Served in US Army in WWII

Wrote plays while attending college

Began writing for TV in early 1950s

First movie screenplay, "Judgement at Nuremberg"; won Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay

Adapted teleplay "A Child Is Waiting" for film directed by John Cassavetes

Penned the screenplay for the film adaptation of "Ship of Fools"

Wrote the script for the Frank Sinatra vehicle "The Detective"

Created character of Kojak in the acclaimed CBS TV-movie "The Marcus-Nelson Murders" and subsequent spin-off series; won Emmy for the former

Served as executive producer and writer on the pilot for the short-lived NBC anthology series "Medical Story"

Returned to feature films to pen screenplay for "Report to the Commissioner"

Directorial debut, "King" and NBC biographical miniseries about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr; also wrote teleplay

Executive produced (also wrote) the NBC TV-movie "Skag" starring Karl Malden

Scripted (also executive produced) the CBS drama "The Atlanta Child Murders"

Made one-shot return to feature writing on "War and Love"

Co-wrote and executive produced the HBO biographical drama "Murderers Among Us: The Simon Wiesenthal Story"; garnered second Emmy Award

Penned the HBO teleplay (also executive produced) "Teamster Boss: The Jackie Presser Story"

Penned the biographical miniseries "Sinatra" (CBS)

Served as executive producer and screenwriter for the Emmy-winning "Indictment: The McMartin Trial" (HBO)

National Actors Theater revived stage play "Judgment at Nuremberg"

Produced (also wrote) "Whitewash: The Clarence Brandley Story"