Debuted first film, the short "The Artist"

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")

Breakthrough screenplay, "Pretty Woman"; directed by Garry Marshall and starred Richard Gere and Julia Roberts; received a nomination for Writer's Guild of America

Wrote and directed "Pizza Man" starring Bill Maher (credited as JD Athens)

Co-executive produced and scripted the Steven Seagal vehicle "Under Siege"

Co-wrote (with Damon Wayans) the screenplay for the Mike Binder directed superhero parody film "Blankman"; also co-starred Wayans

Wrote and directed "The Hunted" (first directorial credit as J. F. Lawton)

Was one of four writers credited with writing the script for "Chain Reaction"

Wrote and directed the ABC TV-movie "The Blue Angels"

Created the syndicated series, "V.I.P" starring Pamela Anderson

Co-wrote the film adaptation of the popular video game "DOA: Dead or Alive"

Co-scripted the remake of "Death Race"