Robert Townsend

Robert Townsend

Acting

Born February 6, 1957 · Chicago, Illinois, USA

38 films as director · Active 1987–2024

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 Mete…

Known for

The Bear

The Bear

2022

Hollywood Squares

Hollywood Squares

1998

M*A*S*H

M*A*S*H

1972

Black Lightning

Black Lightning

2018

Amazing Stories

Amazing Stories

1985

Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child

Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child

1995

Before

Before

2024

The Warriors

The Warriors

1979

Directed(38)

Ms. Pat: Y'all Wanna Hear Something Crazy?

2022Ms. Pat: Y'all Wanna Hear Something Crazy?★ 6.2

A Walk with Charles Burnett

2019A Walk with Charles Burnett

Making The Five Heartbeats

2018Making The Five Heartbeats

Playin' for Love

2015Playin' for Love★ 5.0

Bill Cosby: Far From Finished

2013Bill Cosby: Far From Finished★ 7.0

In the Hive

2012In the Hive★ 4.8

Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy

2009Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy★ 8.0

Diary of a Single Mom

2009Diary of a Single Mom★ 4.0

Phantom Punch

2008Phantom Punch★ 5.3

Black Listed

2003Black Listed★ 4.0

10,000 Black Men Named George

200210,000 Black Men Named George★ 3.9

Carmen: A Hip Hopera

2001Carmen: A Hip Hopera★ 6.4

Little Richard

2000Little Richard★ 6.6

Up, Up, and Away

2000Up, Up, and Away★ 5.5

Livin' for Love: The Natalie Cole Story

2000Livin' for Love: The Natalie Cole Story★ 7.6

Holiday Heart

2000Holiday Heart★ 7.0

From Behind Closed Doors

1999From Behind Closed Doors★ 10.0

Jackie's Back!

1999Jackie's Back!★ 6.9

Love Songs

1999Love Songs★ 8.7

B.A.P.S

1997B.A.P.S★ 5.4

The Meteor Man

1993The Meteor Man★ 5.8

The Five Heartbeats

1991The Five Heartbeats★ 7.3

Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 3

1989Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 3

Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 4

1989Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 4

Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 2

1988Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 2

Hollywood Shuffle

1987Hollywood Shuffle★ 6.5

Eddie Murphy Raw

1987Eddie Murphy Raw★ 7.3

Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 1

1987Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 1

Acting(62)

2026The 51st AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Eddie MurphySelf

2026Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man!Self - Comedian & Filmmaker

2024BeforeJackson

Robert Townsend — Watchpile | Watchpile

2022The BearEmmanuel Adamu

2019A Walk with Charles BurnettSelf

2018Black LightningDr. Napier Frank

2015Playin' for LoveCoach Banks

2012Scooby-Doo! Music of the VampireVampire Actor #1 (voice)

2009Directors on DirectingSelf

2009Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black ComedySelf

2008Of Boys and MenHolden Cole

2007Tao of The Golden Mask

2005Black in the 80sSelf

2003Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!!Self

2003Black ListedAlan Chambers

2002I Was a Teenage FaustMr. Five

2002Undercover BrotherMr. UB

2002Book of Love: The Definitive Reason Why Men Are Dogs

2000Sidney Poitier: One Bright Light

2000Up, Up, and AwayJim Marshall / Bronze Eagle

1999TaxmanPeyton Cody

1999Mercenary II: Thick & ThinCharlie Love

1999Jackie's Back!Robert Townsend

1999Love SongsChamp

1999Joseph's GiftJames Saunders

1998Motown LiveSelf - Host

1998Hollywood SquaresSelf - Panelist

1997Stuart Hall: Representation & the MediaArchive Footage (Hollywood Shuffle)

1996Great DrivesSelf - Host

1995Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every ChildRumpelstiltskin (voice)

1995The Parent 'HoodRobert Peterson

1994The Legend of Dolemite! Bigger & BadderSelf

1993The Meteor ManJefferson Reed

1991The Carol Burnett Show

1991The Five HeartbeatsDuck

1990Robin Harris: One Night StandBum #3

1989Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 4

1989Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 3

1989The Mighty QuinnMaubee

1989That's AdequateStandup Comic

1988I'm Gonna Git You SuckaMinor Role (uncredited)

1988Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 2

1988Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday TributeSelf

1987Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 1

1987Uptown Comedy Express

1987Hollywood ShuffleBobby Taylor

1986RatboyManny

1986Rodney Dangerfield: It's Not Easy Bein' MeSelf

1986Odd JobsDwight

1985Amazing StoriesBilly Burliss

1985American FlyersJerome

1984A Soldier's StoryCorporal Ellis

1984Streets of FireThe Sorels - Lester

1982In Love with an Older WomanJames

1981Senior TripRandy

1980Willie & PhilThin Boy

1979Women at West PointRussell Baker

1979The WarriorsBaseball Fury (uncredited)

1976The Monkey HustleMusician

1975MahoganyExtra (uncredited)

1975Cooley HighBasketball Player in Gym Class

1972M*A*S*HPatient