Ross is a contemporary fableist, combining sheer entertainment with intriguing questions about contemporary life. As a screenwriter he has spun such tales as BIG (1988), the poignantly hilarious story of a child who gets the opportunity to try out living as a 30 year-old man; and DAVE (1993), a comic yam about an ordinary guy who finds himself standing in for the President of the United States. In each of Ross' features, things happen to his characters that stretch reality and enlarge both their hearts and their points-of-view. Born in Los Angeles, the son of screenwriter Arthur A. Ross, Gary Ross was writing short plays and short stories by the 4th grade. He wrote a short novel in high school, then later at the University of Pennsylvania, he dabbled in theatre directing. He helped teach a course in Film and Social History, spent summers studying acting with Stella Adler, interned on Capitol Hill and became involved in national political issues, all while majoring in English. In the 1980's, Ross found himself gravitating back towards motion pictures. He began writing a social satire wrapped up in a fantastical cloak - a fairy tale about a little boy who dreams of getting to live a grown-up life and is astonished at the consequences of having his dream come true. That tale became BIG, directed by Penny Marshall and starring Tom Hanks in the role that propelled him to mega-stardom. Ross and his partner Ann Spielberg were honored with an Academy Award® nomination for Best Screenplay as well as a Writers Guild Award nomination. The story was later turned into a Broadway musical. Ross went on to write DAVE (1993), the hit White House comedy that won actor Kevin Kline and director Ivan Reitman critical acclaim. Again the story was one in which fantastical circumstances placed an ordinary man inside the White House - where themes ranging from political equity and individuality to the need for love played out against a series of comic adventures. Ross was no stranger to the political milieu explored in DAVE. Throughout his career, he has remained active in local and national politics. He has written speeches for numerous political luminaries, including President Clinton, and attended the Democratic National Convention as a delegate. He also recently served as President of the Los Angeles Library Commission, a position that influenced the catalytic role of the library in PLEASANTVILLE (1998). Again, Ross garnered a Best Screenplay Oscar® nomination and a Writer's Guild Award nomination. He also won the Paul Selvin Award from the Writer's Guild of America. Other credits include MR. BASEBALL (1992, screenplay), LASSIE (1994, written by), TRIAL AND ERROR (1997, producer), PLEASANTVILLE (1998, written by, producer & director), SEABISCUIT (2003, screenplay, producer & director), and THE TALE OF DESPEREAUX (writer, producer & director), THE CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON (writer & producer), THE FREE STATE OF JONES (writer, producer & director) and TOKYO SUCKERPUNCH (director) (all scheduled or announced for 2008).  Nominated for Writing - Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen 1988: BIG (w. Anne Spielberg)  Nominated for Writing - Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen 1993: DAVE  Nominated for Best Picture 2003: SEABISCUIT - Producer at Universal, DreamWorks/Spyglass (w. Kathleen Kennedy & Frank Marshall)  Nominated for Writing (Adapted Screenplay) 2003: SEABISCUIT 4 nominations