Tod Williams

Born: September 27 1968
Where: New York, USA

The former journalist made his big screen directorial debut in 1997 with the comedy drama The Adventures of Sebastian Cole.

The son of a dancer and an architect, Williams studied painting and literature at Bard College and Columbia University.

He went on to become a stringer for The New York Times Los Angeles bureau before attending the American Film Institute.

In 1997, he wrote and directed The Adventures of Sebastian Cole, a story about a 17-year-old underachiever which Williams admitted had no hook.

The movie, which was also selected for main competition at the Sundance Film Festival, earned nominations for two Independent Spirit Awards.

Williams was married to former Bond girl Famke Janssen but is now married to actress Gretchen Mol.

In 2004, he adapted the John Irving novel A Widow For One Year as The Door in the Floor, starring Kim Basinger and Jeff Bridges.

Former Los Angeles-based stringer for The New York Times.