After being expelled from school, worked as a commercial sailor

Became a popular disc jockey in Mexico City

Directed "Babel," starring Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett

Set up Zeta Films, a society for producing advertising and short films as well as television programs

Made numerous music videos and commercials

Helmed first half-length feature, "Detrás del dinero," featuring Spanish actor/singer Miguel Bosé

Feature film debut as director, "Amores Perros/Love's a Bitch," a gritty look at the underbelly of Mexican life; also co-wrote with Guillermo Arriaga; nominated for Best Foreign Language Film Academy Award

Helmed "Powder Keg", one of five short film advertisements for BMW shown over the Internet at bmwfilms.com

Made U.S. feature debut, directing the death-minded drama "21 Grams" starring Sean Penn, Naomi Watts and Benicio del Toro; written by Guillermo Arriaga

Helmed the ensemble feature, "Babel," which consists of four stories set in Morocco, Tunisia, Mexico and Japan and stars Gael García Bernal, Cate Blanchett and Brad Pitt; earned a Golden Globe and Directors Guild of America nomination for Best Director; also received Oscar nominations for Best Director and Best Picture

Formed an independent production co. with fellow Mexican filmmakers, Guillermo del Toro and Alfonso Cuaron

Under the newly formed independent production co., signed a deal with Universal's Focus Features to finance and co-own five movies, which will have a combined budget of around $100 million