Biography
Robert Townsend (born 6 February 1957) is an American actor, director, comedian and writer. Born in Chicago, Illinois, he attended Austin High School and Illinois State University. He began his career with small roles and stand-up comedy appearances, gaining early film credits including an uncredited part in The Warriors (1979) and roles in Streets of Fire (1984).
Townsend is known for his performance as Corporal Ellis in A Soldier's Story (1984). He later wrote, directed and starred in Hollywood Shuffle (1987) and directed Eddie Murphy Raw (1987) and The Five Heartbeats (1991). On television he created and starred in the sitcom The Parent 'Hood (1995–1999), also directing episodes.
