It makes sense that at a certain point, many actors decide to try their hand at acting and step behind the camera to exercise more creative control. There are many famous actors who made the transition and are now better known for their direction, like Greta Gerwig or John Cassavetes. However, the reverse is also true with performers who reached such a level of stardom that discovering they contributed so much to great works of cinema comes as a surprise. However,having experience as a performer gives a director unique insight into how best to work with actors.
There are plenty ofactors who make even better directors, but these performers are so well-known for their onscreen roles that it comes as a shock to learn they’ve stepped behind the camera. More often than not,these actors were already attached to perform in the projects they directed,giving them even more of a challenge. Though movies are typically lauded for their expert direction, some of these actors got their start directing episodes of their own TV shows and then lending their skills to other series in the wake of their success.
10Marlon Brando
Known for One-Eyed Jacks (1961)
Marlon Brando also stars inOne-Eyed Jacks, and his character, Rio, is aWestern hero more terrifying than the villainwithin the story. One of the only Westerns Brando ever starred in,One-Eyed Jacksis a departure for Brando, but he’s spellbinding as always as Rio and is clearly in conversation with the history of the Western genre.Like many of Brando’s works,One-Eyed Jackssubverted expectations,and though it wasn’t a hit at the time of its release, it’s become a cult classic today.
Only an actor and director who truly loved the art form could put so much into making a project likeOne-Eyed Jacksand tell such a compelling story.
It was the only project Brando directed,and it’s unsurprising that his world-famous acting roles have long overshadowed it. However, when watchingOne-Eyed Jacks, it’s clear that Brando was already aware of his legacy and in conversation with it, as well as the history of cinema. Only an actor and director who truly loved the art form could put so much into making a project likeOne-Eyed Jacksand tell such a compelling story.
One-Eyed Jacks
Cast
One-Eyed Jacks is a 1961 Western film directed by and starring Marlon Brando. The story revolves around Rio, a fugitive seeking revenge against his former partner, Dad Longworth, who betrayed him. Co-starring Karl Malden, the film explores themes of betrayal, honor, and redemption. Notable for its captivating performances and direction, One-Eyed Jacks remains a classic in the Western genre.
9Jodie Foster
Known for Black Mirror
Acting from a young age, Jodie Foster knows film and television inside and out, which comes through in her many stints as the director of multiple TV shows. One of the most famous series she’s worked on,Black Mirror, is an international phenomenon that explores the dark and dystopian aspects of the emergence of new technology in society. Similarly to these themes,most of the projects that Foster seeks out have a strong internal message.
Other shows includeOrange is the New Black,House of Cards, andTales from the Loop, all of which are deeply entrenched in social and cultural commentary. As an actress, Foster recently joined the cast ofTrue Detective: Night Country, which was a return to her roots as a detective in projects likeThe Silence of the Lambs. However,her feature,Little Man Tate, which she also starred in, remains one of her most emotionally compelling works, both on and off camera.
Black Mirror
Black Mirror is a dystopian anthology series that explores the unsettling and profound impact of modern technology on society. Premiering in 2011, it examines various scenarios where technological advancements intersect with human nature, creating thought-provoking narratives about contemporary and future issues.
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8Tim Robbins
Many great works of cinema wouldn’t exist without Tim Robbins.His performances in classics likeThe Player,The Shawshank Redemption, andBull Durhamare vital to the toneand success of these projects. Demonstrating enormous range within these movies, Robbins has shown similar flexibility in his directorial projects. While taking on both movies and TV shows, Robbins' most memorable film isDead Man Walking, the critically acclaimed exploration of a man on death row.
Robbins was praised for his ability to strike an objective but hopeful tone that imbued empathy into the story.
Starring Sean Penn and Susan Sarandon,Dead Man Walkingwas more nuanced than audiences and critics expected,with Robbins even garnering a nomination for Best Director at the Academy Awards. The morality of the death penalty, the prison system, and the man’s innocence are all called into question inDead Man Walking. Robbins was praised for his ability to strike an objective but hopeful tone that imbued empathy into the story.
Dead Man Walking
Dead Man Walking, directed by Tim Robbins, stars Susan Sarandon as Sister Helen Prejean and Sean Penn as death row inmate Matthew Poncelet. Based on true events, the film explores themes of redemption, justice, and the death penalty as Sister Helen forms a relationship with Poncelet while providing him spiritual guidance and navigating complex moral questions.
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7Danny DeVito
Known for Matilda (1996)
Asone of the best adaptations of the seminal children’s author Roald Dahl’s work,Matildais a beloved classic, and few audiences know that it was Danny DeVito behind the camera. While he was simultaneously playing Matilda’s horrible father, Harry, DeVito was crafting the magical world that transported so many young audiences to a place of imagination. The visual style, atmosphere, and performances were all universally praised, and DeVito was behind many of these choices.
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DeVito himself is better known for his many comedic roles in film and television, most notably his long-running performance inIt’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia. WhileMatildais his most recognizable directorial achievement, he was working as a director long before this, and this experience translated to the screen. Though he’s considered a comedic actor,DeVito brings emotional depth to all his work, allowing audiences to see themselves in the characters and get lost in the stories.
Matilda
Matilda is the 1996 live-action movie adaptation of Roald Dahl’s 1988 novel of the same name. It tells the story of Matilda Wormwood (Mara Wilson), a child prodigy who develops telekinetic powers while dealing with her abusive family and her school’s dictatorial principal Miss Trunchbull (Pam Ferris) with the help of her teacher Miss Honey (Embeth Davidtz). Danny DeVito directs the film and plays Matilda’s father, Harry.
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6Jason Bateman
Known for Ozark (2017–2022)
Though Jason Bateman has been in some great comedy movies over the past few years, he’s best known for his television roles. Comedy is where Bateman got his start, butOzarktakes a darker and more dramatic direction than almost any of his other work.As one of the protagonists ofOzark, Bateman had to balance leading the story as the nuanced anti-hero and directing many of the episodes. Throughout his career, Bateman often directed episodes of the series he was in.
While some of Bateman’s most dynamic direction was forOzark, he also stepped behind the camera forArrested Development,The Outsider, and many more projects.
Ozarkseason 5 will not happen, but that’s for the best, as the four seasons of the series told a tightly packed and well-paced story. While some of Bateman’s most dynamic direction was forOzark, he also stepped behind the camera forArrested Development,The Outsider, and many more projects. Though he has less experience with features, Bateman is primed to direct more films in the future. However,he thrives in television because of its ability to track long-form development.
Ozark
Ozark is a crime drama series released in 2017, focusing on a financial adviser who relocates his family from Chicago to the Missouri Ozarks. He must launder $500 million within five years to satisfy a drug boss, navigating the challenges and dangers of his new environment.
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5Ralph Fiennes
Known for Coriolanus (2011)
Like many actors who came before him, Ralph Fiennes tried his hand at directing with an adaptation of a work by William Shakespeare. Also starring in it as the titular character Coriolanus,Fiennes is joined by heavy hitters like Gerard Butler and Brian Cox.Coriolanustakes the traditional story and translates it to a modern setting, focusing on violence and tragedy and how the pointless sacrifice of war is just as arresting no matter when the narrative takes place.
Coriolanushad a strong critical reception, leading Fiennes to continue his trajectory of directionwithThe Invisible WomanandThe White Crow. While none of these films have reached the heights of success as his best work as an actor, like theHarry Pottermovies orThe Grand Budapest Hotel, they illustrate what kinds of stories interest Fiennes as an artist. Fiennes has recently risen to prominence once again for his performance in the religious dramaConclave.
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4Drew Barrymore
Known for Whip It (2009)
Drew Barrymore’s career has taken many turns, and the cult classic she directed in 2009,Whip It, is a lesser-known but interesting addition.Elliot Page stars as Bliss, the protagonist ofWhip It,who joins a roller derby team that changes her life forever. As her feature debut,Whip Itwas also her last movie as a director, as Barrymore has recently pivoted to her smash hit talk show,The Drew Barrymore Show.
Whip Itjoins the ranks of many classic 2000s coming-of-age movies with a phenomenal cast and a joyful narrative that all audiences can relate to.
Whip Itjoins the ranks of many classic 2000s coming-of-age movies with a phenomenal cast and a joyful narrative that all audiences can relate to.Though it received decent praise from critics,Whip Itunderperformed at the box office,but in recent years audiences have begun to rediscover it. In conversation with alt aesthetics and music,Whip Itis a worthy contribution to the genre and should be discussed more when it comes to Barrymore’s career.
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3Keanu Reeves
Known for Man of Tai Chi (2013)
It’s unsurprising that Keanu Reeves directed a take on the action genre when he dipped his toe into directing, as the actor is known as one of the most famous action stars in recent history. However, his work in other genres shouldn’t be overlooked, asReeves was often typecast as a romantic lead and worked within a variety of projectsbefore joining long-running franchises likeThe MatrixandJohn Wick. All of this experience influenced his direction onMan of Tai Chi.
ThoughMan of Tai Chiis the only directorial credit to Reeves' name,it’s a memorable project that too few audiences have seen. Overall, the best part ofMan of Tai Chiis the action sequences since Reeves is so familiar with fight choreography, and these moments all pay tribute to classic martial arts films and these fighting styles. It’s been many years sinceMan of Tai Chi, but Reeves would likely find an audience today thanks to the iconic status of theJohn Wickmovies.
Man of Tai Chi
Man of Tai Chi is a martial arts film directed by Keanu Reeves in his directorial debut. It stars Tiger Hu Chen as a skilled Tai Chi practitioner who is lured into an underground fight club. As he ascends through the ranks, he grapples with the moral implications and the potential corruption of his traditional values while combating ruthless opponents. Reeves also stars as the enigmatic organizer of the fight club.
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2Michael B. Jordan
Known for Creed III (2023)
Though Michael B. Jordan only has one film under his belt as a director, it was a hit and has paved the way for future projects.After starring in the first twoCreedmovies, Jordan decided to try his hand at directingforCreed III, and his familiarity with the franchise went a long way in creating a cohesive but innovative atmosphere. Maintaining momentum in a film universe with the legacy ofCreedandRockyis a lot of pressure, but Jordan proved that he has an undeniable understanding of whatCreedis all about.
Creed 3 Avoided The Mistake That Killed The Rocky Franchise And Set Up A Much Better Sequel Than Rocky IV
Creed III avoided some of the pitfalls of the earlier franchise when Rocky III rocked the franchise and changed it forever with odd new directions.
For the upcomingCreed IV, Jordan will be back to direct and star following the success of the third installment, and audiences can only hope that he’ll branch out into new directorial projects after this. His experience in such a wide variety of genres gives him unique insight into the world of film which would lend itself to any story he sets his sights on. The fact that Jordan is such a celebrated actor also opens the door for him to continue acting and contributing creatively behind the scenes in his works.
Creed III
Creed III marks the directorial debut of Michael B. Jordan, who returns as his Rocky character Adonis Creed. In the sequel to 2018’s Creed II, Adonis’ life is going well both inside and outside the ring. But when Damian Anderson (Jonathan Majors) is released from prison, he makes an enemy of his childhood friend. Tessa Thompson returns as Adonis’ wife, Bianca, along with Phylicia Rashad as his mother, Mary-Anne Creed.
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1Eva Longoria
Known for Flamin' Hot (2023)
Not just an actress and director but also a producer, Eva Longoria has more than made her markon the world of film and television. Most audiences recognize her from her starring role on the dramedy TV showDesperate Housewivesas Gabrielle. Thanks to the fame she achieved from this project, Longoria got her start directing episodes of TV for shows likeJane the VirginandWhy Women Kill. However, she’s transitioned into features in the past few years.
Longoria’s most prominent recent movie,Flamin' Hot, follows the story of the man who invented Flamin' Hot Cheetos,but it is much more than a comedic biopic. Through her work as the director, Longoria tapped into the emotional core of the story, especially with the focus on the protagonist, Richard Montañez. As a creative in the film industry, Longoria has established a strong future for her as a director, and it will be exciting to see what projects she tackles next.
Flamin' Hot
Flamin' Hot is a biography/drama film based on the bookA Boy, A Burrito and a Cookie: from Janitor to Executiveby Richard Montanez. The film focuses on the unbelievable story of a Frito Lay Janitor who brought Flamin' Hot Cheetos to the masses and permanently changed the food industry worldwide.
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