Raised in Waco and Austin, Texas and Bartlesville, Oklahoma

Worked as journalist in mid-1960s; writings published in NEWSWEEK, TIME and THE NEW YORKER

Was lecturer in philosophy at Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Wrote, directed and acted in short film, "Lanton Mills"

Did uncredited work on the screenplay for "Drive, He Said"

First produced screenplay, "Deadhead Miles"; film was shelved until 1982 release

Reportedly worked on script for "Dirty Harry" under the title "Dead Right"

First film theatrically released with a screenplay by Malick, "Pocket Money", directed by Stuart Rosenberg; also played small role

Feature producing and directing debut, "Badlands"; also scripted and acted in a bit part

Co-wrote script for "The Gravy Train" with Bill Kerr; credited under the pseudonym David Whitney

Wrote and directed "Days of Heaven"; spent two years editing film which was released in 1978

Moved to Paris for several years

Returned to the USA and settled in Texas

Wrote and directed first film in twenty years, "The Thin Red Line"

Helmed the the pre-colonial epic "The New World," a revisionist take on the story of Pocahontas and John Smith, starring Colin Farrell