Was a sickly child, spending much of his youth suffering with a series of illnesses

In early 1930s, family relocated from Michigan to New Hampshire and later Worcester, Massachusetts

While still in his teens, hired as a cub reporter at the Worcester Telegram

Left newspaper reporting to work as an editor and feature writer for radio

After college, worked as editor of daytime serials for Proctor and Gamble

Drafted into the US Army during WWII; spent part of time entertaining troops by recreating his father's vaudeville act

Moved to California after WWII to pursue career as a radio writer

Wrote for the radio series "The Whistler" and "Twelve Players"

Diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis; hospitalized for a year and a half at a veterans' facility in Massachusetts

Returned to California

Hired as a writer on "My Favorite Husband", starring Lucille Ball

Wrote for radio shows including "Amos and Andy", "Alias Jane Doe" and "The Adventures of Sam Spade"

First produced screenplay, "Red Ball Express"

First script directed by Alfred Hitchcock, "Rear Window"; nominated for an Academy Award

Wrote two screenplays filmed by Hitchcock, "The Trouble With Harry" and "To Catch a Thief"

Last collaboration with Hitchcock, "The Man Who Knew Too Much"

Penned the adaptation of "Peyton Place"; earned second Oscar nomination

Adapted Thornton Wilder's play "The Matchmaker" into a feature film

Moved to Maine

Scripted "Butterfield 8", adapted from stories by John O'Hara

Began association with Joseph E Levine and Embassy Pictures

Had two screenplay adaptations produced, "The Chalk Garden" and "The Carpetbaggers"

Wrote the original story and the screenplay for the Western "Nevada Smith"

Penned the screenplay for "Walking Tall", the biography of Sheriff Buford Pusser; opted to remove name from credits

First script for a TV-movie, "Winter Kill" (ABC)

Produced and wrote pilot episode for a proposed NBC series based on "Nevada Smith"

First feature script after 14-year pause, "Champagne for Breakfast"

Wrote the teleplay for the CBS biopic "Pancho Barnes"

Taught film studies and screenwriting at Dartmouth College

Wrote "Iron Will"