Immigrated to USA

Served in US Army

Stage directing debut, "A View From the Bridge" at Gateway Theater in Belleport, Long Island, NY

Worked as production manager on "Deadline" (syndicated)

First screen credit, assistant director on "Mad Dog Coll"

New York stage directing debut, the Off-Broadway production of "The Days and Nights of Beebee Fenstermaker"

Broadway directing debut, "The Subject Was Roses"; nominated for a Tony Award as Director of a Play

Was production manager on "The Pawnbroker", directed by Sidney Lumet

Earned praise and accolades for directing an Off-Broadway revival of "A View From the Bridge"

Film directing debut, "The Subject Was Roses"

Directed Dustin Hoffman in "Who is Harry Kellerman and Why Is He Saying All Those Terrible Things About Me?"; also debut as producer

Nominated for a second Tony Award for directing David Mamet's "American Buffalo"

Reteamed with Hoffman for "Straight Time"

Directed Robert De Niro in "True Confessions"

Again worked with De Niro in "Falling in Love", co-starring Meryl Streep

After decade absence, returned to films directing and producing "Georgia"