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Robert Townsend

Robert Townsend

Birthday: 1957-02-06 | Place of Birth: Chicago, Illinois, USA

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.

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Known For

Acting

Year
Title

Role

2015
Playin' for Love

as    Coach Banks

2008
Of Boys and Men

as    Holden Cole

2005
Black in the 80s

as    Self

2003
Black Listed

as    Alan Chambers

2002
I Was a Teenage Faust

as    Mr. Five

2000
Up, Up, and Away

as    Jim Marshall / Bronze Eagle

1999
Mercenary II: Thick & Thin

as    Charlie Love

1999
Joseph's Gift

as    James Saunders

1999
Taxman

as    Peyton Cody

1998
Motown Live

as    Self - Host

1995
The Parent 'Hood

as    Robert Peterson

1993
The Meteor Man

as    Jefferson Reed

1991
The Five Heartbeats

as    Duck

1990
1989
The Mighty Quinn

as    Maubee

1987
Hollywood Shuffle

as    Bobby Taylor

1986
Odd Jobs

as    Dwight

1986
Ratboy

as    Manny