Updated Feb 20, 2026
Details
Known For
Writer
Occupations
Actor, Film director, Screenwriter
Birthday
(Friday)
Died
Nationality
Citizenship
United States
Languages
English
Spouse
Julie Payne (1977-1982)
Education
Chadwick School, Pomona College
Zodiac Sign
♐ Sagittarius
Chinese Zodiac
狗 Dog
Name Origin
English < Proto-Germanic (*Hrōþiberhtaz)
Popularity
Tier C -- 15,673 Wikipedia views/month
DROPTHE_ GOSSIP
Robert Towne is known for writing.
Born in San Pedro, Los Angeles, California, USA (died at age 89).
2 awards including Academy Award for Best Writing, Original Screenplay.
Robert Towne has 28 credits in our database.
Studied at Array.
DROPTHE GOOD_
15
Notable
out of 100
Most people on Earth score 0. Only those with measurable positive impact appear on this scale.
Human Impact
0
Innovation
0
Giving
0
Sustainability
100
Cultural Uplift
45
Public Vote
★
★
★
★
★
Be the first to vote
Filmography (28)
AWARDS (3)
S
Edgar Awards
1975
WON
G
Academy Award for Best Writing, Original Screenplay
1975
WON
G
Academy Awards
Academy Award for Best Writing, Original Screenplay
1975
WON
Biography
Robert Towne (born Robert Bertram Schwartz; November 23, 1934 - July 1, 2024) was an American screenwriter, producer, director and actor. He was part of the New Hollywood wave of filmmaking. He is best known for his Academy Award-winning original screenplay for Roman Polanski's Chinatown (1974), which is widely considered one of the greatest screenplays ever written. He later said it was inspired by a chapter in Carey McWilliams's Southern California Country: An Island on the Land (1946) and a West magazine article on Raymond Chandler's Los Angeles. Towne also wrote the sequel, The Two Jakes (1990); the Hal Ashby comedy-dramas The Last Detail (1973) and Shampoo (1975); and the first two Mission: Impossible films.
Towne directed the sports dramas Personal Best (1982) and Without Limits (1998), the crime thriller Tequila Sunrise (1988), and the romantic crime drama Ask the Dust (2006).
Connections (1)
Related People
Frequently Asked Questions
How old was Robert Towne?
Robert Towne was born on and passed away on at the age of 89.
Where was Robert Towne born?
Robert Towne was born in San Pedro, Los Angeles, California, USA.
What movies or shows has Robert Towne been in?
Robert Towne has 28 credits in our database. Notable titles include The Story of Film: An Odyssey (2011), Suspect Zero (2004), A Decade Under the Influence (2003), Without Limits (1998), Mission: Impossible (1996).
What is Robert Towne known for?
Robert Towne is primarily known as a writer. Robert Towne (born Robert Bertram Schwartz; November 23, 1934 - July 1, 2024) was an American screenwriter, producer, director and actor. He was part of…
Where can I find more information about Robert Towne?
You can find more about Robert Towne on IMDB, TMDB, Wikidata. Their full profile and filmography is available on this page.
