Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris © WireImage.com

Born in New York City; educated at Columbia University (New York City) and UCLA (Los Angeles). Sporadic penner of high profile vehicles who, in a career almost 35 years, has seen several screenplays and telefilms produced, although sometimes uncredited for his efforts. Known both for his original screenplays and adaptations, it was working in the latter mode that he penned the script for FORREST GUMP (1994), the surprise blockbuster and cultural phenomenon of 1994. Roth's career began promisingly enough as winner of the prestigious Samuel Goldwyn Screenwriting Award at UCLA. After writing documentaries, his first produced theatrical script was the TV movie THE STRANGERS IN 7A (1972). The movie starred Andy Griffith and Ida Lupino as a building super and his wife who are held hostage by a sadistic would-be bank robber and his accomplices. Prospects looked promising when Robert Mulligan directed and co-produced Roth's first feature screenplay, THE NICKEL RIDE (1975), which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. The gritty take on a minor LA crime figure garnered an uneven reception. Roth was then brought on-board to develop the AIRPORT (1970) sequel, THE CONCORDE -- AIRPORT '79 (1979), a gerry-rigged vehicle which took a nose-dive. Eight years later his original screenplay for the thriller SUSPECT (1987) cast Cher as a investigative lawyer trying to defend a mute Liam Neeson with the help of milk lobbyist Dennis Quaid. Next, Roth co-wrote with Billy Crystal MEMORIES OF ME (1988), a father and son reunion tale that put Henry Winkler in the director's chair. The film's mawkish goings-on were strictly for fans of co-stars Crystal and Alan King. Uncredited efforts during this period included work on the scripts of THE DROWNING POOL (1974), THE ONION FIELD (1979), and WOLFEN (1981). Roth provided the story and co-wrote the romantic drama MR. JONES (1993) with Michael Cristofer. Lena Olin plays an unconventional analyst who falls in love with the bipolar Richard Gere. But all bets were off when Roth was handed the plum assignment of his career, the adaptation of Winston Groom's forgotten novel Forrest Gump. The saga of a retarded Every-Joe who seems to pass effortlessly through the social and political high points of the late 20th century proved a surprise box office and critical hit. The movie gave Roth his first Oscar®. Other writing credits for the screen (alone or in collaboration) include THE POSTMAN (1997), THE HORSE WHISPERER (1998), THE INSIDER (1999), ALI (2001), MUNICH (2005), THE GOOD SHEPHERD (2006), LUCKY YOU (2007), THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON and A COLD CASE (both 2008), and SHANTARAM (scheduled for release in 2009).  Best Achievement in Writing - Best Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published 1994: FORREST GUMP  Nominated for Achievement in Writing - Best Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published 1999: THE INSIDER (w. Michael Mann) 2 nominations, 1 Award