Photo: Gregg DeGuire © WireImage.com

Born in Tennessee, USA; educated at Duke University (Durham, NC: religion). Writer-producer-director who began as a writer for American television series in the mid-1980s; e.g., "Hunter," "Stingray," "Starman," "J.J. Starbuck" and "Broken Badges." Film credits include BRAVEHEART (1995, written by), THE MAN IN THE IRON MASK (1998, screenplay, producer & director), PEARL HARBOR (2001, written by & exec. prod.), WE WERE SOLDIERS (2002, screenplay, producer & director), and THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS (screenplay & director) and ATLAS SHRUGGED (screenplay) (both scheduled for release in 2008).  Nominated for Achievement in Writing (Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen) 1995: BRAVEHEART 1 nomination