Sold Electrolux vacuum cleaners door-to-door and drove a beer truck for Gunther Brewing Company

Served in US Air Force

Editor, NEWS REVIEW, United States Information Agency in Beirut, Lebanon

Publicity director, University of Southern California in Los Angeles

Public relations director, Loyola University of Los Angeles

Published first novel, "Which Way to Mecca, Jack?"

First feature as screenwriter, "The Man From the Diner's Club"

Adapted his novel "John Goldfarb, Please Come Home!" for the screen

Co-wrote screenplay for "A Shot in the Dark" with director Blake Edwards; first of four collaborations

Fourth and last teaming with Edwards, "Darling Lili"

First film as producer (also wrote screenplay and story), "The Exorcist", based on his best-selling novel; won Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay

Feature directorial debut, "Twinkle, Twinkle, 'Killer' Kane/The Ninth Configuration"; also served as producer and screenwriter

Wrote and directed William Peter Blatty's "The Exorcist III"

Provided the source material for "Exorcist: The Beginning" directed by Renny Harlin