Robert Townsend is acknowledged as one of today's most multi-faceted and innovative talents. A complete visionary, actor, producer, writer, director and comedian, he exercises his innate sense for comedy and storytelling to create timeless bodies of work.

Proud of his humble beginnings as an extra in such films as "Cooley High," Robert Townsend utilized this experience to learn and hone his filmmaking skills. Norman Jewison's "A Soldier's Story" provided his first motion picture acting credit. Acting chores in "The Mighty Quinn" and directing Eddie Murphy's "Raw" concert film soon followed.

In 1987, Townsend wrote, directed and starred in "The Hollywood Shuffle," largely financed by credit cards. The semi-autobiographical lampoon of the struggles of African-Americans in the industry received critical and audience acclaim, firmly establishing him as a ground-breaking filmmaker.

In 1991, he again performed writing, directing, and acting duties on the critically acclaimed American Classic, "The Five Heartbeats." This tale of the rise and fall of an African-American singing group during rock 'n' roll's adolescence also spawned a highly successful soundtrack album and 20-city nationwide tour with The Dells.

The versatile filmmaker created the first-ever inner-city fairy tale in MGM's 1993 release, "The Meteor Man." The star, writer, and director brought together an all-star cast, including veterans: James Earl Jones, Bill Cosby, Marla Gibbs, and Robert Guillaume, for this very special children's film.

Robert Townsend spent his hiatus in 1996 directing the New Line release, "B.A.P.S," starring Academy Award winners Halle Berry and Martin Landau. Released in Spring '97, the romantic comedy chronicles two girls from a small town outside of Atlanta who take over Beverly Hills. His 1997 hiatus was spent acting in two independent films.

On the small screen, Robert Townsend received two Cable Ace Awards and multiple N.A.A.C.P. Image Awards for his popular HBO comedy specials, "Robert Townsend and his Partners In Crime." His innovative variety show series, "Townsend Television," broke traditional network television ground, bringing together a rich array of singers, actors, and comedians for ten very unique hours of television for the Fox network.

Always willing to venture into new territory, Robert Townsend created "The Parent 'Hood," which parallels his own life at home, being married with children. "The Parent 'Hood" won numerous awards and is an audience favorite on the WB network. Serving triple duty as Creator, Executive Producer and Actor, the popular family sitcom starred Townsend as a Communications professor and well-intentioned father, who together with his lawyer wife, creatively rear four children in the 90's.

As a workshop, "The Five Heartbeats - The Musical" played locally to sold out audiences in Los Angeles.

Robert Townsend grew up on Chicago's tough West side where, at age 16, he auditioned for a small role with The Experimental Black Actors Guild. He became the group's youngest member, and later studied with the Chicago-based Second City comedy troupe. While attending college in New Jersey, he commuted to New York to study acting with Stella Adler and The Negro Ensemble Company.

He continues to create new avenues for talent – earning acclaim as a quality storyteller who provides entertainment while sending a positive, albeit, subtle, message. A highly sought-after speaker, Robert Townsend shares his motivational message of self empowerment in a challenging industry with national and local organizations, as well as college campuses nationwide from NYU to USC. With a solid foundation built on integrity, Robert Townsend continues to explore new ground with his work.

Robert Townsend may be available for your next special event!

For booking information, click HERE!

Born:
   Feb 6, 1957
      ..in Illinois
         ..in Chicago

Based:
   ..in California
      ..in Los Angeles

Showcase video available.