Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois

Spent one year in Israel working on a kibbutz

Moved family to California; supported them with odd jobs while trying to complete a novel

Relocated family to Europe; tried to finish the novel and taught English in Greece and math in Florence

Returned to Chicago

Met Anais Nin at the University of Chicago

Co-wrote and co-directed with Benjamin Manaster, his first feature based on his yet unfinished novel, "Goldstein"

Directed Jon Voight in his screen debut in "Fearless Frank"; also produced and scripted

Moved to Hollywood; put under contract to Universal Studios

First film for Universal, "The Great Northfield Minnesota Raid", about the James and Younger brothers

Directed "The White Dawn", a whaling adventure set in the 19th Century, greatly helped by the expert cinematography of Michael Chapman

Was fired from "The Outlaw Josey Wales" by star Clint Eastwood, who took over the directorial reins; retained screenwriter credit

Moved to San Francisco

Developed original story for "Raiders of the Lost Ark" with George Lucas

First feature co-written with wife, Rose Fisher Kaufman, "The Wanderers", adapted from Richard Price's novel

Made what is considered his best film, "The Right Stuff", based on Tom Wolfe's book about the US space program; although a box-office disappointment, film earned eight Oscar nominations, including one as Best Picture

Received Academy Award nomination for co-writing (with Jean-Claude Carriere) the screenplay adaptation of "The Unbearable Lightness of Being"; also directed

His "Henry & June" became the first film to receive the new MPAA classification NC-17 over its sexual content; film, which was a box-office failure, traced the relationship of authors Henry Miller and Anais Nin

Helmed the film adaptation of Michael Crichton's controversial novel "Rising Sun"; also co-scripted with Crichton

Executive produced and narrated "China: The Wild East", a documentary directed by his son Peter

Returned to the director's chair to helm "Quills", a film based on Doug Wright's stage play about the Marquis de Sade