Born in Texas

Lived in Los Angeles until his father's death

Family moved to Michigan

Enlisted in the US Army; served a 15-month tour of duty in Vietnam with the 173rd Airborne Brigade

Attended college on the G.I. Bill

Met Paul Schrader who was on a promotional tour; inspired to become a screenwriter

Opened art-house movie theatre in Grand Rapids, MI

Became general manager of Goodrich Theatres chain

Moved to Los Angeles to break into movie business; wrote spec scripts

Became accounts receivable clerk for Roger Corman

Went to work for Crown International as assistant controller

Scripted first feature film, the exploitative "The Beach Girls", produced by Crown International; billed as Patrick Duncan

Worked as an auditor for General Cinema

Did uncredited rewrites on films starring Chuck Norris

Formed Charlie MoPic Company with Michael Nolin

Wrote and produced several episodes of "Vietnam War Story" (HBO); won CableACE Award; billed as Patrick S Duncan

Directed first feature film, "84 Charlie MoPic"; also scripted

Directed and wrote a series of six syndicated TV-movies under the umbrella title "Medal of Honor: True Stories of America's Greatest War"

Directed and scripted the Fox TV-movie "Live From Death Row!"; billed as Patrick Duncan

Scripted and executive produced the feature "A Home of Our Own"

Wrote and directed the "The Pornographer"

Scripted the thriller "Nick of Time", directed by John Badham

Executive produced and wrote the screenplay for "Mr. Holland's Opus"

Scripted "Courage Under Fire", directed by Edward Zwick

Launched magazine Screenwriter Quarterly

Putnam published novelization of "Courage Under Fire"

Penned the script for the Showtime movie "The Wall", a tripart film about objects left at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC

Signed to write script for based-on-fact drama "Act of Courage", about a female military specialist attempting to regain custody of her children

Penned the CBS miniseries "Elvis," a chronicle of the life of Elvis Presley, from his humble beginnings to his rise to international stardom