He is best known for directing School Ties, which includes early film roles in the careers of Brendan Fraser, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Cole Hauser and Chris O'Donnell.
Robert Mandel was born in Oakland, California, but grew up in Queens, New York, where he developed an early interest in theater.
[citation needed] Mandel attended Bucknell University before pursuing stage directing at Manhattan Theatre Club and The Public Theater in the early 1970s.
Mandel was initially hired to direct Carrie 2: Say You're Sorry but quickly left the production over "creative differences."
In addition to his work in film and television, Mandel served as the dean of AFI Conservatory for nine years, from 2005 to 2014.