After graduating she joined New World Pictures as executive assistant to Roger Corman, the company president. She worked her way up through various administrative positions and eventually became involved in producton. She formed her own production company, Pacific Western Productions, in 1982 and went on to produce a number of box-office hits including The Terminator (1984), Aliens (1986), and The Abyss (1989). All were directed by James Cameron, whom she later married. They were divorced after a few years.


Has a child with Brian De Palma: Lolita, born September 19, 1991. Is close friends with Martha Coolidge and goes to her ranch sometimes to ride the horses she keeps there. Graduated from Stanford University. Was member of the dramatic jury at the Sundance Film Festival in 1988.