Moved to USA from Israel at age eight (date approximate)

Went to Czechoslavakia to visit family; while there Russians invaded; took photos and sold them to TIME magazine for $9,500

Began work on what was to become the 8mm "The Domestication of the Unicorn"

Made first feature-length film, "The Blank Generation"

Worked in distribution at New Line Cinema

Made first narrative film, "Unmade Beds" (1980) for $5000; first collaboration with Eric Mitchell

Made "The Foreigner" for $10,000; film was co-written by and starred Mitchell

Produced and directed first color feature "Subway Riders" (1981); budgeted at $45,000

Played bit part of hustler in "Smithereens"

Wrote and directed "Alphabet City"

Wrote screenplay for "Rocket Gibralter"

Produced "Joey Breaker"

TV debut, directed the Showtime made-for-cable movie "Dead Weekend"; also created story and co-executive produced

Garnered controversy for TV commercials for World Gym that featured nudity