Robert Townsend Biography

Fast Facts

• Speaks to inner city youth on behalf of the United Negro College Fund about following their dreams
• His talents took him to New York to perform at the premiere comedy club, The Improvisation
• Worked as a stand-up comic at New York's The Improvisation as well as Chicago's Second City, the Negro Ensemble Theater, the Experimental Black Actor's Guild and other entertainment groups
• Quote: "(On outreach) "The murder rate in Chicago is so crazy․ As a filmmaker, I feel one of my responsibilities is to do stories that reach millions of people, which will happen when this film hits TV․ I want to send out a message of hope․""
• Served as the Black Family Channel's CEO of Productions
• His life was saved as a child by the act of kindess he had previously shown a gang leader during a playground basketball game
• Wanted to become a professional baseball player before he decided to pursue a career in the entertainment industry