Worked as a schoolteacher

Began waiting tables at the Second City in Chicago

Was a company Member of Second City

Acted in four features, "Jackson County Jail", "Chesty Anderson--USN" (re-released in 1984), "Tunnelvision" and "The Last Affair"

TV debut as regular, "The Fun Factory" (NBC)

Moved to Los Angeles

TV-movie acting debut, "Outside Chance" (CBS)

Played policewoman Lucy Bates on the NBC drama series "Hill Street Blues"; won 1985 Emmy as Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series; also received six additional nominations

Acted opposite Shelley Long in the feature "Troop Beverly Hills"

Directed episodes of "Hooperman" (ABC)

Helmed premiere episode of the ABC series "Doogie Howser, M.D."

Directed episodes of HBO sitcom "Dream On"; earned Emmy and CableACE Awards for the "For Pete's Sake" episode

Directed pilot and premiere episode of "Arresting Behavior" (ABC)

Feature directorial debut, "Only You", a direct-to-video release

TV-movie directorial debut, "My Breast" (CBS); earned Emmy nomination

Directed feature, "The Brady Bunch Movie", reteaming with Long, who played the role created by Florence Henderson

Helmed "The Late Shift" for HBO; earned Emmy nomination

Directed Howard Stern in film adaptation of his memoirs "Private Parts"

Directed the non-musical remake of "Dr. Dolittle", starring Eddie Murphy

Signed to direct "Male Pattern Baldness" from a Joe Eszterhas script

Helmed the rehab-set comedy-drama "28 Days", starring Sandra Bullock

Directed feature film adaptation of TV hit "I Spy," reteaming with Murphy who co-starred with Owen Wilson

Produced the comedy "Surviving Christmas" starring Ben Affleck

Directed "John Tucker Must Die" a comedy about three high school girls who seek revenge on their cheating ex