“Chinatown” screenwriter Robert Towne dies at the age of 89

Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Writers Guild of America, West/2016 Getty Images

Robert Towne, who arguably set a new industry standard with his Oscar-winning screenplay for Roman Polanski’s 1974 film Chinatowndied on Monday in his home in Los Angeles. He was 89 years old. His press secretary Carri McClure confirmed the news to The Hollywood Reporter. He is considered one of the best screenwriters of all time and has written many screenplays throughout his career, including the Oscar-nominated screenplays for The final detail, shampooAnd Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes (Towne, however, was not happy with the production choices on this last project and ultimately chose to be credited by his dog’s name, PH Vazak.)

Towne was born in Los Angeles, California in 1934 and began his career in Hollywood as a screenwriter. Over time, he also developed a reputation as a reliable screenwriter and is known to have worked uncredited on films such as Bonnie and Clyde, The Godfather, The Parallax ViewAnd Heaven Can WaitWhen Francis Ford Coppola won the Oscar for best adapted screenplay for The Godfather, In his acceptance speech, he praised Towne for writing the “beautiful scene between Marlon and Al Pacino in the garden.” Towne later directed several films himself, including Personal Best, Tequila SunriseAnd Ask the dustLater in his career, he returned to television as a consulting producer. Mad Men – and just last month Towne said diversity that he and David Fincher directed all episodes of Netflix’s long-planned Chinatown Prequel series.

In 2000, Towne reflected on his long career in an interview with Creative Screenwriting. When asked why he gets so much praise in the industry, he said it doesn’t make his job any easier. “The only advantage your experience gives you is when you get stuck, ‘Damn, I’ve done this before, I guess I can do it again,'” Towne said. “It’s that stupid belief in the facts of your own story… But it’s just as hard every time.”