Born in Berkeley, California, he developed an early passion for storytelling. He studied film at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, where he met his creative partner, Anna Boden. Together, they co-wrote and directed acclaimed films such as "Half Nelson," which garnered an Oscar nomination for Ryan Gosling. Known for his nuanced storytelling and deep character exploration, he has also ventured into television, directing episodes for popular series like "Billions" and "The Affair."