Raised in Old Westbury, Long Island, New York

Enlisted in US Army Reserve and served six months

Worked as director of documentaries, commercials and industrial films

Relocated from NYC to L.A. to pursue film career

Feature screenwriting debut, "Silent Running", shared screen credit with Deric Washburn and Steven Bochco

Shared screen credit with John Milius on "Magnum Force", starring Clint Eastwood

Feature directing debut (also screenwriter), "Thunderbolt and Lightfoot", starring Eastwood and Jeff Bridges

Scored biggest success with "The Deer Hunter"; wrote, produced and directed; won Oscars as Best Picture and Best Director

"Heaven's Gate", budgeted at $12 million and made for $38 million, was a colossal failure leading to the collapse of United Artists

Directed "Year of the Dragon" which drew wildly different critical reviews; also co-wrote screenplay with Oliver Stone

Bombed with "The Sicilian"; director's cut, though thirty minutes longer, was considered somewhat more coherent but was also a box-office failure

Directed and produced the remake of the crime suspense drama "Desperate Hours"

"Sunchaser", starring Woody Harrelson, shown in competition at the Cannes Film Festival; given limited release before heading to video

Published first novel, "Big Jane", in France