Born in Tennessee

Family moved to San Diego, California

As a teenager, began shooting 8mm films with his friends

In the late 1980s, after college, directed music videos for alternative bands like L7

Began helming commercial advertisements

Directed the popular Budweiser campaign featuring belching frogs

Wrote and directed the short film, "The Ritual"

Feature film debut as director, "Mouse Hunt"

Helmed second feature, "The Mexican"

Directed Naomi Watts in the thriller "The Ring"

Helmed the commercially and critically successful feature “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl," based on the Disneyland theme ride

Directed "The Weather Man" starring Nicolas Cage as a Chicago weather man trying to figure out his life

Directed the 'Pirates' sequel, "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest"

Returned to direct the third installment, "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End"