Served in the US Army; painted dioramas at Fort Bliss; discharged with the rank of corporal

Roomed with college chum Harvey Schmidt, with whom Benton wrote two books

Freelance writer and artistic associate with Esquire

Served as graphics editor with Esquire

Became art director of Esquire

First worked with future collaborator David Newman at Esquire; reportedly Benton and Newman developed the magazine's annual college issue and its Dubios Achievement Awards

Short film co-directing and co-producing debut (with Elinor Jones), "A Texas Romance"; also created paintings

Was a contributing editor to Esquire

With David Newman, wrote the book for the Broadway musical "It's a Bird ... It's a Plane ... It's Superman"

Feature film co-writing debut (with Newman), "Bonnie and Clyde"; earned first Oscar nomination for script

Contributed sketch material to the stage musical "Oh! Calcutta"

Feature directing debut (also co-writer), "Bad Company"

Breakthrough feature as writer-director "Kramer vs. Kramer", starring Dustin Hoffman and Meryl Streep; Benton won two Academy Awards as Best Director and for Best Adapted Screenplay

Directed Streep in the thriller "Still of the Night"

Wrote and directed the semi-autobiographical "Places in the Heart"; earned Oscar nomination as Best Director; won Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay

First feature as producer (co-executive), "The House on Carroll Street", directed by Peter Yates

Directed Dustin Hoffman in film adapatation of E L Doctorow's "Billy Bathgate"; first time directing film he did not write; initial collaboration with Nicole Kidman

First screen collaboration with Paul Newman, "Nobody's Fool", adapted from Richard Russo's novel; also marked final screen appearance of Jessica Tandy

Again directed Newman in the contemporary detective story "Twilight", co-starring Stockard Channing, Gene Hackman and Susan Sarandon

Adapted the screen version of Philip Roth's novel "The Human Stain," featuring Nicole Kidman and Anthony Hopkins; also directed

Co-adapted Scott Phillips's "Ice Harvest," starring John Cusack and Billy Bob Thornton

Helmed "Feast of Love," a film based on the novel by Charles Baxter and featuring an ensemble cast