Trivia

He discovered Matthew McConaughey in a bar in Austin, Texas and cast him in [linktt0106677] as Wooderson, his first feature film role.

He produced Melvin and Howard (1980) which was nominated for The Golden Globe in 1980 for Best Picture. The film was also the National Society Of Film Critics winner for Best Picture in 1980. Bo Goldman won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for this film, Mary Steenburgen won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, Jason Robards was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Melvin and Howard (1980) was also selected as opening night at the New York Film Festival. Film was also selected for competition at the Venice Film Festival.

He produced Sean Penn's first writing and directing effort on feature film The Indian Runner (1991), which was screened first at the Cannes Film Festival and received a lengthy standing ovation. He had a long standing relationship with Penn as he cast him in the classic film Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982).