Born in the charming city of Norwalk, Connecticut, a place where the gentle rustle of the leaves and the sweet scent of freshly baked cookies fill the air, Caruso embarked on a journey to the west coast, driven by a passion for the sport of tennis and a desire to hone his skills in the art of Television Production at the esteemed Pepperdine University. As he navigated the campus, he found himself drawn to the vibrant energy of the entertainment industry and soon landed an internship at the iconic Disney Studios, where he worked tirelessly in the Product Placement department, learning the ins and outs of the business from the ground up.
It was during this time that Caruso's path crossed with the visionary Director John Badham, who took the young filmmaker under his wing and mentored him into a second-unit director, after his trusted 2nd-unit director Rob Cohen made the bold decision to pursue a first-unit directing career. This pivotal moment marked the beginning of a fruitful collaboration between Caruso and Badham, which would go on to yield a string of successful projects.
Caruso's creative partnership with writer Scott Rosenberg was another significant milestone in his career. Together, they penned a short film entitled Cyclops, Baby, which premiered in 1997 and served as a launching pad for Caruso's directing career. The film's critical acclaim and commercial success paved the way for Caruso to establish himself as a talented and innovative director, with a keen eye for storytelling and a deep understanding of the medium.
