ROBERT TOWNE

'Robert Burton Towne' (born November 23, 1934) is an American actor, screenwriter and director. He is the author of many notable film scripts, including ''Chinatown'' (1974), for which he received an Oscar, its sequel, ''The Two Jakes'' (1990), and ''Shampoo'' (1975), as well as the first two '' films. He is also noted as an uncredited script doctor who has worked in such a capacity for ''The Godfather'' and other notable movies.
After working for years on a script of '' (1984) he grew dissatisfied with the production and credited his dog, P.H. Vazak, with the script. Vazak became the first dog nominated for an Oscar for screenwriting, but did not win. Towne also directed ''Without Limits'' (1998), a biopic based on the life of iconic athlete Steve Prefontaine, and ''Ask the Dust'' (2006), a romance film set in period Los Angeles based on the novel by Los Angeles author John Fante and starring Colin Farrell and Salma Hayek. Both were produced by Tom Cruise and failed at the box office, though the former did receive favorable reviews from film critics.
His father-in-law was once actor John Payne. His daughter (with actress Julie Payne) is Katharine Towne and he was once the father-in-law of Charlie Hunnam.
He is a graduate of Pomona College in Claremont, CA

Contents

Awards

Trivia

External links

Awards

★ Academy Award

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★ 1974: Nominated, Best Adapted Screenplay, ''The Last Detail''

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★ 1975: Won, Best Original Screenplay, ''Chinatown''

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★ 1976: Nominated, Best Original Screenplay, ''Shampoo''

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★ 1985: Nominated, Best Adapted Screenplay, ''Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan''

★ BAFTA Award

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★ 1975: Won, Best Screenplay, ''The Last Detail'' and ''Chinatown''

★ Golden Globe Award

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★ 1975: Won, Best Screenplay - Motion Picture, ''Chinatown''

★ Edgar Award

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★ 1975: Won, Best Motion Picture Screenplay, ''Chinatown''

Trivia

In an interview with Charlie Rose, Towne stated his two of his favourite screenwriters were Paddy Chayevsky and Robert Bolt.

External links

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