Lights, Camera, Action: Famous Actors Who Became Successful Directors
One of the reasons why actors love their jobs is because of the great relationships they form with directors. Some actors become so inspired by their work that they decide to step into the role themselves.
Knowing the ins and outs of filmmaking gave these actors a chance to become some of the most talented directors of all time.
Gene Kelly Tapped His Feet All The Way To The Director's Chair
Gene Kelly was praised for his acting, singing, and dancing abilities in films such as Singin' in the Rain and An American in Paris.
Not only did he direct many of his own films, but he continued directing other Hollywood greats. This photo shows him directing Hello Dolly!, which earned him an Academy Award nomination.
Regina King Has Directed TV And Film
Regina King is an Oscar-winning actress known for roles in Boyz n the Hood, Jerry Maguire, and How Stella Got Her Groove Back.
She decided to step behind the camera for shows such as Scandal, and This Is Us. Her feature film directorial debut was for One Night in Miami, which earned her a Golden Globe and a Directors Guild of America nomination.
Warren Beatty Loves Being Hands-On
Warren Beatty is an iconic figure in Hollywood history because he ushered in New Hollywood during the late 1960s.
His work as a director can be seen in films such as Heaven Can Wait and Reds. Beatty is also the only person to be Oscar-nominated for acting, directing, writing, and producing the same film.
Bradley Cooper Brings The Star Power To Directing
- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/MovieStillsDB
- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/MovieStillsDB
Bradley Cooper is one of Hollywood's most famous leading men for roles in Silver Linings Playbook and American Hustle.
Cooper made his directorial debut in A Star is Born, where he played one of the lead roles. He also directed and acted in 2023's Maestro, which is about the life of composer Leonard Bernstein.
Ron Howard Went From Child Star To Acclaimed Director
Those who grew up watching television in the 1960s and 1970s may remember Ron Howard on shows such as The Andy Griffith Show and Happy Days.
He made his directorial debut in 1977 and has gone on to direct some of the most iconic films, including Solo: A Star Wars Story and The Da Vinci Code.
Kevin Costner Was Met With Skepticism For Directing
There were some skeptics who didn't think Kevin Costner could pull off his directorial debut in Dances with Wolves, but he proved them wrong.
Not only was he nominated for a Best Actor Academy Award, but he ended up winning Best Picture and Best Director. He also went on to direct two more films and is currently in production on another.
Olivia Wilde Was Praised For Her Directorial Debut
Some fans may recognize Olivia Wilde as an actress from House, Tron: Legacy, and more, but she has transitioned to being a director.
Many critics were quite pleased when she made her directorial debut in the coming-of-age comedy Booksmart. Her most recent directing credit was for the 2022 film Don't Worry Darling.
Sofia Coppola Followed In Her Father's Footsteps
If her last name sounds familiar, it's because Sofia Coppola is the daughter of The Godfather director Francis Ford Coppola.
She started acting as an infant in her father's films but transitioned to directing in her 20s. Some of her most famous projects include Lost in Translation, The Bling Ring, and The Beguiled.
Ben Stiller Also Works Behind The Lens
Ben Stiller has played many iconic roles in projects such as The Ben Stiller Show, Zoolander, and Tropic Thunder, but some fans may not know that he was also the director.
Stiller has over 20 directing credits, including his work on Severance, Escape at Dannemora, and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.
Jordan Peele Pivoted From Sketch Comedy To Horror
Audiences were introduced to Jordan Peele as a comedy duo with Keegan-Michael Key in their Comedy Central sketch series.
After the show ended, Peele delved into directing and focused on the horror genre. Some of his films include Get Out, Us, and Nope. Peele received four Academy Award nominations for Get Out, including Best Picture, Director, Original Screenplay, and Director.
Tom Hanks Can Add Directing To His Resumé
Tom Hanks is arguably one of the most influential actors in Hollywood history, with roles in Forrest Gump, Apollo 13, and many more.
Since Hanks has been acting for several decades, he's also had the chance to direct. Some of his projects include Larry Crowne, That Thing You Do!, and Band of Brothers.
Jodie Foster Is A Hollywood Pro
Jodie Foster is a child star of the 1960s and 1970s, with her most famous role being opposite Robert De Niro in Taxi Driver.
Her first time directing was for a Stephen King home video in 1985, but she has gone on to direct House of Cards, Orange Is the New Black, Black Mirror, and more.
Jon Favreau Struggled As An Actor Before Becoming A Director
Jon Favreau had been struggling as an actor in the 1990s and early 2000s, so he decided to become a filmmaker.
He is now considered one of the most experienced directors in Hollywood, with credits in Elf, the Iron Man franchise, and The Mandalorian. His directing work has been nominated for Emmys, Directors Guild of America Awards, and more.
Rob Reiner Has Made His Mark On Cinema
Rob Reiner grew up with his father (Carl Reiner) being one of the Hollywood greats. One of Rob's most famous acting roles was Meathead in All in the Family during the 1970s.
Reiner wanted to work behind the camera and has made several successful blockbusters, including When Harry Met Sally and The Princess Bride.
George Clooney Isn't Just An Actor
George Clooney is considered one of the most famous actors in Hollywood. He began acting as a teenager and has landed several leading roles in Batman & Robin, the Ocean's film series, and Argo.
Clooney has also directed quite a few projects, including Leatherheads, The Ides of March, and The Tender Bar.
Greta Gerwig Inched Her Way Into Directing
Some may recognize Greta Gerwig from roles in Jackie and No Strings Attached, but she has been working towards becoming a director for quite a while.
She started by co-writing scripts for Frances Ha and Mistress America. Now, she is responsible for writing and directing Lady Bird, Little Women, and the upcoming Barbie.
Clint Eastwood Has Honed His Directing Process
Fans have been watching Clint Eastwood since the 1950s with roles in Rawhide and the Dirty Harry films. Eastwood has also become one of the most famous directors in Hollywood.
He has directed 45 projects and has starred in most of them as well, including Million Dollar Baby and The Bridges of Madison County.
Ben Affleck Lends His Talents To Directing
Ben Affleck began acting as a child in the 1980s. He has written screenplays with actor Matt Damon for numerous projects, which has led him to the directing chair.
Affleck has directed a handful of films, including Gone Baby Gone, The Town, Argo, and Air. He currently has a couple of movies in development, including the screen adaptation of Keeper of the Lost Cities.
Denzel Washington Appreciates Directors
Denzel Washington started his career in entertainment performing in plays but was able to make the switch to TV and film roles.
He has won and been nominated for several Academy Awards for his work in Malcolm X, Training Day, Glory, and more. Washington is also a director, with his most famous project being 2016's Fences.
Zach Braff Broke Away From His Sitcom Image
Zach Braff rose to fame for playing J.D. on the sitcom Scrubs during the 2000s. While he was praised for that role, Braff wanted to do more than act.
He made his directorial debut in 2004, starring alongside Natalie Portman in Garden State. The film made over $35 million at the box office and was loved by critics.
Halle Berry Took The Plunge And Started Directing
Fans of Halle Berry loved her performance in projects such as the X-Men saga, Monster's Ball, and Things We Lost in the Fire.
She decided to do double duty for 2020's Bruised by playing the lead role and directing. While critics didn't love the film overall, they praised Berry for both her acting performance and her directing style.
John Krasinski Has Caught The Directing Bug
Sitcom fans most likely know John Krasinski for his iconic role as Jim Halpert on The Office. While Krasinski is still acting, he has also stepped behind the camera.
His most famous directorial successes were with the A Quiet Place film franchise. He and his wife, Emily Blunt, star as the leads in the movies as well.
Jonah Hill Makes Directing Personal
Jonah Hill has made quite a career in Hollywood with roles in Superbad, 21 Jump Street, The Wolf of Wall Street, and numerous others.
Some fans may not know that his directing credits are very personal. His directorial debut in Mid90s was a coming-of-age film based on his real life.
Bo Burnham Made One Of The Most Talked About Films
Bo Burnham got his start on YouTube making comedy videos in his bedroom. He was then cast in several film and TV projects, such as Parks and Recreation and The Big Sick.
Critics soon took notice of Burnham in 2018 for writing and directing the coming-of-age comedy Eighth Grade, which earned several Academy Award nominations.
Elizabeth Banks Can Effortlessly Switch Between Acting And Directing
Elizabeth Banks has appeared in several films and TV shows over the course of her acting career; ranging from The Hunger Games franchise to the critically acclaimed musical biopic Love & Mercy.
Directing is something that has come naturally to Banks. She has directed blockbuster films, including Pitch Perfect 2 and Charlie's Angels.
Paul Dano Understands What It Means To Be An Actor
Paul Dano has been acting since he was a child and has been featured in The Fabelmans, Love & Mercy, and Escape at Dannemora.
His love for acting inspired him to step up and try directing. He and his partner Zoe Kazan co-wrote the screenplay for Wildlife, which he directed.
Brie Larson Isn't Just A Marvel Superhero
Brie Larson started acting as a young child and rose to fame for roles in Room, Captain Marvel, and Short Term 12.
She directed her first short film in 2012 but was able to direct a feature film in 2017 called Unicorn Store. Her most recent credit is for a TV series called Growing Up.
Angelina Jolie Uses Passion To Direct
Growing up with parents who acted for a living caused Angelina Jolie to follow a similar career path. She has been in several high-profile projects such as Mr. and Mrs. Smith and Girl, Interrupted.
Jolie is also a humanitarian and has directed films she feels are important to humankind. These include Unbroken and By the Sea.
Michael B. Jordan Is Very New To Directing
Michael B. Jordan is one of the most famous faces in Hollywood, with roles in the Black Panther and Creed film franchises.
Jordan was ready to step into the role of director when making his directorial debut in 2023's Creed III. After appearing in the first two films, Jordan had a firm grasp of the vision for the third installment.
Robert Redford Became An Oscar-Winning Director
Robert Redford was one of the 20th century's most popular leading men after appearing in films such as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and The Way We Were.
He started directing in 1980 for Ordinary People, which earned him the Oscars for Best Picture and Best Director. He later went on to direct several other features, including A River Runs Through It and Quiz Show.
