10 actors who successfully turned directors

Over the years, we have seen many talented actors turn directors. Their experience of being in front of the camera gives them an edge when it comes to understanding fellow actors, a quality leading directors boast of. 2022 sees yet another actor don the director’s hat. Step Up star actor Channing Tatum goes behind the camera and makes his directorial debut with his latest release Dog. We take a look at 5 actors who also made their mark as successful movie directors.

John Krasinski

With Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, John Krasinski proved that he is more than just everyone’s favourite paper salesman. John started directing in 2009 with the comedy drama Brief Interviews with Hideous Men. However, A Quiet Place is when his talent as a director really shone through. His efforts paid off as the film became a major box office hit, and John truly got the attention he deserved. Watch A Quiet Place and its sequel on Amazon Prime Video, Google Play Movies and Apple iTunes. The first part is also available to stream on Netflix.

Halle Berry

Halle Berry holds the prestigious title of being the first African American woman to win the Oscar for Best Actress. Her filmography comprises a long list of varying roles; including Storm in the X-Men series and the Bond girl Jinx in Die Another Day. In 2020, Halle made her directorial debut with the sports drama Bruised, depicting the life of a UFC fighter who attempts to reconnect with her son. Bruised received overall positive reviews for both Halle’s direction and acting. The movie won several accolades, including Satellite Awards’ Best First Feature. You can stream Bruised on Netflix.

Bradley Cooper

This Hollywood heartthrob has more to boast of than just good looks and comic timing. In 2018, he made his directorial debut with A Star is Born. What’s even more impressive is that his first film as a director was a roaring success; it received 8 Oscar nominations along with umpteen other accolades. You can watch the 2018 A Star Is Born film on Netflix, Hungama Play, Google Play Movies and Apple iTunes.

Regina King

Regina is the recipient of several prestigious accolades like the Oscars, Golden Globes, and Emmys, to name a few. She has also been placed in Time Magazine’s 100 most Influential People in the World. Her directorial debut One Night in Miami was critically acclaimed, and Regina received immense praise as a director. Go, watch One Night in Miami on Amazon Prime Video.

Greta Gerwig

You may have seen Greta Gerwig in several mumblecore movies such as Hannah Takes the Stairs, Nights and Weekends and LOL. While she did co-direct her earlier works, her solo directorial debut was with the critically acclaimed coming-of-age comedy Lady Bird, starring Saoirse Ronan. The film was a box office success, and Greta was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Director. Her success story continues in her 2019 film Little Women for which Greta was nominated once again for the Academy Awards, but for Best Adapted Screenplay. You can watch Little Women on MX Player, Google Play Movies and Apple iTunes.

Jordan Peele

The Key & Peele actor, mostly known for his comedic roles, surprised his audiences when his directorial debut in 2017 was not a comedy but rather a horror flick, Get Out. In 2019, he directed another horror film Us starring Lupita Nyong’o, which critics claimed was more horrifying than Get Out. Watch Us on Google Play Movies and Apple iTunes.

Olivia Wilde

Maggie Gyllenhaal

Maggie Gyllenhaal began acting at the age of 15 in some of her father’s (Stephen Gyllenhaal) films. Her roles, be it television, cinema and Broadway, have been critically acclaimed, including Secretary, Sherrybaby, The Honourable Woman, The Real Things, etc. Maggie made her directorial debut with the Oscar-nominated 2021 psychological drama The Lost Daughter starring Olivia Colman and Dakota Johnson. She was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay in 2022. You can stream The Lost Daughter on Netflix.

George Clooney

Hollywood A-lister George Clooney is known for his dashing good look and impressive acting chops with memorable performances in Three Kings, One Fine Day and the Oceans franchise. In 2002, he directed his first film, the moderately successful Confessions of a Dangerous Mind. His later films as a director, Good Night, and Good Luck, The Ides of March, The Midnight Sky, became critically acclaimed and were nominated for the Academy Awards. The coming-of-age drama The Tender Bar was nominated at the Golden Globes.

Elizabeth Banks

The Emmy Award-winning actress Elizabeth Banks is known for her role in The Hunger Game and the Pitch Perfect series. Pitch Perfect 2 was her directorial debut. In 2019, she directed the new-age Charlie’s Angel starring Kristen Stewart, Naomi Scott and Ella Balinska. Her new film, Cocaine Bear, is set to release in 2022. Cocaine Bear is based on the real-life story of the death of an American Black Bear that ingested a bag of cocaine dropped from an airplane. Watch Pitch Perfect 2 and Charlie’s Angels on Google Play Movies and Apple iTunes.

Which actor’s directorial work do you like the best?