David Dobkin

Born: 1969
Where: Washington DC, USA

The director was catapulted onto the film-making A-list with the 2005 comedy Wedding Crashers.

He began his film career as an assistant on John Schlesinger's The Believer before studying at film school in New York.

Moving to Los Angeles on graduation, he was soon shooting videos for the likes of Tupac Shakur and Sonic Youth.

He also directed commercials for clients including Heineken and Coors Light.

Clay Pigeons - a black comedy starring Vince Vaughn and Joaquin Phoenix - marked his feature debut in 1998.

(it was also the first film made by Ridley and Tony Scott's company Scott Free).

His first mainstream feature was Shanghai Knights, the sequel to Shanghai Noon reteaming Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson.

In 2005, Wedding Crashers saw Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson as a couple of rogue romeos who gatecrash weddings and woo the women.