Robert Towne stands as one of the most influential figures in American cinema — a gifted screenwriter, director, producer, and occasional actor whose work helped define modern Hollywood storytelling. Best known for masterpieces like Chinatown and other major films, Towne’s career spanned more than half a century and earned him respect, accolades, and a lasting legacy.
Who Was Robert Towne? Early Life and Identity
Born Robert Bertram Schwartz on November 23, 1934, in Los Angeles, California, Towne was the son of Helen and Lou Schwartz. His father initially owned a women’s clothing store before transitioning into real estate development, and it was during this period that the family legally changed their surname to Towne.
Robert grew up in Southern California’s San Pedro and the Palos Verdes areas, where he attended Chadwick School before moving on to Pomona College in Claremont, California. At Pomona, he studied philosophy and literature, foundations that would later shape his thoughtful and richly layered storytelling. After college, he served in the U.S. Army and took on various jobs — from working as a tuna fisherman to selling real estate — before embarking on his film career.
From these humble beginnings, Towne’s intelligence, talent, and drive helped him rise through the ranks of Hollywood’s creative world — from television and low-budget films to blockbuster screenwriter and acclaimed cinema auteur.
Career Breakthrough: Writing for Hollywood
Towne entered the film industry in the early 1960s, writing for television and collaborating with filmmaker Roger Corman, known for producing low-budget genre films. His early credits included writing The Last Woman on Earth (1960) and The Tomb of Ligeia (1964), where he honed his craft and developed his reputation as a sharp and versatile writer.
But Towne’s real breakthrough came in the 1970s during the “New Hollywood” era — a period marked by innovative, director-driven films. His screenplay for The Last Detail (1973) earned critical praise, but it was his work on Chinatown (1974) that vaulted him into the echelons of cinematic immortality.
Chinatown, directed by Roman Polanski and starring Jack Nicholson, is widely considered one of the greatest screenplays ever written. Towne won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for the film — a pinnacle achievement in his career.
In addition to Chinatown, Towne wrote acclaimed scripts such as Shampoo (1975) and contributed to notable projects like Bonnie and Clyde and The Godfather in uncredited capacities, enhancing scripts behind the scenes. He later wrote for blockbusters like Days of Thunder, The Firm, and the first two Mission: Impossible films.
Personal Life: Family, Marriages, and Children
Robert Towne’s personal relationships were as complex and layered as his film characters. He married twice and had two daughters.
Marriage to Julie Payne
Towne’s first marriage was to actress Julie Payne in 1977. This marriage lasted until 1982 and produced one daughter:
- Katharine Towne (born 1978) — who later pursued acting and appeared in films like Mulholland Drive.
Their relationship was marked by personal struggles, including tensions related to lifestyle and career pressures, which eventually contributed to their divorce. Despite this, both Towne and Payne remained significant figures in their daughter’s early life.
Marriage to Luisa Gaule
In 1984, Robert Towne married Luisa Gaule, with whom he shared a long and stable marriage until his death. The couple had one daughter:
- Chiara Towne — who has developed interests in artistic expression such as directing and writing, following in her father’s creative footsteps.
Throughout his life, Towne was known to be a private family man who kept his personal life largely out of public scrutiny. Both of his marriages were significant chapters in his life and contributed to his rich and layered personal history.
Family Roots: Parents, Background, and Siblings
Robert Towne was deeply influenced by his family’s heritage and background. His parents were of Jewish descent — his father’s family emigrated from Romania and his mother’s from Russia before settling in California. This heritage added to his cultural richness and informed some of the thematic depths in his writing.
He had one sibling:
- Roger Towne — his younger brother, also a screenwriter who co-wrote the screenplay for The Natural (1984).
This shared creative path between siblings illustrates an artistic thread running through the Towne family. Additionally, Robert’s extended family included his niece, Jocelyn Towne, who has worked in the entertainment industry.
Net Worth and Professional Success
Robert Towne’s extraordinary career in Hollywood also brought financial recognition. Estimates suggest he had a net worth of around $20 million at the time of his death. This wealth was accrued through his screenwriting, directing, producing credits, and occasional consulting roles.
His success was not just financial; Towne accumulated respect and influence that few screenwriters ever achieve. His scripts are studied in film schools, his dialogue remains iconic, and his storytelling continues to influence contemporary writers and filmmakers.
Death and Legacy
Robert Towne passed away on July 1, 2024, at his home in Los Angeles at the age of 89. His death marked the end of an era for classic Hollywood screenwriting, but his impact on cinema remains deeply entrenched.
Towne’s legacy extends beyond awards and accolades — it lives in the countless films and screenplays that followed his example. Chinatown remains a benchmark for quality and depth in film writing, and his varied career continues to inspire new generations of storytellers.
Conclusion
Robert Towne’s life was one of significant artistic achievement, resilient creativity, and deep personal complexity. From his early days in Los Angeles as Robert Schwartz to becoming one of Hollywood’s most revered screenwriters, his journey illustrates how talent, risk-taking, and devotion to craft can shape an enduring legacy. Towne’s personal story — from family beginnings and marriages to his professional accolades — is a testament to a remarkable life fully lived in service to cinema.
Article by angliatimes
