Portrait of Robert Townsend

Robert Townsend

Bio: 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
Born: Wed, Feb 06 1957
Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, USA
Robert Townsend is 67 years old
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Acting Roles
Crew Roles

Movies (Acting Roles)

Sorted by Release Date
Poster of A Walk with Charles Burnett
A Walk with Charles Burnett
Robert Townsend was
62 in A Walk with Charles Burnett
as 'Self'.
Wed, Feb 27 2019
Poster of Playin' for Love
Playin' for Love
Robert Townsend was
57 in Playin' for Love
as 'Coach Banks'.
Fri, Jan 16 2015
Poster of Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire
Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire
Robert Townsend was
55 in Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire
as 'Vampire Actor #1 (voice)'.
Wed, Mar 07 2012
Poster of Directors on Directing
Directors on Directing
Robert Townsend was
52 in Directors on Directing
as 'Self'.
Thu, Sep 24 2009
Poster of Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy
Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy
Robert Townsend was
51 in Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy
as 'Self'.
Thu, Jan 01 2009
Poster of Of Boys and Men
Of Boys and Men
Robert Townsend was
51 in Of Boys and Men
as 'Holden Cole'.
Tue, Oct 21 2008
Poster of Tao of The Golden Mask
Tao of The Golden Mask
Robert Townsend was
50 in Tao of The Golden Mask
Sat, Jun 23 2007
Poster of Edge of Outside
Edge of Outside
Robert Townsend was
49 in Edge of Outside
as 'Bobby Taylor (archive footage)'.
Sun, Jun 11 2006
Poster of Black Listed
Black Listed
Robert Townsend was
45 in Black Listed
as 'Alan Chambers'.
Tue, Jan 21 2003
Poster of Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!!
Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!!
Robert Townsend was
45 in Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!!
as 'Self'.
Wed, Jan 01 2003
Poster of I Was a Teenage Faust
I Was a Teenage Faust
Robert Townsend was
45 in I Was a Teenage Faust
as 'Mr. Five'.
Sat, Jun 01 2002
Poster of Undercover Brother
Undercover Brother
Robert Townsend was
45 in Undercover Brother
as 'Mr. UB'.
Fri, May 31 2002
Poster of Book of Love: The Definitive Reason Why Men Are Dogs
Book of Love: The Definitive Reason Why Men Are Dogs
Robert Townsend was
45 in Book of Love: The Definitive Reason Why Men Are Dogs
Thu, Feb 14 2002
Poster of Sidney Poitier: One Bright Light
Sidney Poitier: One Bright Light
Robert Townsend was
42 in Sidney Poitier: One Bright Light
Wed, Feb 02 2000
Poster of Up, Up, and Away
Up, Up, and Away
Robert Townsend was
42 in Up, Up, and Away
as 'Jim Marshall / Bronze Eagle'.
Sat, Jan 22 2000
Poster of Taxman
Taxman
Robert Townsend was
42 in Taxman
as 'Peyton Cody'.
Thu, Sep 16 1999
Poster of Mercenary II: Thick & Thin
Mercenary II: Thick & Thin
Robert Townsend was
42 in Mercenary II: Thick & Thin
as 'Charlie Love'.
Tue, Jul 20 1999
Poster of Jackie's Back!
Jackie's Back!
Robert Townsend was
42 in Jackie's Back!
as 'Robert Townsend'.
Mon, Jun 14 1999
Poster of Love Songs
Love Songs
Robert Townsend was
42 in Love Songs
as 'Champ'.
Sun, Apr 25 1999
Poster of Joseph's Gift
Joseph's Gift
Robert Townsend was
41 in Joseph's Gift
as 'James Saunders'.
Fri, Jan 01 1999
Poster of Stuart Hall: Representation & the Media
Stuart Hall: Representation & the Media
Robert Townsend was
39 in Stuart Hall: Representation & the Media
as 'Archive Footage (Hollywood Shuffle)'.
Wed, Jan 01 1997
Poster of The Legend of Dolemite! Bigger & Badder
The Legend of Dolemite! Bigger & Badder
Robert Townsend was
36 in The Legend of Dolemite! Bigger & Badder
as 'Self'.
Sat, Jan 01 1994
Poster of The Meteor Man
The Meteor Man
Robert Townsend was
36 in The Meteor Man
as 'Jefferson Reed'.
Fri, Aug 06 1993
Poster of The Five Heartbeats
The Five Heartbeats
Robert Townsend was
34 in The Five Heartbeats
as 'Duck'.
Fri, Mar 29 1991
Poster of Robin Harris: One Night Stand
Robin Harris: One Night Stand
Robert Townsend was
33 in Robin Harris: One Night Stand
as 'Bum #3'.
Sat, Mar 03 1990
Poster of Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 4
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 4
Robert Townsend was
32 in Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 4
Sat, Sep 16 1989
Poster of Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 3
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 3
Robert Townsend was
32 in Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 3
Sat, May 20 1989
Poster of The Mighty Quinn
The Mighty Quinn
Robert Townsend was
32 in The Mighty Quinn
as 'Maubee'.
Fri, Feb 17 1989
Poster of That's Adequate
That's Adequate
Robert Townsend was
31 in That's Adequate
as 'Standup Comic'.
Sun, Jan 01 1989
Poster of I'm Gonna Git You Sucka
I'm Gonna Git You Sucka
Robert Townsend was
31 in I'm Gonna Git You Sucka
as 'Minor Role (uncredited)'.
Thu, Nov 10 1988
Poster of Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 2
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 2
Robert Townsend was
31 in Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 2
Sat, Sep 24 1988
Poster of Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 1
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 1
Robert Townsend was
30 in Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 1
Sat, Dec 19 1987
Poster of Uptown Comedy Express
Uptown Comedy Express
Robert Townsend was
30 in Uptown Comedy Express
Sat, May 09 1987
Poster of Hollywood Shuffle
Hollywood Shuffle
Robert Townsend was
30 in Hollywood Shuffle
as 'Bobby Taylor'.
Fri, Mar 20 1987
Poster of Ratboy
Ratboy
Robert Townsend was
29 in Ratboy
as 'Manny'.
Fri, Oct 17 1986
Poster of Rodney Dangerfield: It's Not Easy Bein' Me
Rodney Dangerfield: It's Not Easy Bein' Me
Robert Townsend was
29 in Rodney Dangerfield: It's Not Easy Bein' Me
as 'himself'.
Sat, Sep 06 1986
Poster of Odd Jobs
Odd Jobs
Robert Townsend was
29 in Odd Jobs
as 'Dwight'.
Sat, Mar 01 1986
Poster of American Flyers
American Flyers
Robert Townsend was
28 in American Flyers
as 'Jerome'.
Fri, Aug 16 1985
Poster of A Soldier's Story
A Soldier's Story
Robert Townsend was
27 in A Soldier's Story
as 'Corporal Ellis'.
Fri, Sep 14 1984
Poster of Streets of Fire
Streets of Fire
Robert Townsend was
27 in Streets of Fire
as 'The Sorels - Lester'.
Fri, Jun 01 1984
Poster of In Love with an Older Woman
In Love with an Older Woman
Robert Townsend was
25 in In Love with an Older Woman
as 'James'.
Wed, Nov 24 1982
Poster of Senior Trip
Senior Trip
Robert Townsend was
24 in Senior Trip
as 'Randy'.
Wed, Dec 30 1981
Poster of Willie and Phil
Willie and Phil
Robert Townsend was
23 in Willie and Phil
as 'Thin Boy'.
Fri, Aug 15 1980
Poster of Women at West Point
Women at West Point
Robert Townsend was
22 in Women at West Point
as 'Russell Baker'.
Tue, Feb 27 1979
Poster of The Warriors
The Warriors
Robert Townsend was
21 in The Warriors
as 'Baseball Fury (uncredited)'.
Thu, Feb 01 1979
Poster of The Monkey Hustle
The Monkey Hustle
Robert Townsend was
19 in The Monkey Hustle
as 'Musician'.
Fri, Dec 24 1976
Poster of Cooley High
Cooley High
Robert Townsend was
18 in Cooley High
as 'Basketball Player in Gym Class'.
Wed, Jun 25 1975

TV Shows (Acting Roles)

Sorted by Release Date
Ages in TV shows are based off the first air date and may not be accurate. View individual episode details for accurate ages
Poster of The Bear
The Bear
Robert Townsend was
65+ in The Bear
as 'Emmanuel Adamu'.
First Air Date
Thu, Jun 23 2022
Poster of Black Lightning
Black Lightning
Robert Townsend was
60+ in Black Lightning
as 'Dr. Napier Frank'.
First Air Date
Tue, Jan 16 2018
Poster of Black in the 80s
Black in the 80s
Robert Townsend was
47+ in Black in the 80s
as 'Self'.
First Air Date
Tue, Feb 01 2005
Poster of Hollywood Squares
Hollywood Squares
Robert Townsend was
41+ in Hollywood Squares
First Air Date
Mon, Sep 14 1998
Poster of Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child
Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child
Robert Townsend was
38+ in Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child
as 'Rumpelstiltskin (voice)'.
First Air Date
Sun, Mar 12 1995
Poster of The Parent 'Hood
The Parent 'Hood
Robert Townsend was
37+ in The Parent 'Hood
as 'Robert Peterson'.
First Air Date
Wed, Jan 18 1995
Poster of The Carol Burnett Show
The Carol Burnett Show
Robert Townsend was
34+ in The Carol Burnett Show
First Air Date
Fri, Nov 01 1991
Poster of Amazing Stories
Amazing Stories
Robert Townsend was
28+ in Amazing Stories
as 'Billy Burliss'.
First Air Date
Sun, Sep 29 1985
Poster of M*A*S*H
M*A*S*H
Robert Townsend was
15+ in M*A*S*H
as 'Patient'.
First Air Date
Sun, Sep 17 1972