Robert Townsend
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.
Acting
Movie
The Warriors
as Baseball Fury (uncredited)
1979
TV
The Bear
as Emmanuel Adamu
2022
TV
Black Lightning
as Dr. Napier Frank
2018
TV
M*A*S*H
as Patient
1972
Movie
Streets of Fire
as The Sorels - Lester
1984
Movie
Undercover Brother
as Mr. UB
2002
TV
Amazing Stories
as Billy Burliss
1985
Movie
I'm Gonna Git You Sucka
as Minor Role (uncredited)
1988
Movie
Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire
as Vampire Actor #1 (voice)
2012
Movie
A Soldier's Story
as Corporal Ellis
1984
Movie
The Meteor Man
as Jefferson Reed
1993
Movie
The Mighty Quinn
as Maubee
1989
Movie
American Flyers
as Jerome
1985
Movie
Hollywood Shuffle
as Bobby Taylor
1987
Movie
The Five Heartbeats
as Duck
1991
Movie
Cooley High
as Basketball Player in Gym Class
1975
TV
Before
as Jackson
2024
Movie
Up, Up, and Away
as Jim Marshall / Bronze Eagle
2000
Movie
Mahogany
as Extra (uncredited)
1975
Movie
Willie & Phil
as Thin Boy
1980
TV
The Parent 'Hood
as Robert Peterson
1995
TV
Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man!
as Self - Comedian & Filmmaker
2026
TV
Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child
as Rumpelstiltskin (voice)
1995
Movie
Ratboy
as Manny
1986
Crew
TV
Black Lightning
Director
2018
TV
Kaleidoscope
Director
2023
Movie
Eddie Murphy Raw
Director
1987
TV
Power Book IV: Force
Director
2022
TV
The Wonder Years
Director
2021
Movie
The Meteor Man
Director
1993
Movie
Hollywood Shuffle
Director
1987
Movie
B.A.P.S
Director
1997
Movie
The Five Heartbeats
Director
1991
TV
Colin in Black and White
Director
2021
Movie
Up, Up, and Away
Director
2000
Movie
Carmen: A Hip Hopera
Director
2001