Robert Townsend
Acting
62
Acting Credits
37
Directed
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 episo...
Known For
Filmography
AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Eddie Murphy
2026
as Self
Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man!
2026
as Self - Comedian & Filmmaker
Before
2024
as Jackson
The Bear
2022
as Emmanuel Adamu
A Walk with Charles Burnett
2019
as Self
Black Lightning
2018
as Dr. Napier Frank
Playin' for Love
2015
as Coach Banks
Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire
2012
as Vampire Actor #1 (voice)
Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy
2009
as Self
Directors on Directing
2009
as Self
Of Boys and Men
2008
as Holden Cole
Tao of The Golden Mask
2007
Black in the 80s
2005
as Self
Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!!
2003
as Self
Black Listed
2003
as Alan Chambers
I Was a Teenage Faust
2002
as Mr. Five
Undercover Brother
2002
as Mr. UB
Book of Love: The Definitive Reason Why Men Are Dogs
2002
Up, Up, and Away
2000
as Jim Marshall / Bronze Eagle
Sidney Poitier: One Bright Light
2000
Taxman
1999
as Peyton Cody
Mercenary II: Thick & Thin
1999
as Charlie Love
Joseph's Gift
1999
as James Saunders
Love Songs
1999
as Champ
Jackie's Back!
1999
as Robert Townsend
Hollywood Squares
1998
as Self - Panelist
Motown Live
1998
as Self - Host
Stuart Hall: Representation & the Media
1997
as Archive Footage (Hollywood Shuffle)
Great Drives
1996
as Self - Host
The Parent 'Hood
1995
as Robert Peterson
Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child
1995
as Rumpelstiltskin (voice)
The Legend of Dolemite! Bigger & Badder
1994
as Self
The Meteor Man
1993
as Jefferson Reed
The Five Heartbeats
1991
as Duck
The Carol Burnett Show
1991
Robin Harris: One Night Stand
1990
as Bum #3
The Mighty Quinn
1989
as Maubee
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 4
1989
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 3
1989
That's Adequate
1989
as Standup Comic
I'm Gonna Git You Sucka
1988
as Minor Role (uncredited)
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 2
1988
Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute
1988
as Self
Hollywood Shuffle
1987
as Bobby Taylor
Uptown Comedy Express
1987
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 1
1987
Odd Jobs
1986
as Dwight
Ratboy
1986
as Manny
Rodney Dangerfield: It's Not Easy Bein' Me
1986
as Self
American Flyers
1985
as Jerome
Amazing Stories
1985
as Billy Burliss
A Soldier's Story
1984
as Corporal Ellis
Streets of Fire
1984
as The Sorels - Lester
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
Cooley High
1975
as Basketball Player in Gym Class
Mahogany
1975
as Extra (uncredited)
M*A*S*H
1972
as Patient