Cast & creator
Robert Townsend
Best known for Hollywood Squares, M*A*S*H, The Bear
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.
97
film credits
25
television credits
63
1972–2026 · acting roles
6.5
average across scored titles
Signature credits
Known for
Across film & television
Filmography (122)
Showing 122 of 122 credits
Hollywood Squares
Self - Panelist
1998
M*A*S*H
Patient
1972
The Bear
Emmanuel Adamu
2022
Black Lightning
Dr. Napier Frank
2018Black Lightning
Director
2018
Amazing Stories
Billy Burliss
1985
Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child
Rumpelstiltskin (voice)
1995
The Parent 'Hood
Robert Peterson
1995The Parent 'Hood
Director
1995The Parent 'Hood
Producer
1995The Parent 'Hood
Creator
1995
Power Book IV: Force
Director
2022
The Wonder Years
Director
2021
Kaleidoscope
Director
2023
South of Nowhere
Director
2005
The Warriors
Baseball Fury (uncredited)
1979
Before
Jackson
2024
Poppa's House
Director
2024
Colin in Black and White
Director
2021
Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man!
Self - Comedian & Filmmaker
2026
A Soldier's Story
Corporal Ellis
1984
Love Is___
Director
2018
Undercover Brother
Mr. UB
2002
Streets of Fire
The Sorels - Lester
1984The Carol Burnett Show
1991
Black in the 80s
Self
2005Great Drives
Self - Host
1996
AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Eddie Murphy
Self
2026
Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire
Vampire Actor #1 (voice)
2012
I'm Gonna Git You Sucka
Minor Role (uncredited)
1988
The Meteor Man
Jefferson Reed
1993The Meteor Man
Screenplay
1993The Meteor Man
Producer
1993The Meteor Man
Director
1993
Eddie Murphy Raw
Director
1987
The Mighty Quinn
Maubee
1989Motown Live
Self - Host
1998
B.A.P.S
Director
1997
American Flyers
Jerome
1985
Carmen: A Hip Hopera
Director
2001
The Five Heartbeats
Duck
1991The Five Heartbeats
Director
1991The Five Heartbeats
Writer
1991The Five Heartbeats
Producer
1991
Up, Up, and Away
Jim Marshall / Bronze Eagle
2000Up, Up, and Away
Director
2000
Hollywood Shuffle
Bobby Taylor
1987Hollywood Shuffle
Director
1987Hollywood Shuffle
Writer
1987Hollywood Shuffle
Producer
1987
Diary of a Single Mom
Director
2009
Rodney Dangerfield: It's Not Easy Bein' Me
Self
1986Rodney Dangerfield: It's Not Easy Bein' Me
Writer
1986
Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy
Self
2009Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy
Director
2009
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 3
1989Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 3
Executive Producer
1989Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 3
Director
1989Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 3
Writer
1989
Willie & Phil
Thin Boy
1980
Cooley High
Basketball Player in Gym Class
1975
Women at West Point
Russell Baker
1979
Jackie's Back!
Robert Townsend
1999Jackie's Back!
Director
1999
Of Boys and Men
Holden Cole
2008Of Boys and Men
Producer
2008
Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!!
Self
2003
Book of Love: The Definitive Reason Why Men Are Dogs
2002
I Was a Teenage Faust
Mr. Five
2002
Ratboy
Manny
1986
Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute
Self
1988
Little Richard
Director
2000
Holiday Heart
Director
2000A Party For Richard Pryor
Self
1991
Love Songs
Champ
1999Love Songs
Director
1999
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 1
1987Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 1
Writer
1987Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 1
Director
1987
Ms. Pat: Y'all Wanna Hear Something Crazy?
Director
2022
10,000 Black Men Named George
Director
2002
Stuart Hall: Representation & the Media
Archive Footage (Hollywood Shuffle)
1997
Black Listed
Alan Chambers
2003Black Listed
Director
2003
Sidney Poitier: One Bright Light
2000
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 4
1989Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 4
Executive Producer
1989Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 4
Director
1989Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 4
Writer
1989
Phantom Punch
Director
2008
That's Adequate
Standup Comic
1989
Mercenary II: Thick & Thin
Charlie Love
1999
Joseph's Gift
James Saunders
1999
Playin' for Love
Coach Banks
2015Playin' for Love
Director
2015Playin' for Love
Writer
2015Playin' for Love
Producer
2015
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 2
1988Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 2
Director
1988Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 2
Writer
1988
Mahogany
Extra (uncredited)
1975
The Legend of Dolemite! Bigger & Badder
Self
1994
In the Hive
Director
2012
Livin' for Love: The Natalie Cole Story
Director
2000
Bill Cosby: Far From Finished
Director
2013Bill Cosby: Far From Finished
Thanks
2013
In Love with an Older Woman
James
1982
Odd Jobs
Dwight
1986
Senior Trip
Randy
1981
Directors on Directing
Self
2009
Taxman
Peyton Cody
1999Tao of The Golden Mask
2007
The Monkey Hustle
Musician
1976
Robin Harris: One Night Stand
Bum #3
1990
Making The Five Heartbeats
Director
2018Making The Five Heartbeats
Producer
2018
Uptown Comedy Express
1987Uptown Comedy Express
Writer
1987
From Behind Closed Doors
Director
1999
A Walk with Charles Burnett
Self
2019A Walk with Charles Burnett
Director
2019Townsend Television
Creator