Born Naoimi Achs in New York City; educated at Barnard College (BA: English) and Columbia University (MA: developmental psychology). She created and wrote the TV mini-series "The Best of Families" (1977), wrote VIOLETS ARE BLUE... (1986), A DANGEROUS WOMAN (1993, also producer) and LOSING ISAIAH (1995, also producer), and was executive producer for HOMEGROWN (1998). She was also executive producer of RUNNING ON EMPTY (1988). Other notable writing credits include BEE SEASON (2005) and GRACE (scheduled for 2008). She is a former Board member of the Writers Guild of America (West) and is a current member of the WGAw Screenwriters Council. Her first husband was American historian Eric Foner. Her second husband is TV director Stephen Gyllenhaal. Their children are actors Maggie Gyllenhaal (b. 1977) and Jake Gyllenhaal (b. 1980).  Nominated for Writing - Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen 1988: RUNNING ON EMPTY 1 nomination