Pierson won the Oscar for his script to Dog Day Afternoon, and was also Oscar-nominated for Cool Hand Luke, adapted with Donn Pearce from Pearce's novel of the same name, and Cat Ballou, which he adapted with Walter Newman from Roy Chanslor's novel.

Among his other film credits is the Barbra Streisand-Kris Kristofferson remake of A Star Is Born, which he directed and contributed to the screenplay.