Born in New York City; educated at Princeton. Following a three-year stint with the Army, he began his career in 1958 as an associate producer on CBS-TV's "Playhouse 90" and later produced and wrote for public television. He wrote the lyrics for the Broadway musical First Impressions (1959). As a screenwriter, he shared the Academy Award for his first film, ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST (1975), then won another Oscar® for MELVIN AND HOWARD (1980). One of Hollywood's highest paid writers (about $1 million per picture), he is often engaged as a script doctor, or rewrite master. Other notable screenwriting credits include THE ROSE (1979), SHOOT THE MOON (1982), SWING SHIFT and THE FLAMINGO KID (both 1984, both uncredited), LITTLE NIKITA (1988), CITY HALL (1996), MEET JOE BLACK (1998) and RIFIFI (2007). His daughter is costume desinger Serena Rathbun, who is married to actor Todd Field. Their daughter is actress Alida P. Field.  Writing (Best Screenplay adapted from other material) 1975: ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST (w. Lawrence Hauben)  Writing (Best Screenplay written directly for the screen) 1980: MELVIN AND HOWARD  Nominated for Writing (Screenplay based on material previously produced or published) 1992: SCENT OF A WOMAN 3 nominations, 2 Awards