Raised in upstate New York and in Virginia

Moved to Hollywood to pursue career

Worked in television as a producer and screenwriter; wrote for "Hart to Hart" and "Paper Dolls"; often credited as Donald Paul Roos

Served as executive script consultant and writer for the ABC series "The Colbys"

Provided the story for and wrote script for the ABC Disney movie "Casebusters";

Took a sabatical to write first screenplay, "Love Field" (filmed in 1990; released in 1992)

Served as one of the producers on the NBC drama series "Nightingales"; also wrote one episode; first credits as Don Roos

Penned the hit thriller "Single White Female"

Scripted the female buddy road movie "Boys on the Side"; clashed with director Herbert Ross and was banished from the set during filming

Wrote the remake of "Diabolique", starring Sharon Stone and Isabelle Adjani

Feature directorial debut with the well-received black comedy "The Opposite of Sex"; also scripted

Wrote and directed the pilot for the NBC sitcom "Mind Your Own Business", about a teenager who seeks out her biological relatives when her adopted parents are killed; pilot picked up as a midseason replacement for the 1999-2000 season under the title "M.Y.O.B."; announced to air in summer 2000

Was one of the writers on the thriller "Bless the Child"

Wrote and directed second feature "Bounce", a romantic drama which teamed Gwyneth Paltrow and Ben Affleck

Executive produced the romantic comedy "All Over the Guy"

Helmed "Happy Endings" a drama that weaves multiple stories to create a witty look at love, family, and the sheer unpredictability of life itself