Raised in East Bronx, NY

Began writing poetry at age 11

Wrote first play, "Danny and the Deep Blue Sea," while working as bartender in the 1970s

First play produced in NYC, "Welcome to the Moon"

Play "Savage in Limbo" produced Off-Off-Broadway

Penned the play "Women of Manhattan"; began association with Manhattan Theatre Club

Wrote first screenplay, "Five Corners"

Enjoyed success with Manhattan Theatre Club production of "Italian American Reconciliation"

First released film as screenwriter, "Moonstruck"

Directed first short, "I Am Angry"

Helmed debut feature, "Joe Versus the Volcano"

Wrote the screenplays for "Alive," about survivors of a plane crash in the Andes

Had a hit Off-Broadway with the Hollywood satire "Four Dogs and a Bone"

Penned the screenplay for "Congo," based on Michael Crichton's novel

Wrote the play, "Psychopathia Sexualis" as a response to a midlife crisis; staged in NYC at Manhattan Theatre Club in 1997

Premiered his play "Where's My Money?" at the LABrynth Theater in NYC

Penned the HBO movie "Live from Baghdad," adapted from CNN producer Robert Wiener's book about the Persian Gulf War in 1991

Scripted the Off-Broadway play "Doubt"; transferred to Broadway in March 2005

Wrote and directed the film adaptation of his Broadway play, "Doubt"; earned Golden Globe and Academy Award nominations for Best Screenplay