Moved with family from Newark to suburban Livingston, New Jersey in the 1960s

Moved to Los Angeles; worked as a messenger at the Writers Guild while writing screenplays

Moved to New York City and enrolled at New York University

Wrote and directed first student short, "Feelings," at NYU

Wrote and directed second student short, "Babysitter," at NYU

Wrote and directed his breakthrough 12-minute student film, "Schatt's Last Shot"

Debuted the short, "How I Became a Leading Artistic Figure in New York City's East Village Cultural Landscape," on NBC's "Saturday Night Live"

Made feature acting debut playing a bit part as the Zany Reporter in Jonathan Demme's "Married to the Mob"

Featured as an interview subject on "SST: Screen, Stage, Television," an ABC documentary special about show business stories

Wrote, directed and starred in debut feature, "Fear, Anxiety, and Depression"

Wrote, produced and directed the indie hit, "Welcome to the Dollhouse"; first shown at Toronto International Film Festival (released theatrically in March 1996)

Made cameo appearance as a bus passenger in James L. Brooks' "As Good As It Gets"

Helmed the controversial, "Happiness," a searing character study of three sisters and the men and women in their lives

Premiered fourth feature, "Storytelling," at the Cannes Film Festival (released theatrically in 2002)

Helmed the unrated film, "Palindromes"

Wrote, produced and directed, "Life During Wartime"