Raised in Larchmont, New York

After graduating from Amherst, worked as a political organizer and literacy teacher

Returned to NYC; worked as bartender for catering company while writing screenplays

First short film, "Boston to Pananma"

Made second short film, "Bingo Inferno"

Produced, wrote and directed the short film, "Hairway to the Stars"

Release of first feature film, "Spanking the Monkey"

Second film, "Flirting With Disaster" released

Directed the adventure-themed "Three Kings", starring George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg and Ice Cube

Wrote and directed the off beat comedy "I Heart Huckabees" starring Jason Schwartzman, Dustin Hoffman and Jude Law