Served in the US Army; achieved the rank of sergeant

Was an associate producer for CBS-TV's "Playhouse 90"

Wrote the lyrics (with Glen Paxton) for "First Impressions," a Broadway musical based on Jane Austen's classic novel, "Pride and Prejudice"

Worked intermittently on a musical about the Civil War for over a decade

Worked with NET Playhouse for PBS

Wrote a song for the feature film, "When the Legends Die"

Wrote the screenplay for "Shoot the Moon", which was not filmed until nearly a decade later

Was a writer and producer for "Theater in America," a PBS TV series; produced TV presentations of well-known plays including "Enemies" by Maxim Gorky and "June Moon" by George S. Kaufman and Ring Lardner

Moved out to Hollywood (date approximate)

First screenplays, "End of the Game" and "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest"; won the Academy Award for the latter

Picked up second Oscar for script for "Melvin and Howard"

Career interrupted after the death of his son Jesse

Served as a special consultant for Warren Beatty's feature film, "Dick Tracy"

Received third Oscar nomination for work on screenplay for "Scent of a Woman", starring Al Pacino

Contributed to the screenplay for the Pacino vehicle "City Hall"

Received screenwriting credit on "Meet Joe Black", a loose remake of "Death Takes a Holiday"