Phil Alden Robinson

Born: 1 March 1950
Where: Long Island, New York

Robinson began writing and directing training films for the U.S. Air Force before he was hired as a newsreader in Schenectady, New York State.

He then broke into TV and wrote two episodes for Trapper John, M.D.

His first screenplay to go into production was All of Me in 1984, although it wasn't released.

But the following year his next project Rhinestone was made and released, and Robinson was a fully fledge Hollywood director.

In 1989 he wrote the screenplay for and directed the Oscar-nominated Best Picture Field of Dreams, and his next directorial project, Sneakers, was also well received.

In 1992 Robinson accompanied the United Nations High Commission for Refugees to Bosnia and Somalia, where he made five documentaries.

More recently he helmed an episode of the WWII TV drama Band of Brothers, and directed The Sum of All Fears, which starred Ben Affleck.