The late legendary director and screenwriter Robert Towne’s second marriage to his wife, Luisa Towne, helped him maintain a sense of balance through the highs and lows of his career.
In 1984, they got married and were blessed with a daughter, Chiara Towne, and as a mother and wife, Luisa contributed to nurturing their home environment.
Luisa’s presence in Robert’s life brought him personal stability as her support allowed Robert to continue working on various projects, given the decline in his career after the 1980s.
Despite being the wife of a Hollywood celebrity, Robert, Luisa Towne maintained a private lifestyle away from the paparazzi and the spotlight. So, not much information about Luisa Towne is available online.
Robert Towne’s first marriage with Julie Payne ended on bad terms!
Robert Towne’s first wife was the American actress Julie Payne, daughter of actors John Payne and Anne Shirley.
They married in 1977, and it was Julie’s second marriage, but the couple divorced in 1982.
In 1978, they had a daughter Katharine Towne, Robert’s first child. In 1988, Katharine started her individual acting career and since then, has appeared in numerous films and TV series.
Sadly, in June 2019, Julie Payne passed away at the age of 78 due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Furthermore, their marriage had ended on bitter terms after he had affairs with both Patrice Donnelly and Mariel Hemingway, who co-starred as track athletes in the first film he directed, Personal Best.
Along with these affairs, their marriage also suffered from the chaotic Hollywood lifestyle of the 1970s. Moreover, the bitter end of this marriage impacted Robert’s career.
His career began a long decline at about the same time, although he never stopped writing. Nevertheless, after two years, he found his love, who provided personal support and helped him navigate his later years more smoothly.
Robert Towne’s first marriage was turbulent, while his second marriage was more stable and supportive.
Additional Information
- Robert Bertram Schwartz, popularly known as Robert Towne, was born on November 23, 1934, in Los Angeles, California.
- On July 1, 2024, at the age of 89, he passed away at his home in Los Angeles.
- He wrote the Academy Award-winning original screenplay for Roman Planski’s Chinatown and its sequel, The Two Jakes.
- He directed the sports dramas Without Limits and Personal Best, as well as the crime thrillers Tequila Sunrise and Ask the Dust.
