Grew up in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. Graduated from Yale University, where he received the Curtis Literary Prize for his short fiction. Master's degree from Iowa Writers' Workshop. Published short stories in several literary magazines. Nominated for Oscar® (adapted screenplay) for CHOCOLAT. Other feature film credits include OUT TO SEA (1997), DINOSAUR (2000), THE SHIPPING NEWS (2001), and FLUSHED AWAY (2006, additional screenplay material). Latest produced screenplay is THE WATER HORSE: LEGEND OF THE DEEP (2007), a family film. Jacobs is a charter member of the Writers Co-op, a new company based at Warner Brothers. that allows its member writers to produce and retain creative control over their own screenplays. Currently writing an original screenplay for the Co-op.  Nominated for Achievement in Writing (Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published) 2000: CHOCOLAT 1 nomination