A former diamond cutter in his native Belgium, Ulu Grosbard was educated at the University of Chicago, then attended the Yale Drama School. Becoming a stage director in 1957, Grosbard directed many successful Broadway shows. In the early '60s Grosbard journeyed to Hollywood, where he was hired as an assistant director on several productions, and several years later directed his first film - appropriately enough, an adaptation of a hit Broadway play ( The Subject Was Roses (1968)). Grosbard's film career has been sporadic, however, and he has found much more success staging Broadway shows.

Was member of the dramatic jury at the Sundance Film Festival in 1996.Has directed 4 actors in Oscar-nominated performances: Jack Albertson (Best Supporting Actor, The Subject Was Roses (1968)), Patricia Neal (Best Actress, The Subject Was Roses (1968)), Barbara Harris (Best Supporting Actress, Who Is Harry Kellerman and Why Is He Saying Those Terrible Things About Me? (1971)), and Mare Winningham (Best Supporting Actress, Georgia (1995)). Albertson won an Oscar for his performance.