His critically acclaimed play "Rabbit Hole" won the 2007 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
After signing on as a writer for The Amazing Spider-Man (2012), he became the second Pulitzer winner to take on writing a Spiderman screenplay. Michael Chabon, who won the award for his novel, "The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay", in 2001 co-wrote Spider-Man 2 (2004).
Nominated for two 2009 Tony Awards (Best Musical and Best Book for a Musical) for "Shrek - The Musical" written (Book and Lyrics) in collaboration with Jeanine Tesori who composed the music.
His play, "Good People," at the Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago, Illinois was awarded the 2013 Equity Joseph Jefferson Award for Large Play Production.
Has provided the screenplay for both films on which Nicole Kidman has served as both leading lady and producer; Rabbit Hole (2010) and The Family Fang (2015). Following their first collaboration, Kidman personally handpicked him to pen the adaptation of Kevin Wilson's novel "The Family Fang".
Attended his local Boys and Girls Club when he was young.