Began career as an actor with revue troupe Cambridge Circus, performing in New York

Appeared on "The Ed Sullivan Show"

Was writer and cast member of syndicated TV series, "Cambridge Circus"

Acted in repertory in Lecester, Edinburgh and with the Bristol Old Vic in London

Appeared on stage in "Green Julia" (1965), "Fiddler on the Roof" (1967-68), "Blue Comedy" (1968), "The Comedy of the Changing Years" (1969), "When We Are Married" (1970)

Stage directing debut "The Plotters of the Cabbage Patch Corner"

Wrote first TV script for the situation comedy, "My Brother's Keeper" (also co-starred)

Wrote first feature screenplay for "The Internecine Project"

Served as artistic director of the Cambridge Theatre Company

RSC directing debut, "Anna Christie"

Writer for the TV and radio programs, "Yes, Minister"

Broadway directing debut, "The Moony Shapiro Songbook"

Directed the British TV movies: "Barmitzvah Boy" (1975), "The Knowledge" (1979), "Outside Edge" (1982), "Diana" (1984)

Short film directing debut, "Mick's People"

Feature directing debut (also writer) "Clue"

Appeared in "Three Men and a Little Lady"

Directed the pilot/premiere episode of TV series, "Ferris Bueller"

Helmed the Eddie Murphy vehicle "The Distinguished Gentleman"

Directed "Greedy", a comedy starring Kirk Douglas

Helmed the big screen version of the 1950s TV show "Sgt. Bilko", starring Steve Martin

Produced and directed the comedy "Trial and Error"

Helmed "The Whole Nine Yards", starring Bruce Willis and Matthew Perry