Triumphs in Directing
Thriving as a director, he snagged a Best Director Oscar for his first film, Ordinary People, which also clinched Best Picture, marking him as one of only five debut directors to win.

His 1994 movie Quiz Show earned him another Best Director nod and a Best Picture nomination. While none of his subsequent films vied for Best Picture, they often won awards in various categories, like The Milagro Beanfield War nabbing Best Original Score.