Born in Los Angeles, CA; educated at Stanford University, Yale University and Harvard University. Author, screenwriter and producer who worked in entertainment law for 17 years before he became one of Hollywood's most sought-after screenwriters. He entered American film in 1985 when he adapted his novel The Emerald Illusion for the screenplay of CODE NAME: EMERALD. Bass counters the notion that Hollywood is peopled by hucksters trying to devise formulas for hauling in hits. "Hollywood is about the business and the art of creating. Some people may not be very good at it, but being formulaic is the best way to go down," Bass says. "Everyone's thrashing around now trying to find the best way not to be formulaic." One way Bass has avoided that pitfall is by assembling a crack team, mostly of women, who help with the research and development of his scripts. And he has successfully collaborated with many other authors, including Al Franken, on WHEN A MAN LOVES A WOMAN (1994, also producer), Amy Tan, on THE JOY LUCK CLUB (1993, also producer), and Terry McMillan, on WAITING TO EXHALE (1995, also producer). This openness to others' input has helped to earn him his reputation for handling complicated, emotional material with unusual understanding and finesse. Other notable screenwriting credits (alone or in collaboration) include BLACK WIDOW and GARDENS OF STONE (both 1987), RAIN MAN (1988), SLEEPING WITH THE ENEMY (1991), DANGEROUS MINDS (1995), MY BEST FRIEND'S WEDDING (1997, also producer), HOW STELLA GOT HER GROOVE BACK, WHAT DREAMS MAY COME and STEPMOM (all 1998, all exec. producer), ENTRAPMENT (also exec. producer) and SNOW FALLING ON CEDARS (also producer) (both 1999), PASSION OF MIND (2000, also producer), THE LAZARUS CHILD (2004, also exec. producer), and MOZART AND THE WHALE (2005, also producer).  Writing - Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen 1988: RAIN MAN (w. Barry Morrow) 1 nomination, 1 Award