An American film and television director, he is renowned for his work in the horror genre. He gained prominence with early entries in the "Friday the 13th" series, directing the second and third installments. His filmography includes hits like "Halloween H20: 20 Years Later" and the comedy-horror "Lake Placid." Beyond horror, he directed family-friendly films like "Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken." He has also worked extensively in TV, directing episodes for popular series such as "Dawson's Creek" and "Smallville."