Split time between Fulham and Hatfield until parents divorced

Following parents' divorce, spent much of his youth at Loton Park, the 17th-century home of his baronet stepfather, Sir Michael Leighton

After washing out of Standbridge Earls School at age 15, worked at Island Records

Began working construction jobs at age 17

Got job as a runner for Soho film producers (date approximate)

Directed about 20 music videos as well as a few commercials

Made 20-minute short film, "The Hard Case"

Debut feature as writer-director, "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels"; first film with producing partner, Matthew Vaughn; a friend of Ritchie's had aroused Vaughn's interest by lying that he had collaborated with playwright Peter Shaffer on the "Lock, Stock" script

Co-wrote and produced "Lock, Stock and Four Stolen Hooves", the pilot for seven-part British TV series "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels", based on the feature; aired on Channel 4

Arrested May 17 for alledgedly assaulting a man outside the $2.7 million mansion he was renting with his girlfriend Madonna, who was five months pregnant at the time

Follow-up feature, "Snatch", with much of the "Lock, Stock" cast (i.e., Jason Flemying, Vinnie Jones, Jason Statham) and Brad Pitt, released in Britain; on the strength of his debut, Sony committed to film without reading a script; co-produced with Vaughn

Helmed Madonna's music video "What It Feels Like for a Girl"

Directed "Star", one of five short film advertisements for BMW shown over the Internet at bmwfilms.com; Madonna had featured role

Directed "Swept Away", a remake of the Italian film starring Madonna; the film was both a critical and commercial disappointment

Developed the hidden camera show called "Swag," which aired on Britain’s Channel 5

Helmed the Vegas-themed heist film "Revolver"; film was also critically panned

Developed the concept for the 10-issue limited series comic book, The Gamekeeper (Virgin Comics)

Directed (also produced and scripted) the Russian mob drama, "RocknRolla" starring Gerard Butler, Thandie Newton and Tom Wilkinson