An accomplished American film and television director, he gained recognition for his work on the science fiction comedy "Galaxy Quest" (1999), which became a cult classic. He began his career directing short films, earning an Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film with "The Appointments of Dennis Jennings" (1988). He has directed episodes for popular TV series such as "Monk" and "The Good Wife," and his filmography includes features like "Fun with Dick and Jane" (2005) and "RED 2" (2013).