An American producer, writer, and director, born in New York State, United States. He studied at Stanford University in California. He was a real estate developer and was also involved in political campaigns. He is best known for writing the comedy film Kangaroo Jack in 2003 and also producing the animated film The Polar Express, starring Tom Hanks. He was a friend of the late US President Bill Clinton and provided his private plane on a 2009 mission to North Korea to release two American journalists.