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Robert Townsend

Robert Townsend

Actor, director, writer and producer · Born February 6, 1957 (69) · Chicago, Illinois, USA

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. He is especially known for his eponymous self-titled character, Robert Peterson as the starring role as on The WB sitcom The Parent 'Hood (1995–1999), a series which he created and of which directed select episodes. Townsend is also known for his role as Donald "Duck" Matthews in his 1991 film The Five Heartbeats. He later wrote, directed and produced Making The Five Heartbeats (2018), a documentary film about the production process and behind the scenes insight into creating the film. Townsend is also known for his production company Townsend Entertainment which has produced films Playin' for Love, In the Hive and more. During the 1980s and early–1990s, Townsend gained national exposure through his stand-up comedy routines and appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. Townsend has worked with talent including Halle Berry, Morgan Freeman, Chris Tucker, Beyoncé, Denzel Washington and many more.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
February 6, 1957 (69)
From
Chicago, Illinois, USA
Works as
Actor, director, writer and producer
Titles
51 on MovieCove · 75 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Official site (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Down 28% in 30 days

What are Robert Townsend's films like?

Across their 31 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Drama9 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 62nd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy7 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 37th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Documentary4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 86th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Documentary movies
Action3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 26th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Biography2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 50th percentile
: browse their Biography movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
25%
Self
25%
Society
18%
Morality
14%
Power
7%
Ideas
6%
Survival
5%
Family bonds9 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity8 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth6 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice4 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity5 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love4 titles, browse their movies with this themeFame4 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 27 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 13 · Serious 11 · Dark 3

Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 17 · Stylized 8 · Heightened 2

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 8 · Charged 16 · Intense 3

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 13 · Shifting 13 · Whiplash 1

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 7 · Some laughs 10 · Funny 10

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 11 · Even-paced 14 · Relentless 2

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 16 · Engaged 11 · Full focus 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 25 · Open-ended 2 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

10 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 6 of 10 analyzed roles.

Hero
6 of 10
Shadow
2 of 10
Ally
1 of 10
Threshold guardian
1 of 10
Show the 10 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Hopeful
12
Joyful
12
Warm
13
Tense
10
Absurd
9
Other
25

How their films linger

Hopeful15 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good12 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteWistful5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy16
  • Bittersweet10
  • Tragic2
  • Ambiguous1
  • Cyclical2

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Robert Townsend's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 32 of their 51 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (15).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Robert Townsend's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

75 credits, 51 with a MovieCove page; 10 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Before(2024)

    Show 2 episodes · as Jackson

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all shows

  • Poppa's House(2024)

    Show 5 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all shows

  • Kaleidoscope(2023)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all shows

  • The Bear(2022)

    Show 12 episodes · as Emmanuel Adamu

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Ms. Pat: Y'all Wanna Hear Something Crazy?(2022)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Power Book IV: Force(2022)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Colin in Black & White(2021)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all shows

  • The Wonder Years(2021)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all shows

  • A Walk with Charles Burnett (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Director · as Self

  • Making the Five Heartbeats(2018)

    Director · Producer · Writer

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Love Is___ (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Black Lightning(2018)

    Show 3 episodes · Director · as Dr. Napier Frank

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all shows

  • Playin' for Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Director · Producer · Writer · as Coach Banks

  • Bill Cosby: Far from Finished(2013)

    Director · Thanks

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • In the Hive (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Director

  • Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire(2012)

    as Vampire Actor #1 (voice)

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • Diary of a Single Mom (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Director

  • Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy(2009)

    Director · Producer · as Self

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Of Boys and Men(2008)

    Producer · as Holden Cole

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Phantom Punch(2008)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Tao of The Golden Mask (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Actor

  • South of Nowhere(2005)

    Show 5 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all shows

  • Black Listed (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Director · as Alan Chambers

  • I Was a Teenage Faust(2002)

    as Mr. Five

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all films

  • Undercover Brother(2002)

    as Mr. UB

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • 10,000 Black Men Named George(2002)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • Book of Love: The Definitive Reason Why Men Are Dogs(2002)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Carmen: A Hip Hopera(2001)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all films

  • Holiday Heart(2000)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • Livin' for Love: The Natalie Cole Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Director

  • Little Richard(2000)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Sidney Poitier: One Bright Light (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Actor

  • Up, Up, and Away!(2000)

    Director · as Jim Marshall / Bronze Eagle

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Taxman(1998)

    as Peyton Cody

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Mercenary II: Thick & Thin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Charlie Love

  • From Behind Closed Doors (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Director

  • Jackie's Back!(1999)

    Director · as Robert Townsend

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • Love Songs(1999)

    Director · as Champ

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • Joseph's Gift(1999)

    as James Saunders

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • B*A*P*S(1997)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Representation and the Media(1997)

    as Archive Footage (Hollywood Shuffle)

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as Rumpelstiltskin (voice)

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all shows

  • The Parent 'Hood(1995)

    Show 90 episodes · Director · Creator · Producer · as Robert Peterson

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all shows

  • The Meteor Man(1993)

    Director · Producer · Screenplay · as Jefferson Reed

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • The Carol Burnett Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Show 9 episodes · Actor

  • The Five Heartbeats(1991)

    Director · Producer · Writer · as Duck

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • Robin Harris: One Night Stand (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Bum #3

  • Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 4 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Director · Executive Producer · Writer · Actor

  • Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 3 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Director · Executive Producer · Writer · Actor

  • The Mighty Quinn(1989)

    as Maubee

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all films

  • That's Adequate (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Standup Comic

  • One Night Stand(1989)

    Show as Bum #3

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all shows

  • I'm Gonna Git You Sucka(1988)

    as Minor Role (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 2 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Director · Writer · Actor

  • Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 1 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Director · Writer · Actor

  • Eddie Murphy: Raw(1987)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • Uptown Comedy Express (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Writer · Actor

  • Hollywood Shuffle(1987)

    Director · Producer · Writer · as Bobby Taylor

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Ratboy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Manny

  • Rodney Dangerfield: It's Not Easy Bein' Me (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Writer · as Self

  • Odd Jobs(1986)

    as Dwight

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Amazing Stories(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as Billy Burliss

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

  • American Flyers(1985)

    as Jerome

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • A Soldier's Story(1984)

    as Corporal Ellis

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Streets of Fire(1984)

    as The Sorels - Lester

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • In Love with an Older Woman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as James

  • Senior Trip (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as Randy

  • Willie & Phil(1980)

    as Thin Boy

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • Women at West Point(1979)

    as Russell Baker

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • The Warriors(1979)

    as Baseball Fury (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • The Monkey Hu$tle(1976)

    as Musician

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Mahogany(1975)

    as Extra (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Cooley High(1975)

    as Basketball Player in Gym Class

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • M*A*S*H(1972)

    Show 1 episode · as Patient

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • Townsend Television (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Show Creator

Career shape

Star power in the 96th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 74 titles, 73 of them dated from 1972 to 2024; peak year 1992.

Biggest box office

Eddie Murphy: Raw (1987)

$51M worldwide

Highest rated

The Five Heartbeats (1991)

Midcredits 93rd

Most popular right now

The Parent 'Hood (1995)

Film career

19722024

Peak 1992 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 3 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting49 of 74: 33 only acting, 16 with another role · typical Midcredits score59thDirecting37 of 74: 21 only directing, 16 with another role · typical Midcredits score61stWriting10 of 74: 1 only writing, 9 with another roleProducing9 of 74: 0 only producing, 9 with another role · typical Midcredits score75thOther crew3 of 74: 1 only other crew, 2 with another role

74 titles, 18 with more than one role — acting and directing overlap on 14 of them.

By decade

1970s6 · acting1980s20 · 18 acting · 8 crew1990s14 · 12 acting · 7 crew2000s17 · 8 acting · 12 crew2010s8 · 3 acting · 7 crew2020s8 · 2 acting · 6 crew

Billing

usually 7th · top billed in 33% of 12 roles
7590

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Robert Townsend's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 61st percentile, the median of all 37; across their 27 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 62nd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

62ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 27

Approval · how many liked their films

52ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 27

Reach · how many have seen their films

44thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 27

Midcredits score across 51 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up14
  • 50th to 74th16
  • 25th to 49th16
  • Below 25th5

Shape of the crowd

22 of their 51 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved7
  • Divisive5
  • Cult Classic6
  • Crowd Pleaser9
  • Broadly Agreed2
  • Mixed22

Most divisive · director

Colin in Black & White (2021)

96th percentile spread · 33% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

The Bear (2022)

Midcredits 96th · 92% liked

Reviewers score the acting 68/100 in their films, across 23 reviewed titles; fans 78, detractors 42. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Who does Robert Townsend work with?

People who share at least 2 of Robert Townsend's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Stephen James Taylor shares the most, 6.

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles