Robert Towne - Actor Profile

Robert Towne

Writing
Updated: Apr 12, 2026
20Total Films
8.5 Highest Rated
Born: Nov 23, 1934
Birth Place: San Pedro, Los Angeles, California, USA

About Robert Towne

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). Description above from the Wikipedia article Robert Towne, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Robert Towne Movies & Career Overview

The filmography of Robert Towne reflects a career marked by diverse experimentation. Across 20 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.

Dominant Genre

A large portion of Robert Towne's work falls within the Documentary genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.

Success Ratio

Approximately 20% of Robert Towne's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.

One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains You Must Remember This: The Warner Bros. Story, which stands out as a key performance.

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Best Robert Towne Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Robert Towne's career based on audience ratings.

Full Filmography

Every movie Robert Towne has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.

Robert Towne - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Robert Towne?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Robert Towne is "You Must Remember This: The Warner Bros. Story" with a rating of 8.5/10.

How many movies has Robert Towne acted in?

Robert Towne has been featured in at least 20 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Robert Towne?

Other notable films include "A Decade Under the Influence", "Budd Boetticher: A Man Can Do That", and "What She Said: The Art of Pauline Kael".

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