Raised in East Los Angeles

Opened photo studio in New York; became top advertising photographer and director of TV commercials in the 1950s and 1960s

Feature film directing debut, "Slither"

Directed Barbra Streisand and Ryan O'Neal in the comedy, "The Main Event"

Best known for directing Goldie Hawn in "Private Benjamin"

Helmed the comedy, "Unfaithfully Yours" starring Dudley Moore

Directed the coming-of-age film, "My Girl"

Returned to direct the sequel, "My Girl 2"

Retired from directing shortly after the release of "My Girl 2" due to the effects of Parkinson's disease