Born in Brooklyn, New York, he began his career in the entertainment industry as a television actor in the 1970s. He gained recognition for his role on the sitcom "One Day at a Time." Transitioning to directing, he found success in the 1990s and 2000s, directing episodes of popular TV shows such as "Friends" and "Everybody Loves Raymond." He also directed feature films, including "The Santa Clause 2" and "Connie and Carla," showcasing his versatility across comedy genres.