J.F. Lawton moved to the A-list with his script for Garry Marshall's blockbuster "Pretty Woman" (1990). While the original screenplay, entitled "3,000", was much darker, the final result, which played much like a fairy tale and was enhanced by Julia Roberts star-making turn, catapulted Lawton to the forefront. Yet, this was not his first screen credit. While studying film at CalState Long Beach, Lawton had won attention for his short films "The Artist" (1981) and "Renaissance" (1983). The California native, the son of novelist Harry Lawton, started his film career editing trailers for Cannon
Directed first feature "Cannibal Women in the Avocado Jungle"; also scripted (credited as JD Athens)
His film "Three Thousand," was selected by the Sundance Institute for their screenwriting workshop (title later changed to "Pretty Woman")
1990
Breakthrough screenplay, "Pretty Woman"; directed by Garry Marshall and starred Richard Gere and Julia Roberts; received a nomination for Writer's Guild of America
1991
Wrote and directed "Pizza Man" starring Bill Maher (credited as JD Athens)
