Known for writing such iconic films as "American Graffiti" from 1973, "Lucky Lady" from 1975, "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" from 1984, and "Radioland Murders" from 1994.
He went to the USC School of Cinematic Arts, where he met George Lucas. He joined Francis Ford Coppola's group of filmmakers, American Zoetrope.
He was an uncredited screenwriter on the original "Star Wars," released in 1977.
He married Gloria Katz in November 1969. She helped him write many of his screenplays.
He directed the disastrous 1986 science-fiction comedy film, "Howard the Duck," starring Tim Robbins.
