Oscar-Winning ‘Chinatown’ Screenwriter Robert Towne Dies at 89

Robert Towne, an Oscar-winning screenwriter best known for his work on the iconic movie “Chinatown,” has died at the age of 89. Towne passed away at his Los Angeles residence; his publicist, Carrie McClure, corroborated the information. His death’s reason has not been made public.

Towne’s remarkable career started in the 1960s when he performed and wrote screenplays for B-movie director Roger Corman. He soon rose to prominence as one of Hollywood’s most sought-after script doctors, renowned for his ability to fix structural issues and heighten the emotional impact of movies. Among his well-known pieces are “The Last Detail,” “Chinatown,” and “Shampoo,” all of which have received positive reviews and have done well financially. His “Chinatown” won him the Best Original Screenplay Academy Award.

Towne was frequently hired to assist on several films without receiving credit, in addition to his creditable contributions. He rearranged important scenes to increase their emotional impact in films like “Bonnie and Clyde,” which he made a substantial contribution to. Arthur Penn, the director, commended Towne’s work on the movie, emphasizing how it enabled the performers to give stronger performances.

Towne’s impact could be seen in other classic 1970s movies. He was a script doctor on “Marathon Man,” “The Parallax View,” “The Missouri Breaks,” and “Heaven Can Wait.” Even though he didn’t always receive official recognition for his work, his contributions were frequently crucial.

Director Francis Ford Coppola of “The Godfather” gave Towne a unique public recognition in 1973 when, during his Oscar acceptance speech, he complimented him for penning a pivotal scene starring Marlon Brando and Al Pacino that was not included in Mario Puzo’s original novel.

Towne’s extraordinary talent won him multiple awards during his career, including a Writers Guild of America Award, a BAFTA, and a Golden Globe. In 1997, the Writers Guild of America presented him with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

In his early work, Towne wrote scripts for television shows such “The Lloyd Bridges Show,” “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.”, and “The Outer Limits.” Later on, he worked with filmmakers such as Roger Corman on “The Tomb of Ligeia” and Sam Peckinpah on “Villa Rides.”

Robert Towne’s skill at creating enduring characters and gripping narratives will live on in his legacy as a legendary screenwriter and key player in Hollywood’s golden age. Future writers and filmmakers will be greatly inspired by his lasting contributions to the film business.

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