Raised in Dublin, Ireland

Contracted scarlet fever at age seven and nearly died

Formed "Children's T" theater company after graduating from college

Founded (and served as the artistic director) the Project Arts Centre in Dublin

Moved to Canada

Moved to New York

Enrolled at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts

Artistic director of New York's Irish Arts Centre

Worked as a cab driver while serving as artistic director of the Irish Arts Centre

Wrote a biography of Irish boxing champion Barry McGuigan

Film directing and screenwriting debut, "My Left Foot"; received Academy Award nominations for Best Director and Best Screenplay

Started production company, Hell's Kitchen Productions; partnered with Arthur Lappin

Feature debut as a producer, "In the Name of the Father", starring Daniel Day-Lewis; also wrote and directed; received Acadeny Award nominations for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Screenplay

Wrote and produced the IRA-themed drama "Some Mother's Son"

Reteamed with Day-Lewis for "The Boxer"; wrote, produced and directed the character study; received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Director

Served as producer on "Agnes Browne", helmed by Anjelica Huston

Was executive producer of "Borstal Boy", a biopic of Irish author Brendan Behan

Produced, wrote and directed the semi-autobiographical drama "In America", originally titled East of Harlem; nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for best director; earned Golden Globe and Oscar nominations for Best Screenplay, which was shared with his daughters Kirsten and Naomi Sheridan who co-wrote the script

Directed the urban drama "Get Rich or Die Tryin'" a film loosely based on the life of rapper 50 Cent, who makes his acting debut