Biography for
Robert Townsend (I) More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

Mini Biography

Considered one of the most versatile talents in Hollywood today, many regard Robert Townsend a renaissance man. He's an actor, director, producer, comedian and writer with a career that spans a mere 15 years. He has acted in films like A Soldier's Story (1984), directed by Norman Jewison. The Mighty Quinn (1989) with Denzel Washington, and truly broke ground when he wrote, directed, produced, and starred in the classic comedy Hollywood Shuffle (1987) in 1987. Since then, Townsend has danced back and forth -- wearing various caps as actor, director and writer. For the small screen, he created and produced two groundbreaking variety shows -- the Cable Ace award-winning 'Robert Townsend and His Partners in Crime' for HBO and the Fox Television Variety Show "Townsend Television" (1993) and he created and starred in the WB Network's hit sitcom "The Parent 'Hood" (1995).

On the big screen, he has directed Eddie Murphy in Eddie Murphy Raw (1987); Academy Award-winning actress Halle Berry and Academy Award-winning actor - Martin Landau in B*A*P*S (1997); James Earl Jones, Bill Cosby and a cast of thousands in his inner-city fable that he wrote, directed and starred in, The Meteor Man (1993). Other films in which he starred and directed include: The Five Heartbeats (1991), Love Songs (1999) (TV), starring 'Louis Gossett, Jr.' and Andre Braugher; and the Disney family film _Up, Up, and Away! (2000) (TV) _.

Townsend made history at the Image Awards in 2001 by directing three actors nominated in the best actor/actress category in three different films - Leon Robinson, for his role in Little Richard (2000) (TV) which Townsend directed for NBC; Alfre Woodard for her role in the Showtime Movie Holiday Heart (2000) (TV), which also garnered her a Golden Globe nomination; and Natalie Cole for her gripping self portrayal in Livin' for Love: The Natalie Cole Story (2000) (TV), for which she won the covenant Image Award for best actress. Townsend recently helmed two new television films - _Carmen: A Hip Hopera (2001) (TV) _ for MTV Films. Starring 'Beyonce Knowles' in the title role. The other film is called 10,000 Black Men Named George (2002) (TV), a period piece about the Pullman porter strike for Showtime. It stars Charles S. Dutton, Andre Braugher, Brock Peters and Mario Van Peebles.

Spouse

Trivia

Has 2 daughters and 1 son with Cheri.

Graduate of Austin High School in Chicago.

Studies with Milton Katselas at The Beverly Hills Playhouse.

His daughter, Sierra, is best friends with Denzel Washington's daugther, Olivia.

His daughters are named Sierra and Skylar.

His son's name is Isaiah.

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

Has known Eddie Murphy since 1978.

Where Are They Now

(May 2004) Named the CEO & President of Production for The Black Family Channel.

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