As a teenager, began writing fiction and poetry

Served in US Army Reserve Corps in the Aleutian Islands

Published first novel, "Williwaw"

Third novel, "The City and the Pillar", caused controversy because its hero was a homosexual

Subject of a chapter in John W Aldridge's book "After a Lost Generation: A Critical Study of the Writers of Two Wars" which sharply criticized his work

Adopted various pseudonyms in the 1950s after The New York Times banned reviews of his work

TV writing debut, an adaptation of the George S. Kaufman-Edna Ferber Broadway play from the 1930s, "Stage Door"

Enjoyed success with TV presentation "Visit to a Small Planet"; later adapted as a Broadway play (1957) and a film (1960)

Screenwriting debut, "The Catered Affair", based on Paddy Chayefsky's play

Collaborated with Tennessee Williams on the adaptation of "Suddenly, Last Summer"

Contributed to the screenplay for the Oscar-winning Best Picture "Ben-Hur"

Unsuccessful bid for New York Congressional seat

Wrote film adaptation of "The Best Man"; awarded Cannes Film Festival Critics' Prize

Hosted TV show, "Hot Line"

Co-wrote the script at "Is Paris Burning?"

Published controversial book "Myra Breckinridge", a spoof of Hollywood

Penned the play "Weekend"

Adapted "The Last of the Mobile Hot-Shots" from a work by Tennessee Williams

Wrote the play "An Evening with Richard Nixon"

First film appearance, "Fellini's Roma"

Did uncredited work on the script for "Caligula"

Wrote the NBC miniseries "Dress Gray"

Scripted the TNT miniseries "Gore Vidal's 'Billy the Kid'"; also had small role as a minister

Co-wrote the screenplay for "The Palermo Connection"

Played major supporting role in "Bob Roberts"