley High (1975) as Basketball Player in Gym Class
- M*A*S*H (1972) as Patient
- Townsend Television Creator
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Robert Townsend best known for?
Robert Townsend is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including The 51st AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Eddie Murphy (2026), Before (2024), Kaleidoscope (2023), The Bear (2022).
When and where was Robert Townsend born?
Robert Townsend was born on February 6, 1957 in Chicago, Illinois, USA.
How many credits does Robert Townsend have?
Robert Townsend has accumulated over 121 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1972 to 2026.
What is Robert Townsend's background in cinema and television?
Robert Townsend is an American actor. He was born on February 6, 1957, in Chicago, Illinois. Townsend is known for his work in various films and television shows. He is also a director, comedian, and writer. As an actor, Townsend has appeared in films such as The Five Heartbeats and has starred in the sitcom The Parent...
Robert Townsend by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- The Bear (2022) as Emmanuel Adamu — aged about 65
- M*A*S*H (1972) as Patient — aged about 15
- The Warriors (1979) as Baseball Fury (uncredited) — aged about 22
- Hollywood Squares (1998) as Self - Panelist — aged about 41
- Amazing Stories (1985) as Billy Burliss — aged about 28
- The Parent 'Hood (1995) as Robert Peterson — aged about 38
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