James L Brooks

Born: May 9 1940
Where: North Bergen, New Jersey, USA

The multi-talent writer, director and producer struck box office gold with his big screen debut - Terms of Endearment.

The 1983 romantic comedy, starring Jack Nicholson and Shirley MacLaine, won three Academy Awards, including best picture and best director.

Brooks went on to further directorial success (As Good As It Gets), production accolades (War of the Roses) and writing credits (The Simpsons).

Following an apprenticeship with CBS News, Brooks went to work for documentary maker David L Wolper before switching to non-factual TV.

He began his career as a TV writer in 1960 and went on to help create landmark hits including Taxi, The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Lou Grant.

His nurturing of The Tracey Ullman Show in 1987 led to the global success of the spin-off cartoon The Simpsons.

Brooks began working in film in 1979 when he wrote the screenplay for Starting Over, which he co-produced with Alan J Pakula.

After his debut - Terms of Endearment - he wrote, produced and directed TV comedy drama Broadcast News with William Hurt and Holly Hunter in 1987.

In 1994, Nick Nolte and Joely Richardson starred in the comedy drama I'll Do Anything, written and directed by Brooks.

He encouraged independent director Wes Anderson, acting as executive producer on his 1996 debut Bottle Rocket and also produced Cameron Crowe's Jerry Maguire.

The following year he co-wrote, produced and directed As Good As It Gets, which landed Oscars for Jack Nicholson and Helen Hunt.

In 2004, he wrote and directed the romantic comedy Spanglish, starring Adam Sandler and Spanish newcomer Paz Vega.