Raised by two uncles and one family of friends of his parents after parents were arrested

Became a film buff after the occupation ended

While a senior at Dejvice high school, organized a drama club and staged an avant-garde musical about Francois Villon which toured small halls near Prague

Enrolled in newly founded Film Institute at the University of Prague (FAMU)

Directed documentaries for Czech TV

Collaborated on script of Martin Fric's feature comedy, "Leave It to Me" (1955) while still a student at FAMU

First onscreen appearance in Alfred Radok's "Old Man Motorcar"

Wrote and was assistant director on Ivo Novak's film, "Puppies"

Joined theater group Laterna Magika (Magic Lantern) as an assistant writer; worked with Alfred Radok on presentations that mixed film with live actors to be performed for the Brussels World Fair

Medium-length 16mm semi-documentary directing debut with "Konkurs/Competition"; Forman's first collaboration with Ivan Passar and cinematographer Miroslav Ondricek

Feature film directing debut with "Cerny Petr/Black Peter"

Made first trip to the US; negotiated to make first US feature; wanted to produce a film adaptation of the stage musical "Hair", but rights were not available

Was in Paris at time of Russian occupation of Czechoslovakia in August and the fall of the Dubcek regime in September and stayed there until moving to New York in 1969

Made first US film, "Taking Off"

Subject of Mira Weingarten's documentary short, "Meeting Milos Forman"

Contributing director for "Visions of Eight" (documentary covering Munich Olympics)

Directed a failed play for the NY stage

Was suffering from acute depression when approached by producers Saul Zaentz and Michael Douglas to direct film adaptation of Ken Kesey's novel, "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest"

Directed breakthrough US feature, "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest"; won first Oscar as Best Director

Named co-director of Columbia University film division

Became a US citizen (November 30)

Made professor, Columbia University film division

Helmed adaptation of stage musical "Hair"

Directed "Ragtime"; convinced James Cagney to come out of retirement to play final screen role

Reteamed with producer Saul Zaentz to direct the film adaptation of Peter Shaffer's "Amadeus"; returned to Czechoslovakia for the first time since 1968 to film on location; earned second Oscar as Best Director

Made US acting debut in small role in Mike Nichols' "Heartburn"

Was subject of a segment of the PBS series "American Masters"

Last film released for seven years, "Valmont"

Acted in Henry Jaglom's "New Year's Day"

Worked on unproduced film, "Hell Camp", about Americans in Japan

Began pre-production on "Disclosure"; withdrew from film in the fall of 1993 (eventually replaced by Barry Levinson)

Returned to feature directing with "The People vs. Larry Flynt," based on the life of the publisher of Hustler magazine

Helmed "Man on the Moon", the biopic of comedian Andy Kaufman starring Jim Carrey

Co-starred with Edward Norton in the actor's directorial debut "Keeping the Faith," as the wise friend to Norton's young, conflicted priest

Executive produced "Nomad," a historical epic set in 18th-century Kazakhstan

Helmed "Goya's Ghosts," a film about Spanish grand master Francisco de Goya starring Javier Bardem and Natalie Portman