Inspired to start a film career after seeing, "Slacker," Richard Linklater's film about shiftless youth

Wrote script for "Clerks"

Debuted "Clerks" at the Sundance Film Festival; Miramax acquired distribution rights

Formed production company, View Askew

Released second feature, "Mallrats"; first affiliation with actor Ben Affleck

Signed deal with Carsey-Werner Productions to develop TV sitcom; deal fell apart when Jason Lee (star of "Mallrats") decided he didn't want to do a sitcom

First producing credit (as executive producer) on a movie he did not direct, "Drawing Flies"

Helmed "Chasing Amy," starring Affleck, Lee and then-girlfriend Joey Lauren Adams

Received co-executive producing credit on "Good Will Hunting" for his help getting the Damon-Affleck script made

"Clerks (the Comic Book)" debuted, offering the continuing adventures of super slackers Dante and Randal

Rewrote screenplay for straight-to-video "Overnight Delivery"

Directed "Dogma," featuring Damon and Affleck; also reprised role of Silent Bob, the role he portrayed in his three previous directorial efforts

Executive produced, wrote and voiced character of Silent Bob on the animated "Clerks" (ABC)

Helmed and co-starred in "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back"

Helmed "Jersey Girl," which starred Ben Affleck and Liv Tyler

Helmed "Clerks ll" the sequel to his first film, 1994's "Clerks" reprising the role of Silent Bob

Co-starred with Jennifer Garner in "Catch and Release" the directorial debut of Susannah Grant

Co-starred in Richard Kelly's ensemble film, "Southland Tales"