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Robert Townsend (I) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 13 | slideshow | view official photos) Videos (see all 17)
Hollywood Shuffle (1987) -- In the style of 'Kentucky Fried Movie', writer-director Robert Townsend lampoons Hollywood's perception of blacks--and racial stereotypes in general.
Hollywood Shuffle (1987) -- Bobby Taylor's wife reveals her true feelings to a news reporter.
"Diary of a Single Mom" (2009): Season 1: Episode 3 -- Jarrett’s quickly lost his girlfriend, his home and his job. There’s nowhere left to go but up, right? Well, he hasn’t seen his new apartment yet…
Floods Submerge Midwest -- Widespread flooding in the Midwest has claimed at least two lives. Cynthia Bowers reports from Lafayette, Ind., Charles Crowson from Batesville, Ark., and Robert Townsend from Ellington, Mo.
The Mighty Quinn (1989) -- When police officer Xavier Quinn's childhood friend, Maubee, becomes associated with murder and a briefcase full of ten thousand dollar bills, The Mighty Quinn must clear his name. Or try to catch him, which could be even trickier.

Overview

Date of Birth:

6 February 1957, Chicago, Illinois, USA more

Contact:

View agent and legal contact info on IMDbPro.

Mini Biography:

Considered one of the most versatile talents in Hollywood today, many... more

Trivia:

Owns his own film production company, The Townsend Entertainment Corporation. more

STARmeter: ?

Down 2% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.

Awards:

3 wins & 3 nominations more

NewsDesk:
(7 articles)

American Black Film Festival Returns To Miami Next Week
 (From iCelebz. 19 June 2009, 6:22 AM, PDT)
American Black Film Festival Returns To Miami Next Week
 (From iCelebz. 19 June 2009, 6:22 AM, PDT)

US TV Schedule:

Sat. Nov. 1412:00 AMCOMEDY Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet ...  

Filmography

Jump to filmography as: In Development, Producer, Writer, Actor, Director, Soundtrack, Thanks, Self, Archive Footage
In Development: What's this?
  1. Lil Homiez (details only on IMDbPro)
Producer:
  1. "Diary of a Single Mom" (executive producer) (16 episodes, 2009-2010)
        - Emasculated (2010) TV episode (executive producer)
        - Promise Keeper (2010) TV episode (executive producer)
        - Snap-Back (2009) TV episode (executive producer)
        - Hiding Out (2009) TV episode (executive producer)
        - The Meek Shall Inherit the Earth (2009) TV episode (executive producer)
          (11 more)

  2. Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy (2009) (co-executive producer)
  3. Of Boys and Men (2008) (executive producer)
  4. "Partners in Crime: The Next Generation Atlanta" (2006) TV series (executive producer)
  5. CeCe Winans Straight Up (2006) (TV) (executive producer)
  6. "Thou$and Dollar Bee on the Road" (2006) TV series (executive producer)
  7. "Playhouse 22" (2006) TV series (executive producer) (unknown episodes)
  8. "The Envy Life" (2006) TV series (executive producer)
  9. "Partners in Crime" (2005) TV series (executive producer)
  10. "Spoken" (2004) TV series (executive producer)
  11. "Black College Talent Hour" (2004) TV series (executive producer)
  12. "Thousand Dollar Bee" (2004) TV series (executive producer)
  13. "Souled Out" (2004) TV series (executive producer)
  14. "Speaker's Box" (2004) TV series (executive producer)
  15. "Lisa Knight and the Round Table" (2004) TV series (executive producer)

  16. "The Parent 'Hood" (executive producer) (76 episodes, 1995-1999) (co-executive producer) (13 episodes, 1995)
        - Wedding Bells Blues (1999) TV episode (executive producer)
        - Something About Queenie (1999) TV episode (executive producer)
        - To Kiss or Not to Kiss (1999) TV episode (executive producer)
        - Integrity to Block (1999) TV episode (executive producer)
        - Old Men Can't Jump (1999) TV episode (executive producer)
          (84 more)
  17. "Townsend Television" (1993) TV series (executive producer) (1993)
  18. The Meteor Man (1993) (producer)
  19. The Five Heartbeats (1991) (producer)
  20. The Best of Robert Townsend & His Partners in Crime (1991) (TV) (executive producer)

  21. Hollywood Shuffle (1987) (producer)
    ... aka Robert Townsend's Hollywood Shuffle (USA: video title)
Writer:
  1. Night on the Townsend with Robert Townsend (2009) (TV) (completed) (writer)

  2. Black Listed (2003) (V) (written by)
    ... aka Blacklisted (UK: DVD title)

  3. "The Parent 'Hood" (83 episodes, 1995-1999)
        - Wedding Bells Blues (1999) TV episode (creator)
        - Something About Queenie (1999) TV episode (creator)
        - To Kiss or Not to Kiss (1999) TV episode (creator)
        - Integrity to Block (1999) TV episode (creator)
        - Old Men Can't Jump (1999) TV episode (creator)
          (78 more)
  4. "Townsend Television" (1993) TV series (creator) (1993) (writer)
  5. The Meteor Man (1993) (written by)
  6. The Five Heartbeats (1991) (written by)

  7. Uptown Comedy Express (1987) (TV) (writer)
  8. Hollywood Shuffle (1987) (written by)
    ... aka Robert Townsend's Hollywood Shuffle (USA: video title)
Actor:
  1. Of Boys and Men (2008) .... Holden Cole
  2. Black Listed (2003) (V) .... Alan Chambers
    ... aka Blacklisted (UK: DVD title)
  3. I Was a Teenage Faust (2002) (TV) .... Mr. Five
  4. Undercover Brother (2002) .... Mr. UB
  5. Book of Love (2002)
  6. Up, Up, and Away! (2000) (TV) .... Jim Marshall / Bronze Eagle

  7. "The Parent 'Hood" .... Robert Peterson (36 episodes, 1995-1999)
        - Wedding Bells Blues (1999) TV episode .... Robert Peterson
        - To Kiss or Not to Kiss (1999) TV episode .... Robert Peterson
        - Integrity to Block (1999) TV episode .... Robert Peterson
        - Mommy Dearest (1999) TV episode .... Robert Peterson
        - 'Hood Sweet' Hood: Part 2 (1999) TV episode .... Robert Peterson
          (31 more)
  8. Love Songs (1999) (TV) .... Champ (segment "Love Song for Champ, A")
  9. Taxman (1999/II) .... Peyton Cody
  10. "Motown Live" (1998) TV series .... Host (unknown episodes, 1998-1999)
  11. Joseph's Gift (1998) .... James Saunders
  12. Mercenary II: Thick & Thin (1997) (TV) .... Charlie Love
    ... aka Thick and Thin (USA: alternative title)
  13. Bliss (1995/II) (TV) .... Dr. Barry Sullivan
  14. The Meteor Man (1993) .... Jefferson Reed
  15. "The Carol Burnett Show" (1991) TV series .... Skit characters (unknown episodes)
  16. The Five Heartbeats (1991) .... Duck
  17. The Best of Robert Townsend & His Partners in Crime (1991) (TV) .... Host/Various Characters
  18. "One Night Stand" .... Bum #3 (1 episode, 1990)
        - Episode dated 3 March 1990 (1990) TV episode .... Bum #3

  19. The Mighty Quinn (1989) .... Maubee
  20. That's Adequate (1989) .... Stand-up Comic
  21. I'm Gonna Git You Sucka (1988) (uncredited)
    ... aka I'm Gonna Git You, Sucka (USA: informal alternative title)
  22. Hollywood Shuffle (1987) .... Bobby Taylor / Jasper / Speed / Sam Ace / Rambro
    ... aka Robert Townsend's Hollywood Shuffle (USA: video title)
  23. "Amazing Stories" .... Billy Burliss (1 episode, 1987)
    ... aka Steven Spielberg Presents Amazing Stories (Australia)
    ... aka Steven Spielberg's Amazing Stories (USA: complete title)
        - The 21-Inch Sun (1987) TV episode .... Billy Burliss
  24. Ratboy (1986) .... Manny
  25. Odd Jobs (1986) .... Dwight
    ... aka Summer Jobs (USA: alternative title)
    ... aka This End Up (USA: alternative title)
  26. American Flyers (1985) .... Jerome
  27. A Soldier's Story (1984) .... Corporal Ellis
  28. Streets of Fire (1984) .... Lester - The Sorels
  29. "M*A*S*H" .... Patient (1 episode, 1982)
        - Bombshells (1982) TV episode .... Patient
  30. In Love with an Older Woman (1982) (TV)
  31. Senior Trip (1981) (TV) .... Randy
  32. Willie & Phil (1980) .... Thin Boy
    ... aka Paul Mazurksy's Willie & Phil (USA: poster title)

  33. Women at West Point (1979) (TV) .... Russell Baker
  34. The Warriors (1979) (uncredited) .... Baseball Fury
  35. "Watch Your Mouth" (1978) TV series
  36. The Monkey Hu$tle (1976) .... Musician
  37. Mahogany (1975) (uncredited) .... Extra
  38. Cooley High (1975) (uncredited) .... Basketball player in gym class
Director:
  1. "Diary of a Single Mom" (16 episodes, 2009-2010)
        - Emasculated (2010) TV episode
        - Promise Keeper (2010) TV episode
        - Snap-Back (2009) TV episode
        - Hiding Out (2009) TV episode
        - The Meek Shall Inherit the Earth (2009) TV episode
          (11 more)

  2. Phantom Punch (2009)
  3. Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy (2009)
  4. "Unfabulous" (1 episode, 2007)
        - The Quest (2007) TV episode
  5. "South of Nowhere" (3 episodes, 2005-2006)
        - Love & War and Love & War (2006) TV episode
        - Under My Skin (2006) TV episode
        - Friends with Benefits (2005) TV episode
  6. The Story of Beyoncé (2006) (TV) (earlier footage)
  7. "Partners in Crime" (2005) TV series
  8. Black Listed (2003) (V)
    ... aka Blacklisted (UK: DVD title)
  9. "Soul Food" (1 episode, 2002)
        - Tonight at Noon (2002) TV episode
  10. 10,000 Black Men Named George (2002) (TV)
  11. Carmen: A Hip Hopera (2001) (TV)
  12. Holiday Heart (2000) (TV)
  13. Livin' for Love: The Natalie Cole Story (2000) (TV)
    ... aka The Natalie Cole Story (USA: short title)
  14. Little Richard (2000) (TV)
  15. Up, Up, and Away! (2000) (TV)

  16. "The Parent 'Hood" (8 episodes, 1997-1999)
        - Wedding Bells Blues (1999) TV episode
        - To Kiss or Not to Kiss (1999) TV episode
        - Integrity to Block (1999) TV episode
        - Mommy Dearest (1999) TV episode
        - 'Hood Sweet' Hood: Part 2 (1999) TV episode
          (3 more)
  17. Jackie's Back! (1999) (TV)
    ... aka Jackie's Back: Portrait of a Diva (USA: alternative title)
  18. Love Songs (1999) (TV) (segment "Love Song for Jean and Ellis, A")
  19. Fraternity Boys (1999)
  20. The 20th Century: From Behind Closed Doors (1999) (TV)
  21. B*A*P*S (1997)
    ... aka B.A.P.S.
  22. "Townsend Television" (1993) TV series (film segment director) (1993)
  23. The Meteor Man (1993)
  24. The Five Heartbeats (1991)
  25. The Best of Robert Townsend & His Partners in Crime (1991) (TV)

  26. Eddie Murphy Raw (1987)
    ... aka Raw (USA: short title)
    ... aka Raw: The Concert Movie (USA: poster title)
  27. Hollywood Shuffle (1987)
    ... aka Robert Townsend's Hollywood Shuffle (USA: video title)
Soundtrack:
  1. Phantom Punch (2009) (lyrics: "If You Want My Love", "The Man That I Love")

  2. The Five Heartbeats (1991) ("America")
Thanks:
  1. The Weekend It Lives (1992) (special thanks)
    ... aka Ax 'Em (USA: new title)
Self:
  1. For Love of Liberty: The Story of America's Black Patriots (2010) (TV) (post-production) (voice)
  2. Directors on Directing (2009) (post-production) .... Robert Townsend
  3. Night on the Townsend with Robert Townsend (2009) (TV) (completed) .... Himself

  4. 11-04-08: The Day of Change (2009) (TV) .... Himself
  5. Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy (2009) .... Himself
  6. "Battleground Earth: Ludacris vs. Tommy Lee" .... Himself (1 episode, 2008)
        - You've Got Junk Mail (2008) TV episode .... Himself
  7. Tao of the Golden Mask (2007) .... Lead
  8. We Don't Die, We Multiply: The Robin Harris Story (2006) (V) .... Himself
  9. An Evening of Stars: Tribute to Stevie Wonder (2006) (TV) .... Himself
  10. The Black Movie Awards (2005) (TV) .... Himself
  11. The 20th IFP Independent Spirit Awards (2005) (TV) .... Himself (presenter: Best Cinematography)
  12. "Black in the 80s" (2005) TV mini-series .... Himself
  13. Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!! (2003) (TV) .... Himself
    ... aka Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!! - Uncensored (USA: DVD title)
  14. The Script (2002) .... Himself
  15. Casting for Glinda (2001) (V) .... Himself
  16. An Evening of Stars: A Celebration of Educational Excellence (2001) (TV) .... Co-Host
  17. "American Masters" .... Director / ... (1 episode, 2000)
        - Sidney Poitier: One Bright Light (2000) TV episode .... Himself - Actor/Director

  18. "Hollywood Squares" .... Guest Appearance (5 episodes, 1999)
    ... aka H² (USA: promotional abbreviation)
    ... aka H2: Hollywood Squares (USA: fifth season title)
        - Episode dated 31 July 1999 (1999) TV episode .... Guest Appearance
        - Episode dated 30 July 1999 (1999) TV episode .... Guest Appearance
        - Episode dated 29 July 1999 (1999) TV episode .... Guest Appearance
        - Episode dated 28 July 1999 (1999) TV episode .... Guest Appearance
        - Episode dated 27 July 1999 (1999) TV episode .... Guest Appearance
  19. Jackie's Back! (1999) (TV) .... Himself
    ... aka Jackie's Back: Portrait of a Diva (USA: alternative title)
  20. "Celebrity Profile" .... Himself (1 episode)
        - Diahann Carroll (????) TV episode .... Himself
  21. "The Daily Show" .... Himself (1 episode, 1998)
    ... aka A Daily Show with Jon Stewart (USA: new title)
    ... aka Jon Stewart (Australia)
    ... aka The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (USA: new title)
    ... aka The Daily Show with Jon Stewart Global Edition (International: English title: cut version)
        - Episode dated 5 January 1998 (1998) TV episode .... Himself
  22. "Motown Live" .... Himself (8 episodes, 1998)
        - Episode #1.2 (1998) TV episode .... Himself
        - Episode #1.3 (1998) TV episode .... Himself
        - Episode #1.4 (1998) TV episode .... Himself
        - Episode #1.5 (1998) TV episode .... Himself
        - Episode #1.6 (1998) TV episode .... Himself
          (3 more)
  23. "The Chris Rock Show" .... Himself (1 episode, 1997)
        - Episode #1.6 (1997) TV episode .... Himself
  24. "The Rosie O'Donnell Show" .... Himself (1 episode, 1997)
        - Episode dated 5 May 1997 (1997) TV episode .... Himself
  25. "Late Show with David Letterman" .... Himself (1 episode, 1997)
    ... aka Late Show Backstage (USA: title for episodes with guest hosts)
    ... aka Letterman (Australia)
    ... aka The Late Show (USA: informal short title)
        - Episode dated 19 March 1997 (1997) TV episode .... Himself
  26. "Great Drives" (1996) TV mini-series .... Host (volume 2: Route 66)
  27. The Second Annual Comedy Hall of Fame (1994) (TV) .... Himself
  28. "Soul Train" .... Himself - Host (1 episode, 1994)
        - Episode #24.1 (1994) TV episode .... Himself - Host
  29. Apollo Theatre Hall of Fame (1994) (TV) .... Himself/Host
  30. "Townsend Television" (1993) TV series .... Himself/Various Characters
  31. Comic Relief V (1992) (TV) .... Himself
  32. A Party for Richard Pryor (1991) (TV) .... Himself
  33. Ray Charles: 50 Years in Music (1991) (TV) .... Himself
  34. "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" .... Himself (2 episodes, 1987-1991)
    ... aka The Best of Carson (USA: rerun title)
        - Episode dated 12 June 1991 (1991) TV episode .... Himself
        - Episode dated 16 April 1987 (1987) TV episode .... Himself
  35. "Ebony/Jet Showcase" .... Himself (2 episodes, 1987-1991)
        - Episode dated 15 February 1991 (1991) TV episode .... Himself
        - Episode dated 25 September 1987 (1987) TV episode .... Himself
  36. The Movie Awards (1991) (TV) .... Himself (host)
  37. "MMC" .... Himself (1 episode, 1991)
    ... aka Club MMC
    ... aka The All New Mickey Mouse Club (USA: new title)
    ... aka The Mickey Mouse Club
        - Go Party! (1991) TV episode .... Himself
  38. "Saturday Night Clive" .... Himself (1 episode, 1990)
        - Episode #3.7 (1990) TV episode .... Himself

  39. All-Star Tribute to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1989) (TV) .... Himself
  40. New Edition Past and Present (1989) (V) .... Himself
  41. 21st NAACP Image Awards (1989) (TV) .... Himself
  42. The 9th Annual American Black Achievement Awards (1988) (TV) .... Himself
  43. 20th NAACP Image Awards (1988) (TV) .... Himself
  44. Uptown Comedy Express (1987) (TV) .... Himself
  45. "The Late Show" .... Himself (1 episode, 1987)
    ... aka The Late Show Starring Joan Rivers (USA: first season title)
        - Episode dated 17 April 1987 (1987) TV episode .... Himself
  46. Rodney Dangerfield: It's Not Easy Bein' Me (1986) (TV) .... Himself
Archive Footage:
  1. Edge of Outside (2006) .... Bobby Taylor
  2. TV in Black: The First Fifty Years (2004) (V)

Additional Details

Other Works:

Xommercial break teaser for Anamainiacs on Kids' WB (Late 90s) more

Publicity Listings:

1 Article more

Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Music | Documentary more

Plot Keywords:

African American | Character Name In Title | Independent Film | TV Special more

Message Boards

Discuss this person with other users on IMDb message board for Robert Townsend (I)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
THE FIVE HEARTBEATS tim-1174
1980s evening at the improv hmangler
Cooley High.... tanya-hamilton
Townsend short film not on DVD... JasperCohen
Does anyone else remember watching him on PBS? lorainlexington-1
Of Boys and Men? FmUoCoKk
more
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