Raised in Arlington, Texas

Acted in regional theater productions including, "Whose Life Is It, Anyway?" and "Hamlet"

Worked as assistant director/instructor with Film Actors Lab

Wrote first screenplay, "Trespasses" (also actor)

Breakthrough role, playing Ritchie Valens in "La Bamba"

Co-starred with Edward James Olmos in the inner-city high school drama, "Stand and Deliver"

Co-starred with Emilio Estevez and Kiefer Sutherland in the western "Young Guns"

Reprised role for "Young Guns II"

Directed first feature, "Dangerous Touch" (also scripted and starred)

Broadway debut as the King of Siam in a revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein's "The King and I"

Co-starred with Denzel Washington and Meg Ryan in "Courage Under Fire"

Starred in the short-lived drama series "Wolf Lake" (CBS); episodes later aired on UPN in 2002

Had recurring role on the Fox drama "24"

Cast in a recurring role on the CBS series, "Numb3rs" as Agent Ian Edgerton