Wissenswertes

Quite a few of the characters on Everwood (2002) (especially minor ones) have the names of his friends and/or ex-teachers. In the episode "We Hold these Truths", the orchestra conductor is named "Mr. Mendick" after his English/drama teacher in high school.

Attended and graduated from Northwestern University where he studied playwriting. He endowed a dramatic writing professorship at the university with a $25 million donation.

He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Television at 6420 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on May 23, 2022 (the day before his 50th birthday). Ryan Murphy, Sarah Schechter and Peter Roth were guest speakers at the ceremony.

Attended and graduated from Rye High School in Rye, New York (1989).

Remains good friends with The Vampire Diaries (2009) writer Brian Young. (2013)