Born and raised in New York

Moved to Los Angeles

Made TV appearances on such shows as "Quincy", "The Waltons" and "Police Story"

Feature acting debut, "The Turning Point"

TV movie debut, "Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery"

Last feature appearance, "Fort Apache, the Bronx"

Attended American Film Institute, directed first short film "The Expert"

TV directorial debut, "MacGyver"; followed with series such as "L.A. Law," "The Equalizer" and "Amazing Stories"

Feature directorial debut, "Mystic Pizza"

Directed Dana Carvey in his film debut, "Opportunity Knocks"

Had major box office hit with the comedy "Grumpy Old Men" starring Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau

Helmed big screen adaptation of children's comic book "Richie Rich" starring Macauley Culkin

Directed the romantic comedy "The Favor"

Directed an episode of David E. Kelley's CBS hospital drama "Chicago Hope"

Directed Whoopi Goldberg in the gender-switching comedy "The Associate"

Directed an episode of the brief NBC police action series "Players" starring Ice T

Helmed big-screen adaptation of the 1960s TV sitcom "My Favorite Martian"

Directed episodes of the short-lived Fox prep school series "The Opposite Sex"

Teamed with star Sandra Bullock for the hit beauty pageant comedy "Miss Congeniality"

Directed Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey in the romantic comedy "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days"

Directed Gene Hackman and Ray Romano in "Welcome to Mooseport"

Directed Lindsay Lohan in the comedy "Just My Luck"