Robert Towne
WritingAbout 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.
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of Robert Towne reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 18 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.
Genre Dominance: Documentary
The majority of Robert Towne's filmography leans towards the Documentary genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.
The "Box Office" Signature
With a 22% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Robert Towne remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in You Must Remember This: The Warner Bros. Story, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best Robert Towne Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Robert Towne's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Robert Towne.
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 18 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".