Robert Townsend

Robert Townsend

Filmography

As Cast

AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Eddie Murphy (2026)
as Self
Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man! (2026)
as Self - Comedian & Filmmaker
Before (2024)
as Jackson
The Bear (2022)
as Emmanuel Adamu
A Walk with Charles Burnett (2019)
as Self
Black Lightning (2018)
as Dr. Napier Frank
Playin' for Love (2015)
as Coach Banks
Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire (2012)
as Vampire Actor #1 (voice)
Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy (2009)
as Self
Directors on Directing (2009)
as Self
Of Boys and Men (2008)
as Holden Cole
Tao of The Golden Mask (2007)
Black in the 80s (2005)
as Self
Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!! (2003)
as Self
Black Listed (2003)
as Alan Chambers
I Was a Teenage Faust (2002)
as Mr. Five
Undercover Brother (2002)
as Mr. UB
Book of Love: The Definitive Reason Why Men Are Dogs (2002)
Up, Up, and Away (2000)
as Jim Marshall / Bronze Eagle
Sidney Poitier: One Bright Light (2000)
Taxman (1999)
as Peyton Cody
Mercenary II: Thick & Thin (1999)
as Charlie Love
Joseph's Gift (1999)
as James Saunders
Love Songs (1999)
as Champ
Jackie's Back! (1999)
as Robert Townsend
Hollywood Squares (1998)
as Self - Panelist
Motown Live (1998)
as Self - Host
Stuart Hall: Representation & the Media (1997)
as Archive Footage (Hollywood Shuffle)
Great Drives (1996)
as Self - Host
The Parent 'Hood (1995)
as Robert Peterson
Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child (1995)
as Rumpelstiltskin (voice)
The Legend of Dolemite! Bigger & Badder (1994)
as Self
The Meteor Man (1993)
as Jefferson Reed
The Five Heartbeats (1991)
as Duck
The Carol Burnett Show (1991)
Robin Harris: One Night Stand (1990)
as Bum #3
The Mighty Quinn (1989)
as Maubee
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 4 (1989)
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 3 (1989)
That's Adequate (1989)
as Standup Comic
I'm Gonna Git You Sucka (1988)
as Minor Role (uncredited)
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 2 (1988)
Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute (1988)
as Self
Hollywood Shuffle (1987)
as Bobby Taylor
Uptown Comedy Express (1987)
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 1 (1987)
Odd Jobs (1986)
as Dwight
Ratboy (1986)
as Manny
Rodney Dangerfield: It's Not Easy Bein' Me (1986)
as Self
American Flyers (1985)
as Jerome
Amazing Stories (1985)
as Billy Burliss
A Soldier's Story (1984)
as Corporal Ellis
Streets of Fire (1984)
as The Sorels - Lester
In Love with an Older Woman (1982)
as James
Senior Trip (1981)
as Randy
Willie & Phil (1980)
as Thin Boy
The Warriors (1979)
as Baseball Fury (uncredited)
Women at West Point (1979)
as Russell Baker
The Monkey Hustle (1976)
as Musician
Cooley High (1975)
as Basketball Player in Gym Class
Mahogany (1975)
as Extra (uncredited)
M*A*S*H (1972)
as Patient

As Crew

Poppa's House (2024)
Director
Kaleidoscope (2023)
Director
Ms. Pat: Y'all Wanna Hear Something Crazy? (2022)
Director
Power Book IV: Force (2022)
Director
Colin in Black and White (2021)
Director
The Wonder Years (2021)
Director
A Walk with Charles Burnett (2019)
Director
Making The Five Heartbeats (2018)
Director, Producer
Black Lightning (2018)
Director
Love Is___ (2018)
Director
Playin' for Love (2015)
Director, Writer, Producer
Bill Cosby: Far From Finished (2013)
Director, Thanks
In the Hive (2012)
Director
Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy (2009)
Director
Diary of a Single Mom (2009)
Director
Phantom Punch (2008)
Director
Of Boys and Men (2008)
Producer
South of Nowhere (2005)
Director
Black Listed (2003)
Director
10,000 Black Men Named George (2002)
Director
Carmen: A Hip Hopera (2001)
Director
Little Richard (2000)
Director
Up, Up, and Away (2000)
Director
Livin' for Love: The Natalie Cole Story (2000)
Director
Holiday Heart (2000)
Director
From Behind Closed Doors (1999)
Director
Jackie's Back! (1999)
Director
Love Songs (1999)
Director
B.A.P.S (1997)
Director
The Parent 'Hood (1995)
Director, Producer, Creator
The Meteor Man (1993)
Screenplay, Producer, Director
The Five Heartbeats (1991)
Director, Writer, Producer
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 3 (1989)
Executive Producer, Director, Writer
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 4 (1989)
Executive Producer, Director, Writer
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 2 (1988)
Director, Writer
Hollywood Shuffle (1987)
Director, Writer, Producer
Eddie Murphy Raw (1987)
Director
Uptown Comedy Express (1987)
Writer
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 1 (1987)
Writer, Director
Rodney Dangerfield: It's Not Easy Bein' Me (1986)
Writer
Townsend Television
Creator