Photo: Fred Hayes © WireImage.com

Born in Des Moines, Iowa. Writer-director who made his entry into American film as a 15-year-old actor in SAMMY (1977). Other writing credits (alone or in collaboration) include WHAT'S EATING GILBERT GRAPE (1993, novel & screenplay), A MAP OF THE WORLD (1999) and ABOUT A BOY (2002). Hedges wrote and directed PIECES OF APRIL (2003) and DAN IN REAL LIFE (2007).  Nominated for Achievement in Writing (Adapted Screenplay) 2002: ABOUT A BOY (w. Chris Weitz & Paul Weitz) 1 nomination