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.
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There are plenty of actors 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.
10 Marlon Brando
Known for One-Eyed Jacks (1961)
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Marlon Brando also stars in One-Eyed Jacks, and his character, Rio, is a Western hero more terrifying than the villain within the story. One of the only Westerns Brando ever starred in, One-Eyed Jacks is 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 Jacks subverted 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 like
One-Eyed Jacks
and 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 watching One-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 like One-Eyed Jacks and tell such a compelling story.
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One-Eyed Jacks Western
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.
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*Availability in US Director Marlon Brando Release Date March 30, 1961 Studio(s) Pennebaker Productions Writers Guy Trosper , Calder Willingham Cast Marlon Brando , Karl Malden , Katy Jurado , Ben Johnson , Pina Pellicer Runtime 141 Minutes Expand
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One-Eyed Jacks (1961) |
9 Jodie Foster
Known for Black Mirror
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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 include Orange is the New Black, House of Cards, and Tales from the Loop, all of which are deeply entrenched in social and cultural commentary. As an actress, Foster recently joined the cast of True Detective: Night Country, which was a return to her roots as a detective in projects like The 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.
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7.6/10 Black Mirror AnthologyDramaScience FictionThriller
Black Mirror is a sci-fi anthology TV series that shows the dark side of life and technology. The series was created by Charlie Brooker, with the first season premiering on British Channel 4 in 2011. Black Mirror is notable for its dark, satirical edge that provides social commentary, particularly in continuously evolving technology. Each episode has a different cast, location, and even reality as it further explores the themes of technological advancement and its potential positives and repercussions of overreliance on it.
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*Availability in US Cast Bryce Dallas Howard , Hayley Atwell , Anthony Mackie Release Date December 4, 2011 Seasons 5 Streaming Service(s) Netflix Writers Charlie Brooker , Kanak Huq , Jesse Armstrong , Rashida Jones , Michael Schur , William Bridges Directors Charlie Brooker Showrunner Charlie Brooker Expand
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Title |
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Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
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Black Mirror (2011–Present) |
83% |
80% |
8 Tim Robbins
Known for Dead Man Walking (1995)
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Many great works of cinema wouldn’t exist without Tim Robbins. His performances in classics like The Player, The Shawshank Redemption, and Bull Durham are vital to the tone and 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 is Dead Man Walking, the critically acclaimed exploration of a man on death row.
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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 Walking was 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 in Dead Man Walking. Robbins was praised for his ability to strike an objective but hopeful tone that imbued empathy into the story.
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Dead Man Walking RDramaCrime
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.
Director Tim Robbins Release Date February 2, 1996 Writers Helen Prejean , Tim Robbins Cast Susan Sarandon , Sean Penn , Robert Prosky , Raymond J. Barry , R. Lee Ermey , Celia Weston , Lois Smith , Scott Wilson
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Dead Man Walking (1995) |
95% |
86% |
7 Danny DeVito
Known for Matilda (1996)
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As one of the best adaptations of the seminal children’s author Roald Dahl’s work, Matilda is 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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Related 10 Best Live-Action Children’s Fantasy Movies
Though animated movies are often cited as the best works of the fantasy genre for kids, there are many live-action films that are incredible.
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DeVito himself is better known for his many comedic roles in film and television, most notably his long-running performance in It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia. While Matilda is 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.
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8/10 Matilda rFamilyComedy
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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*Availability in US Director Danny DeVito Release Date June 28, 1996 Studio(s) Sony Writers Robin Swicord Cast Danny DeVito , Mara Wilson , Pam Ferris Runtime 98minutes Expand
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Title |
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Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
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Matilda (1996) |
92% |
73% |
6 Jason Bateman
Known for Ozark (2017–2022)
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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, but Ozark takes a darker and more dramatic direction than almost any of his other work. As one of the protagonists of Ozark, 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.
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While some of Bateman’s most dynamic direction was for
Ozark
, he also stepped behind the camera for
Arrested Development
,
The Outsider
, and many more projects.
Ozark season 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 for Ozark, he also stepped behind the camera for Arrested 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.
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7/10 Ozark ThrillerDramaCrime
Ozark is a drama-thriller that follows the Byrde family’s journey from their everyday, suburban Chicago life to their dangerous criminal enterprise in the Ozarks, Missouri. When financial advisor Marty Byrde sees a money-laundering scheme for a prolific Mexican drug cartel go wrong, he is forced to launder $500 million in five years to keep himself and his family safe. The series explores capitalism, family dynamics, and survival through the eyes of (anything but) ordinary Americans.
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*Availability in US Cast Julia Garner , Katrina Lenk , Damian Young , Felix Solis , Joseph Sikora , Sofia Hublitz , John Bedford Lloyd , Charlie Tahan , Jessica Frances Dukes , Ali Stroker , Lisa Emery , Adam Rothenberg , Laura Linney , Skylar Gaertner , CC Castillo , Jason Bateman , Bruno Bichir , Alfonso Herrera Release Date July 21, 2017 Seasons 4 Streaming Service(s) Netflix Writers Bill Dubuque Directors Bill Dubuque Showrunner Bill Dubuque Expand
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Ozark (2017–2022) |
82% |
85% |
5 Ralph Fiennes
Known for Coriolanus (2011)
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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.Coriolanus takes 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.
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Coriolanus had a strong critical reception, leading Fiennes to continue his trajectory of direction with The Invisible Woman and The White Crow. While none of these films have reached the heights of success as his best work as an actor, like the Harry Potter movies or The 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 drama Conclave.
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|
Coriolanus (2011) |
92% |
58% |
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4 Drew Barrymore
Known for Whip It (2009)
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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 of Whip It, who joins a roller derby team that changes her life forever. As her feature debut, Whip It was also her last movie as a director, as Barrymore has recently pivoted to her smash hit talk show, The Drew Barrymore Show.
Whip It
joins the ranks of many classic 2000s coming-of-age movies with a phenomenal cast and a joyful narrative that all audiences can relate to.
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Whip It joins 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 It underperformed at the box office, but in recent years audiences have begun to rediscover it. In conversation with alt aesthetics and music, Whip It is a worthy contribution to the genre and should be discussed more when it comes to Barrymore’s career.
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Whip It (2009) |
86% |
74% |
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3 Keanu Reeves
Known for Man of Tai Chi (2013)
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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, as Reeves was often typecast as a romantic lead and worked within a variety of projects before joining long-running franchises like The Matrix and John Wick. All of this experience influenced his direction on Man of Tai Chi.
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Though Man of Tai Chi is the only directorial credit to Reeves’ name, it’s a memorable project that too few audiences have seen. Overall, the best part of Man of Tai Chi is 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 since Man of Tai Chi, but Reeves would likely find an audience today thanks to the iconic status of the John Wick movies.
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8/10 Man of Tai Chi RActionDrama
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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*Availability in US Director Keanu Reeves Release Date July 4, 2013 Studio(s) China Film Group Corporation , Universal Pictures , Dalian Wanda Group , Company Films , Village Roadshow Pictures Asia , China Film Group Writers Michael G. Cooney Cast Tiger Hu Chen , Keanu Reeves , Karen Mok Man-Wai , Hai Yu , Ye Qing Runtime 105 Minutes Expand
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|
Man of Tai Chi (2013) |
71% |
50% |
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2 Michael B. Jordan
Known for Creed III (2023)
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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 two Creed movies, Jordan decided to try his hand at directing for Creed I II, 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 of Creed and Rocky is a lot of pressure, but Jordan proved that he has an undeniable understanding of what Creed is all about.
Related 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.
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For the upcoming Creed 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.
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9/10 Creed III PG-13ActionDramaSports
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.
Director Michael B. Jordan Release Date March 3, 2023 Studio(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Writers Zach Baylin , Keenan Coogler Cast Michael B. Jordan , Jonathan Majors , Phylicia Rashad , Tessa Thompson Runtime 117 Minutes Franchise(s) Rocky , Creed Expand
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|
Creed III (2023) |
89% |
95% |
1 Eva Longoria
Known for Flamin’ Hot (2023)
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Not just an actress and director but also a producer, Eva Longoria has more than made her mark on the world of film and television. Most audiences recognize her from her starring role on the dramedy TV show Desperate Housewives as Gabrielle. Thanks to the fame she achieved from this project, Longoria got her start directing episodes of TV for shows like Jane the Virgin and Why Women Kill. However, she’s transitioned into features in the past few years.
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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 PG-13BiographyDrama
Flamin’ Hot is a biography/drama film based on the book A Boy, A Burrito and a Cookie: from Janitor to Executive by 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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*Availability in US Director Eva Longoria Release Date June 9, 2023 Studio(s) Searchlight Pictures , Franklin Entertainment Writers Lewis Colick , Linda Yvette Chávez Cast Jesse Garcia , Annie Gonzalez , Emilio Rivera , Dennis Haysbert , Matt Walsh , Tony Shalhoub Runtime 99 minutes Expand
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
Flamin’ Hot (2023) |
67% |
87% |