Raised near Syosset, NY

At age 16, worked as a dishwasher at the Eastside Comedy Club in Huntington, New York (date approximate)

Hosted own radio show at his high school; interviewed such comedians as Jerry Seinfeld, Jay Leno and Martin Short

Made debut as stand-up comic in Long Island

TV debut as performer, "Comic Strip Live" (Fox)

Worked as a joke writer for both Roseanne and Tom Arnold, as well as Jim Carrey

TV debut as writer, "Tom Arnold: The Naked Truth" (HBO)

First film as associate producer, "Crossing the Bridge"

Series debut as writer and consulting producer, "The Larry Sanders Show" (HBO)

Created, produced, wrote for and appeared in "The Ben Stiller Show" (Fox); won Emmy for writing

Wrote for the annual telecast of the Grammy Awards

Produced and wrote for the animated series "The Critic" (Fox)

First film as executive producer and co-screenwriter, "Heavyweights"; also played bit part

First solo screenwriting credit, "Celtic Pride"; also executive produced

Formed Apatow Productions; signed two-year, first look deal with New Line

Sued Writers Guild of America for writing credit on "The Cable Guy"; also served as a producer; suit later withdrawn

Served as executive producer of the NBC drama "Freaks and Geeks"; initial collaboration with Paul Feig

With Feig, created the Fox series "Undeclared," about freshmen college students; also served as executive producer

Produced "Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy" starring Will Ferrell; also cast in a small role

Made directorial debut with the comedy "The 40 Year-Old Virgin" starring Steve Carell; also co-wrote the film with Steve Carell

Helmed the comedy "Knocked Up" about an insensitive slacker who impregnates a girl after a one-night stand

Produced the film "Superbad," which was co-penned by frequent collaborator, Seth Rogen

Co-wrote the music and lyrics for "Walk Hard" from the film, "Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story"; earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Original Song for a Motion Picture