Robert Towne, the iconic screenwriter behind the Oscar-winning film Chinatown, passed away on July 1 at the age of 89. His remarkable career spanned decades, leaving an indelible mark on the film industry. Towne's work on Chinatown set a new standard for screenwriting, and his influence can still be felt today. He also made significant contributions to other notable films, including The Last Detail, Shampoo, and Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes. Interestingly, Towne did uncredited work on several classic films, such as Bonnie and Clyde, The Godfather, and Heaven Can Wait. Francis Ford Coppola even acknowledged Towne's contribution to The Godfather in his Oscar acceptance speech.
Towne's talents extended beyond screenwriting, as he directed several films, including Personal Best, Tequila Sunrise, and Ask the Dust. Later in his career, he returned to television as a consulting producer on Mad Men. In a recent interview with Variety, Towne revealed that he and David Fincher had completed writing the Netflix series based on Chinatown, a testament to his enduring creativity and passion for storytelling. Robert Towne's legacy will continue to inspire generations of writers and filmmakers, cementing his place as one of the greatest screenwriters of all time.