Born in Philadelphia, he is an American film director and writer known for his work in the horror and science fiction genres. He gained recognition with "Alone in the Dark" (1982), a cult classic slasher film. His notable works include "A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge" (1985) and "The Hidden" (1987), which won the Best Film award at the Avoriaz Fantastic Film Festival. He has also directed several television films and series, contributing to the thriller and action genres.