Born in Brooklyn, New York, this American film director, actor, and screenwriter was known for his work in cult and independent cinema. He studied at UCLA and made his directorial debut with the short film "The Secret Cinema" in 1968. Achieving cult status with "Death Race 2000" in 1975, he often infused his films with dark humor and satire. He also directed "Eating Raoul" in 1982, which became a cult classic. Throughout his career, he had numerous acting roles, often appearing in his own films.