Born in Kentucky, USA. Writer and director who entered American film in 1972 (KANSAS CITY BOMBER). Other notable writing credits (alone or in collaboration) include THE LAUGHING POLICEMAN (1973), THE WHITE DAWN (1974), W.W. AND THE DIXIE DANCEKINGS (1975), HOOPER (1978), COAL MINER'S DAUGHTER (1980), THE RIVER RAT (1984, also director), EVERYBODY'S ALL-AMERICAN (1988) and BLESS THE CHILD (2000). He also wrote several teleplays for made-for-TV movies, including "Delta County, U.S.A." (1977), "Truman" (1995), "Tuesdays with Morrie" (1999), "A Mother's Fight for Justice" (2001) and "The Reagans" (2003).  Nominated for Writing (Best Screenplay based on material from another medium) 1980: COAL MINER'S DAUGHTER 1 nomination