Born and raised in Los Angeles, Roth began his tertiary education at the University of California, Berkeley studying philosophy and creative writing before earning his Bachelor of Arts degree in Cinema at the University of Southern California in 1972. He continued his education at the University of California, Los Angeles enrolling in the Master of Fine Arts program and received his graduate degree in motion picture production in 1975.
Hailing from Los Angeles, Roth embarked on his higher education at the University of California, Berkeley, where he studied philosophy and creative writing before obtaining his Bachelor of Arts degree in Cinema from the University of Southern California in 1972. He furthered his studies at the University of California, Los Angeles, enrolling in the Master of Fine Arts program and graduating with a graduate degree in motion picture production in 1975.