An American film and television director and producer, he was born on October 26, 1963, in New York City. He began his career in the entertainment industry working for MTV, where he directed the influential series "Yo! MTV Raps." He gained recognition for directing films such as "The Ref," "Beautiful Girls," and "Blow." Known for his ability to blend humor and drama, his work left a lasting impact on 1990s cinema. He passed away on January 13, 2002, at the age of 38.