Moved from Fordham section of the Bronx to Peekskill, NY at age 13

Inspired by the success of "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" (1975), decided to make "Driller Killer"

Feature directing debut, "Driller Killer"; also starred, edited and wrote songs under pseudonym Jimmy Laine

Played first rapist (again credited as Jimmy Laine) in second directorial effort "Ms. 45"

Directed two first season episodes of Michael Mann's "Miami Vice" (NBC)

Directed the two-hour pilot for the Michael Mann-produced cop series, "Crime Story" (NBC)

"King of New York", featured at various international festivals (including New York), caught the attention of mainstream critics; first collaboration with Christopher Walken

"Bad Lieutenant" released; repelled by its blasphemous imagery, devout Catholic St. John refused to work on film with long-time partner; first collaboration with Harvey Keitel

Helmed "Body Snatchers", a slick remake of the 1954 classic horror flick

Returned to low-budget viscerality of early work with "The Addiction", filmed in black and white

Honored with a career retrospective during the 22nd annual Rotterdam Film Festival

Directed period gangster piece "The Funeral"

"The Blackout", starring Mathew Modine, debuted at Cannes Film Festival

Contributed 10-minute segment featuring Rosie Perez ("Love on the A Train") to Jonathan Demme-produced HBO anthology film "Subway Stories"

Directed "The New Rose Hotel"; Ferrara co-scripted with Zoe Lund (who also co-scripted "Bad Lieutenant")

Helmed "R-Xmas"