Raised in Southern California

Began shooting Super-8mm movies while in high school

Met future partner Larry Karaszewski while at USC in the 1980s

Within two weeks of graduating from college, sold first spec script "Homewreckers" to 20th Century Fox for $300,0000

TV writing debut, an episode of the syndicated series "Monsters"; also directed an episode

First produced screenplay, "Problem Child"; co-written with Larry Karaszewski

Reportedly worked on the script for the animated "Cats Don't Dance" (1997); did not receive final credit

Had first critical hit with "Ed Wood", directed by Tim Burton; co-written with Karaszewski

Worked on script rewrites of "Mars Attacks!" (1996) for Tim Burton; denied on screen credit by the Writers Guild

Won critical and popular acclaim with the controversial "The People vs. Larry Flynt", directed by Milos Forman; co-penned with Karaszewski

Co-wrote the screenplay for the remake of Disney's "That Darn Cat"; credited as S M Alexander

With Karaszewski, made co-directorial debut with "Screwed", also co-scripted (released theatrically in 2000)

Pair reteamed with Forman to script biopic of Andy Kaufman "Man on the Moon"

Co-wrote the teen adventure, "Agent Cody Banks"

With Karaszewski, adapted a Stephen King short story called "1408"