Writer-director Robert Towne passes away at 89

Writer-director Robert Towne died at his Los Angeles home, announced publicist Carri McClure. He was 89. The cause of death is still not revealed. Towne won an Oscar in 1975 for his screenplay for filmmaker Roman Polanski's Chinatown, starring Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway, and John Huston. Chinatown's screenplay is regarded as one of the best-ever scripts, studied by wannabe scenarists expecting to uncover its nuances years after its theatrical release. Recently, Towne was also tapped to write the screenplay for a series that would serve as a prequel to Polanski's classic film.

Towne's other popular works include Shampoo, The Last Detail, and the first two Mission: Impossible films. He also served as a script doctor on Bonnie and Clyde, The Godfather, and Marathon Man.

He made his directorial debut with 1982's Personal Best. He last wrote and directed a film called T.O.R.R. Dawn of the Red. He also appeared as himself in 2018's Hal.