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.
A native Angeleno, Roth pursued higher learning at the University of California, Berkeley, where he explored philosophy and creative writing before earning his Bachelor's degree in Cinema from the University of Southern California in 1972. He then expanded his academic horizons at the University of California, Los Angeles, where he earned a Master's degree in Fine Arts in motion picture production in 1975.