Has acquired two master's degrees, one from UCLA in Los Angeles,
California, and one from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.
Has a typewriter from legendary comedian Ernie Kovacs, which he considers his most valuable possession.
Joined the UCLA faculty in 1979 as a professor in screenwriting. In 1988, he was named Chairman of the department. He retired from full-time teaching in 2000, but continued teaching one class every winter quarter from 2001-2015.
Prior to being a writer in Hollywood, he worked in programming and production for numerous studios including ABC, NBC, Disney, Paramount and Warner Bros.