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Mark L. Lester (born November 26, 1946) is an American writer, producer, and director, primarily of action films. After his debut in 1970 with the film Just Can't Reach, he went on to make his mark with such memorable drive-in fare as Truck Stop Women and Bobbie Jo and the Outlaw. In 1979, he jumped on the disco bandwagon with Roller Boogie starring Linda Blair, to modest success. He then made the exploitation thriller Class of 1984, which was a source of controversy at the time of release, but has since gained cult status. He entered the mainstream in 1984 with Stephen King's Firestarter... MORE

Mark L. Lester (born November 26, 1946) is an American writer, producer, and director, primarily of action films. After his debut in 1970 with the film Just Can't Reach, he went on to make his mark with such memorable drive-in fare as Truck Stop Women and Bobbie Jo and the Outlaw. In 1979, he jumped on the disco bandwagon with Roller Boogie starring Linda Blair, to modest success. He then made the exploitation thriller Class of 1984, which was a source of controversy at the time of release, but has since gained cult status. He entered the mainstream in 1984 with Stephen King's Firestarter and had his biggest hit in 1985 with Commando, an Arnold Schwarzenegger action film that grossed over $57 million worldwide. He also directed and produced his sole comedy, Armed & Dangerous starring Meg Ryan and John Candy in 1986. In 1989 he directed Class of 1999, a loose sequel to Class of 1984. Mark Lester married Dana Dubovsky, who he now works with and had two children, Jason and Justin. He also has a daughter, Janessa (James), who is a musician and singer-songwriter, from a prior relationship. He also founded American World Pictures, an independent production and distribution company. LESS