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 espec ... ially 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.
| Organization | Category | Movie |
|---|
The Parent 'Hood
as Robert Peterson
Episodes: 90
First Aired: Jan 18, 1995
The Bear
as Emmanuel Adamu
Episodes: 6
First Aired: Jun 23, 2022
Black Lightning
as Dr. Napier Frank
Episodes: 3
First Aired: Jan 16, 2018
M*A*S*H
as Patient
Episodes: 1
First Aired: Sep 17, 1972
Amazing Stories
as Billy Burliss
Episodes: 1
First Aired: Sep 29, 1985
Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child
as Rumpelstiltskin (voice)
Episodes: 1
First Aired: Mar 12, 1995
The Carol Burnett Show
Episodes: 9
First Aired: Nov 01, 1991
Hollywood Squares
Episodes: 5
First Aired: Sep 14, 1998
Black in the 80s
as Self
Episodes: 3
First Aired: Feb 01, 2005
Before
Episodes: 2
First Aired: Oct 24, 2024
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