Born in Los Angeles, CA; educated at Pomona College, Claremont, CA (literature, philosophy). Graduated from writing low-budget Roger Corman curiosities to become one of Hollywood's most acclaimed scenarists of the mid-1970s, sculpting such compelling works as THE LAST DETAIL (1973), CHINATOWN (1974) and SHAMPOO (1975). Towne made an impressive directorial debut with PERSONAL BEST (1982), a character study of a lesbian athlete, but the slick romantic thriller TEQUILA SUNRISE (1988) fared less successfully with the critics. Other directing credits include WITHOUT LIMITS (1998, also writer), ASK THE DUST (2006, also writer), and THE 39 STEPS (announced for 2009). Other notable screen credits include THE YAKUZA (1975), DAYS OF THUNDER (1990), THE FIRM (1993), LOVE AFFAIR (1994), MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE (1996), MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE II (2000). Towne is also known in the film industry as a "script doctor," having done uncredited work on movies including BONNIE AND CLYDE (1967, credited as "special consultant"), THE GODFATHER (1972), THE PARALLAX VIEW (1974), MARATHON MAN (1976), THE MISSOURI BREAKS (1976), HEAVEN CAN WAIT (1978), and FRANTIC (1988). He used the pseudonym P. H. Vazak (his dog's name) for his contribution to the screenplay of GREYSTOKE: THE LEGEND OF TARZAN, LORD OF THE APES (1984).  Nominated for Writing (Best Screenplay based on material from another medium) 1973: THE LAST DETAIL  Writing (Best Original Screenplay) 1974: CHINATOWN  Nominated for Writing (Best Original Screenplay) 1975: SHAMPOO (w. Warren Beatty)  Nominated for Writing (Best Screenplay based on material from another medium) 1984: GREYSTOKE: THE LEGEND OF TARZAN, LORD OF THE APES (as "P. H. Vasak") (w. Michael Austin) 4 nominations, 1 Award