Short Biography : Gary Ross is an American filmmaker, screenwriter, and producer known for his work in both family-friendly films and socially conscious dramas. Born on November 3, 1956, in Los Angeles, California, he began his career as a screenwriter, earning acclaim for writing *Big* (1988), a fantasy-comedy starring Tom Hanks that became a major success. Ross made his directorial debut with *Pleasantville* (1998), a visually striking film that explores themes of social change and repression. He gained further recognition for directing *Seabiscuit* (2003), a sports drama that earned multiple Academy Award nominations. In 2012, he directed *The Hunger Games*, the first film in the popular dystopian series based on Suzanne Collins’ novels, which became a global box office hit. Throughout his career, Ross has been praised for his ability to balance entertaining stories with meaningful social commentary. He is also known for his contributions to films like *Dave* (1993) and *The Tale of Despereaux* (2008). Ross continues to be an influential figure in Hollywood as a versatile writer and director.