Raised in Maryland, educated at Univ. Of Penna., BA and MA degrees. Began film/television career at Universal Studios in the 1960's, became the youngest producer in the television business in 1968. One of my directors was a very young Steven Spielberg. Awards include WGA best teleplay, multiple Emmy nominations, Edgar nominations. Have written, produced, and/or directed dozens of movies for theatrical and television release. Directed the pilot for the original MacGyver series. Directed numerous award winning actors/actresses, including Robert Mitchum, Geraldine Paige, Joanne Woodward, Eli Wallach, Louis Gossett jr., Charles Bronson, Ben Johnson, Gillian Anderson, Matt Dillon, Elizabeth McGovern, Oprah Winfrey, Ed Harris.

In 1990, under my initials, J.F. Freedman, I sold my fist novel, Against The Wind, to Viking for one of the largest figures ever paid for a first-time novel. Since then, I have published over a dozen novels, many of them NY Times and other publication best-sellers. I have been published in over twenty countries and dozens of languages.

I currently live on the central California Coast with my wife, award-winning novelist Christine Bell.