Robert Towne, the Oscar-winning author of Chinatown has died, aged 89.
The author handed away at residence on Monday (July 1) amongst household and pals, his publicist mentioned. A reason behind dying was not disclosed.
Chinatown, starring Jack Nicholson, remains to be thought-about to be one of many best screenplays of all time and earned an Oscar for Towne in 1975.
He had an illustrious writing profession in Hollywood and likewise earned Academy Award nominations for his movies Shampoo, The Final Element and Greystoke. In 1997, he was given a lifetime achievement award from the Writers Guild of America.
Towne’s success within the movie business got here after his early work writing on tv exhibits together with The Man From UNCLE and The Lloyd Bridges Present.
Towne received his large break after an opportunity assembly with Warren Beatty through Towne’s psychiatrist. As Beatty labored on the script for Bonnie And Clyde, he introduced in Towne who labored on script revisions for the movie.
His work on the movie was uncredited and likewise ghost wrote on a number of initiatives. He additionally contributed to The Godfather and Heaven Can Wait.
Chinatown was thought-about his masterpiece and remains to be taught in script writing lessons for example of an excellent screenplay.
He laster mentioned the script was partly impressed by a e book revealed in 1946, Carey McWilliams’ Southern California: An Island on the Land.
He instructed The Hollywood Reporter in 2009: “In it was a chapter referred to as ‘Water, Water, Water’, which was a revelation to me. And I believed: ‘Why not do an image a couple of crime that’s proper out in entrance of all people.’”
Towne additionally ventured into directing, engaged on Private Greatest and Tequila Sunrise. He later additionally penned The Two Jakes, a sequel to Chinatown.
He later wrote on Days of Thunder starring Tom Cruise and reunited with Cruise once more on The Agency and the primary two Mission: Not possible films.
His final movie was Ask the Mud, a movie he wrote and directed that got here out in 2006.
You may see a number of the many tributes to Towne right here:
“Should you’ve ever been on a movie that did not fairly work out, you know the way a lot you owe to the individuals on a movie that did.”
Robert Towne accepting the Oscar for Greatest Unique Screenplay (CHINATOWN) on the forty seventh Academy Awards. pic.twitter.com/58SxavHAbF
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) July 3, 2024
It is a nice second from the Chinatown commentary whereby David Fincher geeks out along with his fan theories on the movie’s visible motifs and Robert Towne provides him his reply.
Robert Towne was one of many best screenwriters the medium has ever identified. pic.twitter.com/5EFntKLJAV
— Will McCrabb (@mccrabb_will) July 3, 2024
R.I.P. the grasp Robert Towne pic.twitter.com/bgbFfYe3E0
— Larry Karaszewski (@Karaszewski) July 3, 2024
Screenwriter Robert Towne lifeless at 89. Many nice ’70s films have his fingerprints. Together with Shampoo, Chinatown, The Final Element & extra. Then there’s the likes of Private Greatest, Greystoke, Tequila Dawn, The Agency, Days Of Thunder & even a pair of Mission: Not possible movies. Wow pic.twitter.com/EuYtqk1Zxx
— Films In Focus (@moviesinfocus) July 3, 2024
Farewell to the legendary Robert Towne. From writing masterpieces like CHINATOWN, SHAMPOO & numerous others, his affect is eternal. Honored with an AFI honorary diploma in 2014 for his contribution to the artwork kind, his legacy will proceed to encourage filmmakers in all places. pic.twitter.com/VO9Bsomk30
— AFI (@AmericanFilm) July 2, 2024
