A former journalist, sports writer and literature professor James Toback began his film career with the semi-autobiographical screenplay for Karel Reisz's "The Gambler" (1974) and made a powerful directorial debut with "Fingers" (1978), a crude but fascinating melodrama (which he also wrote) about an aspiring pianist (played by Harvey Keitel) who reluctantly "collects" debts owed to his domineering father (Michael V. Gazzo). Actor-athlete Jim Brown, whom Toback profiled in a 1971 book, also contributed his strong screen presence in a rare subdued role as the man whom Keitel's love interest
Contributed articles and criticism to HARPER'S, ESQUIRE, and COMMENTARY magazines; was sports columnist for LIFESTYLE magazine and film critic for DISSENT
1967
Began friendship with Norman Mailer, based on an essay he published on the author in COMMENTARY, which Mailer found alert and well argued
