Raised in Radcliffe, Lancashire, England

Began career as theater director with the radical Joint Stock Company

Served as artistic director of the Royal Court Theatre Upstairs

Was deputy director of the Royal Court Theatre

Directed "Inspector Morse: Masonic Mysteries" for TV

Directed the BBC series "Mr. Wroe's Virgins"

Feature directorial debut, "Shallow Grave"; scripted by John Hodge and produced by Andrew Macdonald

Made second feature, "Trainspotting"; adapted by Hodge and produced by Macdonald

Directed Ewan McGregor and Cameron Diaz in "A Life Less Ordinary"; again collaborated with Hodge and Macdonald

Helmed an adaptation of the cult novel, "The Beach," starring Leonardo DiCaprio; again collaborated with Hodge and Macdonald

Directed the feature "28 Days Later," co-starring Brendan Gleeson and Cillian Murphy

Directed the Frank Cottrell Boyce scripted, "Millions"

Again directed Cillian Murphy in the sci-fi film "Sunshine"

Produced but did not direct, "28 Weeks Later," the sequel to his film "28 Days Later"

Directed an unknown cast in "Slumdog Millionaire," about an impoverished child on the streets of Mumbai that lucks out on India's version of 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?'

Nominated for the 2008 Golden Globe Award for Best Director - Motion Picture (“Slumdog Millionaire”)

Nominated for the 2008 Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film (“Slumdog Millionaire”)

Nominated for the 2008 Academy Award for Best Achievement in Directing (“Slumdog Millionaire”)