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Robert Townsend (I)

Producer | Actor | Writer

A passionate visionary and trailblazer, Hollywood Icon, Robert Townsend transcends any medium he touches. Whether he's performing stand up, acting, writing, directing, producing, or running a television network, his magic and versatile talent is undeniable. A Hollywood-pioneer well ahead of his time... See full bio »

Born:

in Chicago, Illinois, USA
More at IMDbPro » Contact Info on IMDbPro Contact Info: View agent, publicist, legal and company
Robert Townsend Regina King and Robert Townsend Josh Zuckerman with Morgan Fairchild and Robert Townsend (I) in Omar Gooding, Robert Townsend and Howie Bell The Musical Theater of Hope Headshot Still of Keenen Ivory Wayans, Robert Townsend and Lou B. Washington in Hollywood Shuffle
18 photos | 11 videos | 66 news articles »

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Known For


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Filmography

Hide HideProducer (24 titles)
2014 Playin' for Love (producer) (post-production)
 
2012 In the Hive (producer)
 
2009-2011 Diary of a Single Mom (TV series) (executive producer - 26 episodes)
– Friday (2011) (executive producer)
– Dream Cart (2011) (executive producer)
– In the Meantime (2011) (executive producer)
– Paradox (2010) (executive producer)
– Aplomb (2010) (executive producer)
See all 26 episodes »
 
2011 Los Americans (TV series) (executive producer - 8 episodes)
– Going to Mexico (2011) (executive producer)
– Family Heirloom (executive producer)
– Fish and House Guests (executive producer)
– Happy Birthday (executive producer)
– Lead Us Not Unto Temptation (executive producer)
See all 8 episodes »
 
2009 Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy (documentary) (co-executive producer)
 
2008 Of Boys and Men (executive producer)
 
2006 Partners in Crime: The Next Generation Atlanta (TV series) (executive producer)
 
2006 CeCe Winans Straight Up (TV movie) (executive producer)
 
2006 Thou$and Dollar Bee on the Road (TV series) (executive producer)
 
2006 Playhouse 22 (TV series) (executive producer)
 
2006 The Envy Life (TV series) (executive producer)
 
2005 Partners in Crime (TV series) (executive producer)
 
2004 Thousand Dollar Bee (TV series) (executive producer)
 
2004 Spoken (TV series) (executive producer)
 
2004 Speaker's Box (TV series) (executive producer)
 
2004 Souled Out (TV series) (executive producer)
 
2004 Lisa Knight and the Round Table (TV series) (executive producer)
 
2004 Black College Talent Hour (TV series) (executive producer)
 
The Parent 'Hood (TV series) (executive producer - 77 episodes, 1995-1999) (co-executive producer - 13 episodes, 1995)
– Wedding Bells Blues (1999) (executive producer)
– Something About Queenie (1999) (executive producer)
– To Kiss or Not to Kiss (1999) (executive producer)
– Integrity to Block (1999) (executive producer)
– Old Men Can't Jump (1999) (executive producer)
See all 90 episodes »
 
1993 Townsend Television (TV series) (executive producer - 10 episodes)
– Episode #1.10 (1993) (executive producer)
– Episode #1.9 (1993) (executive producer)
– Episode #1.8 (1993) (executive producer)
– Episode #1.7 (1993) (executive producer)
– Episode #1.6 (1993) (executive producer)
See all 10 episodes »
 
1993 The Meteor Man (producer)
 
1991 The Five Heartbeats (producer)
 
1991 The Best of Robert Townsend & His Partners in Crime (TV movie) (executive producer)
 
1987 Hollywood Shuffle (producer)
 
Show ShowActor (38 titles)
2014 Playin' for Love (post-production)
Coach Banks
 
2008 Of Boys and Men
Holden Cole
 
2003 Black Listed (video)
Alan Chambers
 
2002 I Was a Teenage Faust (TV movie)
Mr. Five
 
2002 Undercover Brother
Mr. UB
 
2002 Book of Love: The Definitive Reason Why Men Are Dogs
 
2000 Up, Up, and Away! (TV movie)
Jim Marshall / Bronze Eagle
 
1999/II Taxman
Peyton Cody
 
1995-1999 The Parent 'Hood (TV series)
Robert Peterson
– Wedding Bells Blues (1999) … Robert Peterson
– Something About Queenie (1999) … Robert Peterson
– To Kiss or Not to Kiss (1999) … Robert Peterson
– Integrity to Block (1999) … Robert Peterson
– Old Men Can't Jump (1999) … Robert Peterson
See all 90 episodes »
 
1999 Mercenary II: Thick & Thin (TV movie)
Charlie Love
 
1999 Love Songs (TV movie)
Champ (segment "Love Song for Champ, A")
 
1998-1999 Motown Live (TV series)
Host
 
1998 Joseph's Gift
James Saunders
 
1995/II Bliss (TV movie)
Dr. Barry Sullivan
 
1993 The Meteor Man
Jefferson Reed
 
1991 The Carol Burnett Show (TV series)
Skit characters
 
1991 The Five Heartbeats
Duck
 
1990 One Night Stand (TV series)
Bum #3
– Robin Harris (1990) … Bum #3
 
1989 The Mighty Quinn
Maubee
 
1989 That's Adequate
Stand-up Comic
 
1988 I'm Gonna Git You Sucka (uncredited)
 
1987 Hollywood Shuffle
Bobby Taylor / Jasper / Speed / …
 
1987 Amazing Stories (TV series)
Billy Burliss
– The 21-Inch Sun (1987) … Billy Burliss
 
1986 Ratboy
Manny
 
1986 Odd Jobs
Dwight
 
1985 American Flyers
Jerome
 
1984 A Soldier's Story
Corporal Ellis
 
1984 Streets of Fire
Lester - The Sorels
 
1982 M*A*S*H (TV series)
Patient
– Bombshells (1982) … Patient
 
1982 In Love with an Older Woman (TV movie)
James
 
1981 Senior Trip (TV movie)
Randy
 
1980 Willie & Phil
Thin Boy
 
1979 Women at West Point (TV movie)
Russell Baker
 
1979 The Warriors
Baseball Fury (uncredited)
 
1978 Watch Your Mouth (TV series)
 
1976 The Monkey Hu$tle
Musician
 
1975 Mahogany
Extra (uncredited)
 
1975 Cooley High
Basketball Player in Gym Class (uncredited)
 
Show ShowWriter (16 titles)
2014 Playin' for Love (post-production)
 
2009 Musical Theatre of Hope (TV series) (writer)
 
2009 Musical Theater of Hope (TV movie) (written by)
 
2006 The Beginning of B5: The Documentary (documentary) (archive footage)
 
2003 Black Listed (video) (written by)
 
1995-1999 The Parent 'Hood (TV series)
– Wedding Bells Blues (1999) (creator)
– Something About Queenie (1999) (creator)
– To Kiss or Not to Kiss (1999) (creator)
– Integrity to Block (1999) (creator)
– Old Men Can't Jump (1999) (creator)
See all 90 episodes »
 
1993 Townsend Television (TV series)
– Episode #1.10 (1993) (creator / writer)
– Episode #1.9 (1993) (creator / writer)
– Episode #1.8 (1993) (creator / writer)
– Episode #1.7 (1993) (creator / writer)
– Episode #1.6 (1993) (creator / writer)
See all 10 episodes »
 
1993 The Meteor Man (written by)
 
1992 Comic Relief V (TV special)
 
1991 A Party for Richard Pryor (TV special)
 
1991 The Five Heartbeats (written by)
 
1991 The Best of Robert Townsend & His Partners in Crime (TV movie) (writer)
 
1991 A Comedy Salute to Michael Jordan (TV movie)
 
1987 Uptown Comedy Express (TV special)
 
1987 The Late Show (TV series)
– Episode dated 17 April 1987 (1987)
 
1987 Hollywood Shuffle (written by)
 
Show ShowDirector (32 titles)
2014 Playin' for Love (post-production)
 
2012 In the Hive
 
2009-2011 Diary of a Single Mom (TV series)
– Friday (2011)
– Dream Cart (2011)
– In the Meantime (2011)
– Paradox (2010)
– Aplomb (2010)
See all 26 episodes »
 
2009 Musical Theatre of Hope (TV series)
 
2009 Musical Theater of Hope (TV movie)
 
2009 Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy (documentary)
 
2008 Phantom Punch
 
2004-2007 Unfabulous (TV series)
– The Quest (2007)
– The 66th Day (2005)
– The Rep (2004)
– The Pink Guitar (2004)
– The Pal (2004)
See all 6 episodes »
 
2005-2006 South of Nowhere (TV series)
– Love & War and Love & War (2006)
– Under My Skin (2006)
– Friends with Benefits (2005)
– Secret Truths (2005)
 
2006 The Story of Beyoncé (TV documentary) (earlier footage)
 
2006 The Beginning of B5: The Documentary (documentary)
 
2005 Partners in Crime (TV series)
 
2003 Black Listed (video)
 
2002 Soul Food (TV series)
– Tonight at Noon (2002)
 
2002 10,000 Black Men Named George (TV movie)
 
2001 Carmen: A Hip Hopera (TV movie)
 
2000 Livin' for Love: The Natalie Cole Story (TV movie)
 
2000 Holiday Heart (TV movie)
 
2000 Little Richard (TV movie)
 
2000 Up, Up, and Away! (TV movie)
 
1997-1999 The Parent 'Hood (TV series)
– Wedding Bells Blues (1999)
– To Kiss or Not to Kiss (1999)
– Integrity to Block (1999)
– Old Men Can't Jump (1999)
– Mommy Dearest (1999)
See all 9 episodes »
 
1999 Jackie's Back! (TV movie)
 
1999 Love Songs (TV movie) (segment "Love Song for Jean and Ellis, A")
 
1999 The 20th Century: From Behind Closed Doors (TV documentary)
 
1999 Fraternity Boys
 
1997 B*A*P*S
 
1993 Townsend Television (TV series)
 
1993 The Meteor Man
 
1991 The Five Heartbeats
 
1991 The Best of Robert Townsend & His Partners in Crime (TV movie)
 
1987 Eddie Murphy Raw (documentary)
 
1987 Hollywood Shuffle
 
Show ShowSoundtrack (3 titles)
2008 Phantom Punch (lyrics: "If You Want My Love", "The Man That I Love")
 
1991 The Five Heartbeats (performer: "America")
 
1987 Hollywood Shuffle (music: "There's a Bat in My House" Batty Boy's Theme / lyrics: "There's a Bat in My House" Batty Boy's Theme, "Rebels of the Night" / performer: "There's a Bat in My House" Batty Boy's Theme)
 
Show ShowThanks (2 titles)
2012 Laff Mobb Presents (TV series) (special thanks - 2 episodes)
– Mark Viera: Tales of a Nuyorican (2012) (special thanks)
– Roz G: Ain't Got Jokes, Got Problems (2012) (special thanks)
 
1992 Ax 'Em (special thanks)
 
Show ShowSelf (62 titles)
2010-2011 The Mo'Nique Show (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 19 July 2011 (2011) … Himself
– Episode dated 8 February 2010 (2010) … Himself
 
2011 BET Awards 2011 (TV movie)
Himself
 
2011 Way Black When: Primetime (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #1.15 (2011) … Himself
 
2011 Kingdom Come (documentary)
Himself
 
2010 The Brian McKnight Show (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #1.22 (2010) … Himself
 
2010 For Love of Liberty: The Story of America's Black Patriots (TV documentary) (voice)
 
2009 Directors on Directing (documentary)
Robert Townsend
 
2009 11-04-08: The Day of Change (TV movie)
Himself
 
2009 Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy (documentary)
Himself
 
2008 Battleground Earth: Ludacris vs. Tommy Lee (TV series)
Himself
– You've Got Junk Mail (2008) … Himself
 
2007 Tao of the Golden Mask (documentary)
Lead
 
2006 We Don't Die, We Multiply: The Robin Harris Story (video documentary)
Himself
 
2006 An Evening of Stars: Tribute to Stevie Wonder (TV documentary)
Himself
 
2005 The Black Movie Awards (TV movie)
Himself
 
2005 The 20th IFP Independent Spirit Awards (TV special documentary)
Himself - Presenter: Best Cinematography
 
2005 Black in the 80s (TV mini-series documentary)
Himself
 
2003 Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!! (TV documentary)
Himself
 
2002 The Script (short)
Himself
 
2001 Casting for Glinda (video documentary)
Himself
 
2001 An Evening of Stars: A Celebration of Educational Excellence (TV special documentary)
Himself - Co-Host
 
1997-2000 American Masters (TV series documentary)
Director / Himself / Himself - Actor
– Sidney Poitier: One Bright Light (2000) … Himself - Actor/Director
– Vaudeville (1997) … Himself
 
1999 Hollywood Squares (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 31 July 1999 (1999) … Himself
– Episode dated 30 July 1999 (1999) … Himself
– Episode dated 29 July 1999 (1999) … Himself
– Episode dated 28 July 1999 (1999) … Himself
– Episode dated 27 July 1999 (1999) … Himself
 
1999 Jackie's Back! (TV movie)
Himself
 
1998 Celebrity Profile (TV series documentary)
Himself
– Diahann Carroll … Himself
 
1998 The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (TV series)
Himself
– Robert Townsend (1998) … Himself
 
1998 Motown Live (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #1.2 (1998) … Himself
– Episode #1.3 (1998) … Himself
– Episode #1.4 (1998) … Himself
– Episode #1.5 (1998) … Himself
– Episode #1.6 (1998) … Himself
See all 8 episodes »
 
1997 The Chris Rock Show (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #2.1 (1997) … Himself
 
1997 The Rosie O'Donnell Show (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 5 May 1997 (1997) … Himself
 
1997 Late Show with David Letterman (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 19 March 1997 (1997) … Himself
 
1997 28th NAACP Image Awards (TV special)
Himself
 
1996 AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Steven Spielberg (TV special documentary)
Himself
 
1996 Great Drives (TV mini-series documentary)
Host (volume 2: Route 66)
 
1995 HBO Comedy Showcase (TV series)
Himself - Host (1995)
 
1995 Soul Train's 25th Anniversary (TV documentary)
Himself
 
1994 The Second Annual Comedy Hall of Fame (TV special)
Himself
 
1994 Soul Train (TV series documentary)
Himself - Host
– Episode #24.1 (1994) … Himself - Host
 
1994 Apollo Theatre Hall of Fame (TV documentary)
Himself - Host
 
1993 Townsend Television (TV series)
Himself / Various Characters
– Episode #1.10 (1993) … Himself/Various Characters
– Episode #1.9 (1993) … Himself/Various Characters
– Episode #1.8 (1993) … Himself/Various Characters
– Episode #1.7 (1993) … Himself/Various Characters
– Episode #1.6 (1993) … Himself/Various Characters
See all 10 episodes »
 
1987-1992 Ebony/Jet Showcase (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 11 September 1992 (1992) … Himself
– Episode dated 15 February 1991 (1991) … Himself
– Episode dated 25 September 1987 (1987) … Himself
 
1992 Comic Relief V (TV special)
Himself
 
1991 A Party for Richard Pryor (TV special)
Himself
 
1991 Ray Charles: 50 Years in Music (TV special documentary)
Himself
 
1987-1991 The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 12 June 1991 (1991) … Himself
– Episode dated 16 April 1987 (1987) … Himself
 
1991 The Best of Robert Townsend & His Partners in Crime (TV movie)
Himself - Host/Various Characters
 
1991 The Movie Awards (TV documentary)
Himself - Host
 
1991 A Comedy Salute to Michael Jordan (TV movie)
Himself
 
1991 The All New Mickey Mouse Club (TV series)
Himself
– Go Party! (1991) … Himself
 
1990 Motown 30: What's Goin' On! (TV special)
Himself
 
1990 Saturday Night Clive (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #3.7 (1990) … Himself
 
1990 22nd NAACP Image Awards (TV special)
Himself
 
1989 All-Star Tribute to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (TV movie)
Himself
 
1989 New Edition Past and Present (video)
Himself
 
1989 21st NAACP Image Awards (TV special)
Himself
 
1988 Freedomfest: Nelson Mandela's 70th Birthday Celebratation (TV special documentary)
Himself
 
1988 The 2nd Annual American Comedy Awards (TV movie)
Himself - Presenter
 
1988 The Media Show (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #2.2 (1988) … Himself
 
1988 The 9th Annual American Black Achievement Awards (TV special)
Himself
 
1988 20th NAACP Image Awards (TV special)
Himself
 
1987 Cooking with Wolfgang Puck (video)
Himself
 
1987 Uptown Comedy Express (TV special)
Himself
 
1987 The Late Show (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 17 April 1987 (1987) … Himself
 
1986 Rodney Dangerfield: It's Not Easy Bein' Me (TV special)
Himself
 
Show ShowArchive Footage (2 titles)
2006 Edge of Outside (documentary)
Bobby Taylor
 
2004 TV in Black: The First Fifty Years (video documentary)
 

Related Videos

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Personal Details

Other Works:

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

Publicity Listings:

1 Article  | See more »

Official Sites:

Official Site | See more »

Height:

5' 11" (1.80 m)
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Did You Know?

Trivia:

Has known Eddie Murphy since 1978. See more »

Star Sign:

Aquarius