Met future co-workers Jay Tarses and Tom Patchett while working as a shipping clerk at the Armstrong Cork Company, Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Worked his way up from copywriter to president of Burton-Campbell Advertising

Worked as a writer on the popular CBS sitcom "The Bob Newhart Show" in the mid-1970s

Apprentice director, MTM Enterprises

First directed and produced for TV with the ABC sitcom "The Tony Randall Show" (CBS for second season); also wrote for series

Created the CBS sitcom "WKRP in Cincinnati", for which he also wrote, executive produced and directed

First feature film work, writing the screenplay for "Stroker Ace"

Made feature directing debut with "Police Academy", agreeing to write the film on condition he be allowed to direct it

Parodied the Western genre in lackluster "Rustler's Rhapsody", starring Tom Berenger

Played a small role ('Customer at Mayday') in the feature "Burglar", which he also wrote and directed

Created and executive produced the acclaimed CBS series "Frank's Place"; also wrote and directed the premiere episode

Acted the role of D. Wayne Thomas on the Jan. 18 episode of "Frank's Place"

Helmed the pilot for "The New WKRP in Cincinnati" (syndicated)

Co-scripted and helmed "Guarding Tess", starring Nicolas Cage and Shirley MacLaine; also provided Voice of President

Directed hit film "The First Wives' Club", adapted from Olivia Goldsmith's novel

Co-wrote (with its director John Milius) TNT miniseries "Rough Riders", starring Berenger as Teddy Roosevelt

Produced John Shea's "Southie"

Co-wrote, produced and directed "Blast from the Past", starring Brendan Fraser

Gave a polish to the script and helmed "Dudley Do-Right", starring Fraser as the simpleminded titular Royal Canadian Mounted Policeman, Sarah Jessica Parker as Nell and Alfred Molina as his nemesis Snidely Whiplash; characters based on the animated characters created by Jay Ward from "The Bullwinkle Show"

Directed the family friendly "Mickey", scripted by John Grisham