MOVIE STARS

Ten actors and actresses who became esteemed directors

It is certainly not a recent trend that great actors devote themselves to a directing career. This trend has existed since the dawn of cinema, with silent films, and moreover, it is something that happens everywhere in the world, not just in the huge Hollywood show business.

Having been great actors, however, is no guarantee of becoming great directors. There are some exceptional cases, with actors who have become perhaps even greater behind the camera (Clint Eastwood, John Cassavetes, Charles Laughton, Charlie Chaplin), but not all of them make it to the Olympus in both roles.

Perhaps, however, the role of director is not immediately apparent to the general public, so it may have escaped the notice that these 10 great actors are also great directors.

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Actors and actresses who became esteemed filmmakers
It is certainly not a recent trend that great actors devote themselves to a directing career. This trend has existed since the dawn of cinema, with silent films, and moreover, it is something that happens everywhere in the world, not just in the huge Hollywood show business. Having been great actors, however, is no guarantee of becoming great directors. There are some exceptional cases, with actors who have become perhaps even greater behind the camera (Clint Eastwood, John Cassavetes, Charles Laughton, Charlie Chaplin), but not all of them make it to the Olympus in both roles. Perhaps, however, the role of director is not immediately apparent to the general public, so it may have escaped the notice that these 10 great actors are also great directors.
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Angelina Jolie
In Angelina's case, we are also talking about one of the most beautiful women in the world, starring in numerous films that have made history, including 'Lara Corf/Tomb Rider', which brought her fame, 'Mr and Mrs Smith' and 'The Tourist'. Her career as a director began in 2007 with the documentary 'A Place in Time'. Since then she has continued to work actively behind the camera, with her latest work, 'Without Blood', due for release in 2023.
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George Clooney
Having become famous to the general public with the medical drama 'ER', Clooney is obviously one of the most handsome and fascinating men in the world. The 'Ocean's' series was certainly the most successful in terms of his acting career, but he has been actively working as a director since 2002. 'The Ides of March' and 'The Midnight Sky' (also an actor in both) are probably his two best known films as a director.
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Bradley Cooper
One of the stars of the 'Hangover' trilogy, he is best known for films such as 'Limitless', 'American Sniper' and 'A Star is Born' (with Lady Gaga). It was with 'A Star Is Born' that he made his triumphant debut as a director.
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Ben Affleck
Having become famous for films such as 'Mallrats' and 'Good Will Hunting', he has received many awards in his career, confirming his artistic eclecticism, and has even achieved the greatest honour in the world of cinema, namely being able to play Batman. He has also distinguished himself as a director, thanks to wonderful films such as 'Argo'.
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Ben Stiller
Ben Stiller is one of the greatest comic actors of the last 20 years. His films as actor and director have received many awards and grossed a total of $2.8 billion in the United States and Canada alone. As an actor, we remember such wonderful films as 'There's Something About Mary', 'Meet the Parents' and 'Night at the Museum'. As a director, 'Zoolander' (in which he is also the lead actor) must be remembered, as well as 'The Secret Life of Walter Mitty' and 'Tropic Thunder'.
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Ron Howard
Having become world famous thanks to the role of Richie Cunningham in the famous sitcom 'Happy Days', his career has developed mainly as a director. Three films such as 'Apollo 13', 'Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas' and 'A Beautiful Mind' would suffice to explain his greatness.
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Maggie Gyllenhaal
Sister of another actor, Jake, she has appeared on the big screen in several films, including 'Secretary', which earned her a Golden Globe nomination, and 'Batman Begins'. In 2021, she made her directorial debut with the film 'The Lost Daughter'.
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Clint Eastwood
The apotheosis of the actor/director, the great Clint knows how it's done. Idol of the masses in Sergio Leone's 'Spaghetti Western', he showed everyone how to be a director. 'Escape from Alcatraz' and 'Heartbreak Ridge' are two more classics of the actor. Remaining only in recent years as films of which he is director, we remember 'Million Dollar Baby', 'Gran Torino', 'American Sniper' and 'Sully'.
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Sean Penn
Winner of two Oscars for Best Actor ('Mystic River' and 'Milk'), he has also distinguished himself as a director, making very interesting feature films and documentaries. His work behind the camera includes 'Into the Wild', 'The Last Face' and 'Flag Day'.
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Olivia Wilde
Olivia Wilde has mainly worked as an actress, but in recent years she has also tried her hand at directing with two films, 2019's 'Booksmart' and 2022's 'Don't Worry Darling', a film that has been much talked about for some external issues. On television, she is also well known for having joined the cast of the successful TV series 'Dr. House'.
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