Raised in Louisville, Kentucky

While attending college in Massachusetts, began catalog company called Fallen Empire Inc; company eventually failed

Moved to NYC

Arrested on felony drug charges for possession of cocaine and heroin in October; later pleaded guilty to lesser charges of drug possession; sentenced to conditional discharge

Settled in L.A.

With Michael R Perry, served as story editor and teleplay writer for the short-lived CBS series "American Gothic"

Was on writing staff of the ABC drama "NYPD Blue"; shared Emmy award for the "Where's Swaldo?" episode; Perry also contributed to award-winning script

Served as executive story editor and occasional writer on the ABC drama series "The Practice"; continued collaboration with Michael R Perry

Served as co-producer on the extremely short-lived (two episode) run of the NBC series "Sleepwalkers"; also co-wrote episodes

Feature film debut as screenwriter, "Rules of Engagement"

Penned the screenplay for "Traffic", based on the British miniseries "Traffick"; as he told The New York Times (February 5, 2000), some aspects of the film were based on his own experiences as a drug addict; received Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay

Made feature directorial debut with "Abandon"; also scripted

Helmed the geopolitical thriller "Syriana," based on the real-life memoirs of CIA agent Robert Baer and starring George Clooney and Matt Damon; earned an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay