Born in Mt. Carmel, IL; educated at U. of Miami (FL) (B.A.) and Stanford (M.A.). An associate professor of English at New Mexico State University (Las Cruces) from 1966, he had his first play produced in 1974 and in the following year became the school's dramatist-in-residence, rising to chairman of the drama department in 1978. He shared an Academy Award® nomination for the screenplay of CHILDREN OF A LESSER GOD (1986) which he co-adapted from his Tony® Award-winning play and directed for the screen. Other notable screenwriting credits include GOOD GUYS WEAR BLACK (1978), WHEN YOU COMIN' BACK, RED RYDER? (1979, play), OFF BEAT (1986), CLARA'S HEART (1988), CITY OF JOY (1992), HOMAGE (1996, also play The Homage That Follows & producer) and SANTA FE (1997). Medoff directed CHILDREN ON THEIR BIRTHDAYS (2002).  Nominated for Writing (Best Screenplay based on material from another medium) 1986: CHILDREN OF A LESSER GOD (w. Hesper Anderson) 1 nomination