Summary

When an role player get across over to work behind the camera , it ’s not always a success , but these actors have proven they have a great eye and the accomplishment to make excellent movies . Every aspect of filmmaking is full of life to the creation of the finished project , but orchestrate is a pregnant task that requires overseeing many moving parts . Making the transition from act to directing , or vice versa , can be a shock , but it can also open up up the human beings of the creator and top to grotesque projects the humans would be worse off without .

work as an actor before move to directing can provide full of life science for working with actorsand help them reach their undecomposed operation . A conductor with the noesis of what it feels like to be in front of the camera creates a more empathetic and understanding experience for both parties . Often , these actor - theater director powerhouse are also interested in write their own work , so they can be as involved in the process of creation as potential .

They may be better known for their body of work behind the camera , but these movie maker have a surprising amount of screen presence and dramatic chops .

Eli Roth in Inglourious Basterds Kenneth Brannagh and Tyler Perry in Dont Look Up

10Regina King

One Night In Miami… (2020), Let The Church Say Amen (2013), Scandal (2012 - 2018)

Regina King has bear witness herself a jack - of - all - trades many fourth dimension over , with great performances across a ten thousand of genres , and iconic voice work as well . However , as a director , her power shine , not just in motion-picture show , but also in television . Her cinema likeOne Night In Miami … are a broader exploration of the mode she brings to the many support - alone episodes she has directed for shows . These episode frequently obtain vital and audience acclaim and have put her on the map in the directorial land . There ’s no incertitude that King ’s career has just begun and will continue to thrill viewers .

9Clint Eastwood

Unforgiven (1992), The Bridges of Madison County (1995), Mystic River (2003)

The American westerly literary genre would n’t be the same without Clint Eastwood . Both a fertile actor and manager within the literary genre , he ground image early in his vocation , only to break them and change the landscape of celluloid as he matured as a director . Unforgiven , which he directed and starred in , is considered a masterpiecein both performance and behind - the - scenes writ of execution . Though he easily works with himself as a star , his ability to collaborate with so many expectant actors , admit Meryl Streep , show that he belongs in the film director ’s chair .

Clint Eastwood ’s wide vocation let in capital films as an actor and as a conductor ; however , one of those two roles seems to fit him the beneficial .

8Robert Redford

Ordinary People (1980), Quiz Show (1994), A River Runs Through It (1992)

While Robert Redford might be more well - known for his play performances , that does n’t mean the films he send are n’t just as desirable of praise . His directorial debut , Ordinary People , won many awards , including Best Picture at the Oscars . This set the Browning automatic rifle in high spirits for his later body of work , but he maintained the same consignment to tone and excogitation in filmmaking . Before work in film , he got his start acting on Broadway , which informed many of his act choices . The intelligence activity and humor that he bestow to his roles are always present in his films .

7Todd Field

Tár (2022), Little Children (2006), In The Bedroom (2001)

Todd Field has had an interesting path to the world of filmmaking but has distinguished himself with cinema of howling caliber . Tármade waves after its waiver because of Field ’s masterly direction , and Cate Blanchett ’s career - defining performancewhile working with him . Much of his endowment as a director can be traced back to the Almighty he worked with as an actor . Being on fructify with Stanley Kubrick inEyes encompassing Shutmust have teach him much about the art of cinema . Though he often contract pregnant breaks between projects , Field is the kind of director worth wait for .

6Sarah Polley

Women Talking (2022), Away From Her (2006)

Sarah Polley late made waves when she won the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay for her most recent flick , Women speak . Before this , and her former films and television shows , Polley was a child star in the seriesRamonaandRoad To Avonlea , as well as many films likeThe Adventures Of Baron Munchausen . Though she successfully transitioned to grownup role , it was before long clear thatPolley ’s cacoethes , and endowment , lie with writing and directing . Polley infuses all of her workplace with her political activism and desire to shed light on untold stories .

5Benny Safdie

Good Time (2017), Uncut Gems (2019)

Benny Safdie is an interesting caseful of an actor - director combination because he was a more prominent manager first . He and his brother , Josh Safdie , were a fecund span , and one to watch . The Safdie brothers have recently split updue to the former ’s desire to commit to represent . Though it ’s still early in his acting career , it ’s going to be difficult to pulsate the legacy of directing that he make with his chum . BothUncut GemsandGood Timeare known for their anxiousness - inducing stride , and the brothers could have had plenty of succeeder making more films in this trend .

4Olivia Wilde

Booksmart (2019), Don’t Worry Darling (2022)

Though her most late film , Don’t Worry Darling , did n’t perform as well as her debut , Olivia Wilde is still making waves and an up - and - coming director to follow . Booksmartsolidified her as a force to be reckoned with and someone with corking brainstorm into the teenage missy experience . Her playacting career was successful in both moving-picture show and television , but she was often type as a making love interest instead of a full flesh - out somebody . Through her films , she has work to create distaff characters with robust backstories and strong development .

3Jon Favreau

Chef (2014), Iron Man (2008), Elf (2003)

well know for his work within the Marvel Cinematic Universe , Jon Favreau also play a recurring character , Happy Hogan , who teams up with Iron Man and Spider - Man . He ’s a titan in the superhero genre because it was he who manoeuver the firstIron Manin 2008 , which kvetch off the popularity of Marvel onscreen in the twenty - first century . Before that , he had proved his talent in drollery and drama with films likeElfandChef . Favreau realise a playfulness sidekick and comedic ease in his acting roles , but they do n’t come close to the talent he displays behind the camera .

Jon Favreau made the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe possible with the success of 2008 ’s Iron Man . He stick in icon like Tony Stark and Nick Fury .

2Jordan Peele

Get Out (2017), Us (2019), Nope (2022)

Jordan Peele was not just an actor , but also an iconic comedian , but it ’s these comedic chopper that prepped him so well for his nipping horror photographic film that are plethoric with satire . start withGet Outin 2017 , Peele proved himself to be unlike from any other director working in Hollywood today because ofhis power to turn decisive analysis of cultivation and bias into exciting narratives . It ’s due to his broad range of a function of experience that the films he bring out are so well received , and his clock time as an actor helps him aim the performers he works with so effectively .

1Greta Gerwig

Lady Bird (2017), Little Women (2019), Barbie (2023)

One of the most popular female filmmakers in recent years , Greta Gerwig first made her name portraying lose young fair sex in indie films such asFrances HaandTwentieth Century Women , but she had too many ideas to remain in front of the tv camera . Her first foray into behind - the - view work came in co - writingFrances Hawith her now married man Noah Baumbach . Since then , with every picture show under her belt , she ’s only increased her background by contain on magnanimous and more high - profile projects .

Barbieis her most commercial-grade hit to date , butGerwig makingBarbiewasn’t trade out , but simply the next gradation in her evolution as a film director . The quieter moving-picture show she was live for in her early years helped develop her keen sense of empathy and sharp writing skill that turn even the most popular movie into a think patch . Though Gerwig bring a unique good luck charm to her onscreen performance , it ’s cleared that she belongs behind the camera , and there ’s no going back .

Clint Eastwood As William Munny In Unforgiven And Posters Of His Movies As Background

Split image of Robert Downey Jr in Iron Man and Scarlett Johansson in Iron Man 2

(Jordan-Peele—–as-Rell-Williams–Oil-Dresden)-From-Keanu–(Olivia-Wilde-as-Bunny)From-Don’t-Worry-Darling-(Greta-Gerwig-as-Abbie-Porter)-from-20th-Century-Women

Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali, Jim Brown, and Sam Cooke standing outside in One Night in Miami

Donald Sutherland as Calvin Jarrett embraces Timothy Hutton as Conrad Jarrett in Ordinary People

Cate Blanchett conducting in TAR.

The cast of Women Talking all looking off camera.

Amy (Kaitlyn Dever) and Molly (Beanie Feldstein) drive to graduation in Booksmart.

Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark during weapons demo in Iron Man (2008)

Daniel Kaluuya as Chris in a forest in Get Out.