Roger Kumble

Born: 28 May 1966
Where: Harrison, New York, USA

The former playwright scored a box office hit with his feature debut Cruel Intentions.

The contemporary reworking of the French seduction drama Les Liaisons Dangereuses starred Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Philippe.

A college classmate and friend of David Schwimmer, he began his career as a playwright after graduating from Northwestern University in Illinois.

His second play - 1997's D Girl - starred Schwimmer and he went on to collaborate with the Farrelly brothers on the scripts for Dumber & Dumber and There's Something About Mary.

After Cruel Intentions, he directed the straight-to-video sequel before helming the 2002 comedy The Sweetest Thing with Cameron Diaz and Selma Blair.

In 2005, he directed the romantic comedy Just Friends with Ryan Reynolds and Amy Smart.