Born in New Britain, CT; educated at Dartmouth and USC Film School, Los Angeles. Successful, versatile writer who made his directorial debut with THE ADVENTURES OF BUCKAROO BANZAI ACROSS THE EIGHTH DIMENSION (1984), a madcap, tongue-in-cheek sci-fi thriller starring Peter Weller and Christopher Lloyd. The film has become something of a cult favorite. Other notable writing credits (alone or in collaboration) include SLITHER (1973), PEEPER (1975), NICKELODEON (1976), INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS (1978), DRACULA (1979), BRUBAKER (1980), ALL NIGHT LONG (1981), HARD FEELINGS (1982), BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA (1986), LATE FOR DINNER (1991, producer & director), NEEDFUL THINGS (1993), HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS (1995) and STEALTH (2005).  Nominated for Writing (Best Screenplay written directly for the screen) 1980: BRUBAKER (w. Arthur Ross) 1 nomination