Stage debut in "Who Will Save the Plowboy?" at age 12

Dropped out of high school at age 16

Began acting career in summer stock in New Jersey

Acted in Off-Broadway productions

Made Broadway debut in "Over Here!"; acted opposite the Andrews Sisters for 10 months

Appeared in the original Broadway production of "Grease" (also toured with show for 10 months)

Made feature film debut in a bit part in "The Devil's Rain"

Cast as Vinnie Barbarino on "Welcome Back, Kotter" (ABC); began appearing with less frequency toward the end of its run

TV-movie debut, "The Boy in the Plastic Bubble" (ABC)

Had featured role in Brian De Palma's "Carrie"

First starring role in a feature, as Tony Manero, in "Saturday Night Fever"; earned Best Actor Oscar nomination

Reprised stage role for the feature version of "Grease"

Starred with Debra Winger in "Urban Cowboy"

Reteamed with De Palma for "Blow Out"

Returned to TV to co-star in Harold Pinter's "The Dumb Waiter"; a one-act play directed by Robert Altman

Initially revived career with "Look Who's Talking" but did not follow up on movie's success

Co-wrote screenplay and starred in "Chains of Gold"

Revitalized feature acting career with an acclaimed portrayal of a junkie hitman in Quentin Tarantino's "Pulp Fiction"; earned second Best Actor Academy Award nomination

Cast as Chili Palmer in Barry Sonnenfeld's "Get Shorty"; starred with Gene Hackman, Rene Russo and Danny DeVito

First film with John Woo, "Broken Arrow"

Starred opposite Nicolas Cage in second film with director John Woo "Face/Off"

Portrayed Governor Jack Stanton in the political feature, "Primary Colors"; helmed by Mike Nichols

Played attorney Jan Schlichtman who battles powerful companies on behalf of the victims of toxic poisoning in "A Civil Action"; based on the book by Jonathan Harr

Realized dream project of starring in the feature adaptation of L. Ron Hubbard's sci-fi novel "Battlefield Earth"; film and performance was panned by critics

Starred opposite Lisa Kudrow in the Nora Ephron-directed "Lucky Numbers"

Portrayed a spy in the thriller "Swordfish"

Played a DEA agent in dramatic thriller "Basic"

Cast opposite Thomas Jane in "The Punisher"

Cast as Chief Kennedy in the drama "Ladder 49" also starring Joaquin Phoenix

Co-starred with Scarlett Johansson in "A Love Song for Bobby Long"

Again played Chili Palmer, his charater from the hit film "Get Shorty" in its sequel "Be Cool"

Cast in the comedy-adventure "Wild Hogs," as one of four middle-aged friends who decide to rev up their routine suburban lives with a freewheeling motorcycle trip

Portrayed housewife Edna Turnblad in the big screen version of the Tony-winning Broadway musical "Hairspray"; earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture