Donal Lardner Ward，Great-grandson of writer/humorist Ring Lardner, grand-nephew of Academy Award winning screenwriter and Hollywood Ten member Ring Lardner Jr. Father was co-founder of New York's Elaine's restaurant. Broke through in 1994 with the $100,000 feature My Life's in Turnaround (1993). Has dated Samantha Mathis, Michelle Williams and Elisa Donovan.