Emmigrated from Hungary; spent time in refugee camps

His mother's schizophrenia became serious when he was 13

Began career as reporter for newspapers in Dayton, OH and Cleveland, OH

Mother died when he was 23

Fired by the Cleveland PLAIN DEALER after he criticized his editors in the EVERGREEN REVIEW

Sued, along with the PLAIN DEALER, by the victim of a bridge collapse for implying he had interviewed the victim's mother when he had not; the PLAIN DEALER had to pay $60,000

Became a political correspondent for ROLLING STONE

Published a book entitled "Charlie Simpson's Apocalypse" which was nominated for the National Book Award; received a call from an agent at United Artists who found his prose "cinematic"

Feature debut, received story credit and co-scripted (with Sylvester Stallone) the labor drama "F.I.S.T" under the mentorship of director Norman Jewison

Had conflicts with director Adrian Lyne over the ending of "Flashdance"

Wrote first draft of a semi-autobiographical film based on his childhood in Cleveland; script eventually became "Telling Lies in America" (1997)

Clashed with Columbia studio head Frank Price over the ending of "Jagged Edge"

First film as executive producer, "Betrayed" (also screenwriter)

Left his representative at Mike Ovitz's Creative Artists Agency for agent (and longtime friend) Guy McElwaine at International Creative Management; claimed that he was subsequently threatened by Ovitz

Paid a then-record $3 million for his screenplay for "Basic Instinct"

Initially sided with gay and lesbian protesters over the supposedly homophobic elements in the film of his screenplay for "Basic Instinct"; recanted after seeing the final cut of the film

Agreed to rewrite the ending of "Sliver" after the original conclusion tested baldly; version used was not all his

Savoy Pictures purchased his screenplay for "Foreplay" for $3.5 million plus 2.5 percent of the gross including a percentage of soundtrack sales; such deals are usually reserved for elite movie stars and directors

Penned the script for "An Alan Smithee Film--Burn, Hollywood, Burn", directed by Arthur Hiller who clashed with Eszterhas and removed his name from the film