Robert Towne, the Oscar-winning screenwriter known for his work on “Chinatown,” “Shampoo,” and “The Last Detail,” has died at the age of 89. Towne passed away peacefully at his Los Angeles home, surrounded by family, as confirmed by his publicist Carri McClure. The cause of death was not disclosed. Towne’s career, marked by a distinctive vision of Los Angeles, left a lasting impact on the film industry and defined an era of cinematic artistry.
Towne’s rise to fame was aided by his friendships with major stars of the 1960s and ’70s, including Warren Beatty and Jack Nicholson. His acclaimed screenplays brought a unique, personal perspective to the screen, earning him an Academy Award for “Chinatown” and nominations for “The Last Detail,” “Shampoo,” and “Greystoke.” His portrayal of Los Angeles as a city of shattered dreams and underlying menace has become a model for the art of screenwriting.
Despite a decline in his career after the mid-1970s, Towne continued to influence Hollywood, working on notable projects like “The Firm” and “Mission: Impossible.” His last film, “Ask the Dust,” was released in 2006. Towne’s legacy endures through his contributions to film noir and his memorable depiction of Los Angeles, leaving an indelible mark on cinema history.
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