James Foley is an American director and screenwriter born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1953. His career took off in the 1980s, initially gaining recognition for directing highly successful music videos for Madonna, including "Papa Don't Preach" and "Live to Tell". He made his feature film debut with *Reckless* (1984), but earned his first critical acclaim with the noir film *At Close Range* (1986), which was entered into competition at the Berlin Film Festival. His most acclaimed film remains *Glengarry Glen Ross* (1992), an adaptation of David Mamet's play, celebrated for the intense performances of its star-studded cast. His filmography, characterized by thrillers and psychological dramas, also includes the cult film *Fear* (1996), *Confidence* (2003), and the commercial blockbusters *Fifty Shades Darker* (2017) and *Fifty Shades Freed* (2018). In television, he has directed numerous episodes of prestigious series such as *House of Cards* and *Billions*, demonstrating his versatility and distinctive visual style.