Born in Hong Kong in 1949 and lived there until age 17

Traveled to the US to study painting, filmmaking, and TV production

Returned to Hong Kong after graduation to work in film and TV

Returned to California and settled in San Francisco's Chinatown; became involved in community activism

Made the short film, "A Man, a Woman, and a Killer"

Feature directing, co-writing, producing and editing debut (also narrator), "Chan is Missing"

First feature without an Asian subject, "Slamdance"

Returned to Hong Kong to make "Life is Cheap...But Toilet Paper is Expensive"

Directed his first major Hollywood feature, "The Joy Luck Club"

With Francis Ford Coppola and Tom Luddy, formed production company, Chrome Dragon

First feature to be produced through Chrome Dragon, "Lanai-Loa", starring Angus MacFadyen

Wrote and directed "Chinese Box"

Helmed the mother-daughter themed drama "Anywhere But Here"

Produced, directed and contributed to the story of the erotic romance "Center of the World"

Helmed the Cinderella-like fable "Maid In Manhattan," starring Jennifer Lopez and Ralph Fiennes

Directed Annasophia Robb and Jeff Daniels in the family drama "Because of Winn-Dixie" based on the novel by Kate DiCamillo

Directed Queen Latifah in the comedy "Last Holiday"