Robert Towne

Robert Towne

Deceased · Born: Nov 23, 1934 · Died: Jul 1, 2024

Personal Details

BornNov 23, 1934 Los Angeles, California, USA
Spouse
  • Luisa Towne

    ( Oct 17, 1984 to Jul 1, 2024 )
  • Julie Payne

    ( Nov 1, 1977 to Dec 31, 1969 )
Parents
  • Helen Dorothy Stein
  • Louis Albert (Schwartz) Towne

Biography

Noted polymath and creative force in the entertainment industry, born in the City of Angels, Los Angeles, California, USA, and nurtured in the picturesque seaport town of San Pedro. Initially, he began to hone his craft as an actor and writer, working under the tutelage of the legendary exploitation director and producer, Roger Corman.

As the 1970s dawned, he emerged as one of the most esteemed and sought-after screenwriters in Hollywood, with a reputation for crafting compelling narratives and characters that captivated audiences. His directorial endeavors, which commenced in 1982, were marked by a mix of success and experimentation.

Throughout his illustrious career, he has been recognized as one of the most skilled and versatile script doctors in the industry, leaving an indelible mark on cinematic history. His contributions to iconic films such as Bonnie and Clyde (1967) and The Godfather (1972) are a testament to his remarkable talent and dedication to his craft.

Career

{"id":51653,"title":"The 50 Worst Movies Ever Made","year":"2004","character":"Agent XK150 (archive footage)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-50-worst-movies-ever-made","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_51653.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_51653.jpg"},"released":1}
2004
The 50 Worst Movies Ever Made
The 50 Worst Movies Ever Made as Agent XK150 (archive footage)
{"id":7208,"title":"Suspect Zero","year":"2004","character":"Professor Dates (uncredited)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/suspect-zero","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/1v8keckno0c0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/1v8keckno0c0.jpg"},"released":1}
Suspect Zero
Suspect Zero as Professor Dates (uncredited)
{"id":6830,"title":"The Pick-up Artist","year":"1987","character":"Stan","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-pick-up-artist","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_6830.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_6830.jpg"},"released":1}
1987
{"id":6042,"title":"Shampoo","year":"1975","character":"Party Guest (uncredited)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/shampoo","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_6042.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_6042.jpg"},"released":1}
1975
Shampoo
Shampoo as Party Guest (uncredited)
{"id":120725,"title":"Drive, He Said","year":"1971","character":"Richard","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/drive-he-said","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_120725.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_120725.jpg"},"released":1}
1971
{"id":64907,"title":"The Zodiac Killer","year":"1971","character":"Man in Bar #3","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-zodiac-killer","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_64907.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_64907.jpg"},"released":1}
The Zodiac Killer
The Zodiac Killer as Man in Bar #3
{"id":66073,"title":"Creature from the Haunted Sea","year":"1961","character":"Sparks Moran \/ Agent XK150 \/ Narrator","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/creature-from-the-haunted-sea","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_66073.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_66073.jpg"},"released":1}
1961
Creature from the Haunted Sea
Creature from the Haunted Sea as Sparks Moran / Agent XK150 / Narrator
{"id":82302,"title":"Last Woman on Earth","year":"1960","character":"Martin Joyce","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/last-woman-on-earth","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_82302.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_82302.jpg"},"released":1}
1960
Last Woman on Earth
Last Woman on Earth as Martin Joyce
{"id":135433,"title":"What She Said: The Art of Pauline Kael","year":"2019","character":null,"permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/what-she-said-the-art-of-pauline-kael","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_135433.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_135433.jpg"},"released":1}
2019
{"id":8709,"title":"Salinger","year":"2013","character":null,"permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/salinger","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_8709.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_8709.jpg"},"released":1}
2013
{"id":103831925,"title":"The Story of Film: An Odyssey","year":2011,"character":null,"permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/the-story-of-film-an-odyssey","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/show_103831925.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/show_103831925.jpg"},"released":1}
2011
{"id":148913,"title":"Revolution! The Making of 'Bonnie and Clyde'","year":"2008","character":null,"permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/revolution-the-making-of-bonnie-and-clyde-2008","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_148913.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_148913.jpg"},"released":1}
2008
{"id":148887,"title":"American Masters","year":"2008","character":null,"permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/american-masters-2008-1","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_148887.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_148887.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":256953,"title":"Budd Boetticher: A Man Can Do That","year":"2005","character":null,"permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/budd-boetticher-a-man-can-do-that","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_256953.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_256953.jpg"},"released":1}
2005
{"id":9471,"title":"A Decade Under the Influence","year":"2003","character":null,"permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/a-decade-under-the-influence","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_9471.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_9471.jpg"},"released":1}
2003
{"id":172736,"title":"A Sad Flower in the Sand","year":"2001","character":null,"permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/a-sad-flower-in-the-sand","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_172736.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_172736.jpg"},"released":1}
2001
{"id":258537,"title":"Rescued from the Closet","year":"2001","character":null,"permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/rescued-from-the-closet","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_258537.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_258537.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":655,"title":"Mission: Impossible II","year":"2000","job":"Screenplay","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/mission-impossible-ii","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/15u7em36ktkg.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/15u7em36ktkg.jpg"},"released":1}
2000
{"id":654,"title":"Mission: Impossible","year":"1996","job":"Screenplay","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/mission-impossible","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/6nu1foasal40.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/6nu1foasal40.jpg"},"released":1}
1996
{"id":4756,"title":"Love Affair","year":"1994","job":"Screenplay","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/love-affair","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_4756.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_4756.jpg"},"released":1}
1994
Love Affair
Love Affair as Screenplay
{"id":3959,"title":"The Firm","year":"1993","job":"Screenplay","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-firm","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/5pi64pe3a7b0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/5pi64pe3a7b0.jpg"},"released":1}
1993
The Firm
The Firm as Screenplay
{"id":5029,"title":"Days of Thunder","year":"1990","job":"Story, Screenplay","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/days-of-thunder","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/79n5gbpqer90.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/79n5gbpqer90.jpg"},"released":1}
1990
Days of Thunder
Days of Thunder as Story, Screenplay
{"id":5089,"title":"The Two Jakes","year":"1990","job":"Characters","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-two-jakes","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_5089.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_5089.jpg"},"released":1}
The Two Jakes
The Two Jakes as Characters
{"id":8376,"title":"8 Million Ways to Die","year":"1986","job":"Writer","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/8-million-ways-to-die","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_8376.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_8376.jpg"},"released":1}
1986
{"id":17548,"title":"Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes","year":"1984","job":"Writer","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/greystoke-the-legend-of-tarzan-lord-of-the-apes","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/55culispv7a0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/55culispv7a0.jpg"},"released":1}
1984
{"id":6042,"title":"Shampoo","year":"1975","job":"Writer","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/shampoo","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_6042.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_6042.jpg"},"released":1}
1975
Shampoo
Shampoo as Writer
{"id":6309,"title":"Chinatown","year":"1974","job":"Writer","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/chinatown","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/7pfeqlaqpd90.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/7pfeqlaqpd90.jpg"},"released":1}
1974
Chinatown
Chinatown as Writer
{"id":32635,"title":"The Yakuza","year":"1974","job":"Screenplay","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-yakuza","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/4mms8s20dpp0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/4mms8s20dpp0.jpg"},"released":1}
The Yakuza
The Yakuza as Screenplay
{"id":22657,"title":"The Last Detail","year":"1973","job":"Screenplay","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-last-detail","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/5fq53v8k3r10.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/5fq53v8k3r10.jpg"},"released":1}
1973
The Last Detail
The Last Detail as Screenplay
{"id":81976,"title":"Villa Rides","year":"1968","job":"Screenplay","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/villa-rides","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/7m9fjqtnkvu0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/7m9fjqtnkvu0.jpg"},"released":1}
1968
Villa Rides
Villa Rides as Screenplay
{"id":26833,"title":"The Tomb of Ligeia","year":"1964","job":"Screenplay","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-tomb-of-ligeia","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/60uket9f86l0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/60uket9f86l0.jpg"},"released":1}
1964
{"id":82302,"title":"Last Woman on Earth","year":"1960","job":"Screenplay","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/last-woman-on-earth","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_82302.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_82302.jpg"},"released":1}
1960
{"id":8613,"title":"Ask the Dust","year":"2006","job":"Director, Screenplay","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/ask-the-dust","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/r058v8punhc0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/r058v8punhc0.jpg"},"released":1}
2006
Ask the Dust
Ask the Dust as Director, Screenplay
{"id":8593,"title":"Without Limits","year":"1998","job":"Director, Writer","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/without-limits","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_8593.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_8593.jpg"},"released":1}
1998
Without Limits
Without Limits as Director, Writer
{"id":6099,"title":"Tequila Sunrise","year":"1988","job":"Director, Screenplay","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/tequila-sunrise","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/90m459q1f3g0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/90m459q1f3g0.jpg"},"released":1}
1988
Tequila Sunrise
Tequila Sunrise as Director, Screenplay
{"id":7581,"title":"Personal Best","year":"1982","job":"Director, Writer","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/personal-best","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_7581.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_7581.jpg"},"released":1}
1982
Personal Best
Personal Best as Director, Writer