she was born in philadelphia, pennsylvania in 1949. after working for her brother's production company, amblin entertainment, she co-wrote the movie "big" in 1988. for this, she was nominated for an academy award for "best writing of an original screenplay". she was also a co-producer on the movie, along with noted television and movie producer james l. brooks. she was also an uncredited cowriter of the movie "small soldiers". sue spielberg and nancy katz are her sisters.