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Top 10 Actors Turned Directors


there is good behind the camera as they

there is good behind the camera as they are in front of it

are in front of it

are in front of it a tin on a starship landing an exotic

a tin on a starship landing an exotic

a tin on a starship landing an exotic Middle Eastern vibe welcome to

Middle Eastern vibe welcome to

Middle Eastern vibe welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re counting

watchmojo.com and today we’re counting

watchmojo.com and today we’re counting down our picks for the top 10 actors

down our picks for the top 10 actors

down our picks for the top 10 actors turned directors

turned directors

turned directors I remember being knocked out by their

I remember being knocked out by their

I remember being knocked out by their their exuberance their raw power and

their exuberance their raw power and

their exuberance their raw power and their punctuality for this list we’ve

their punctuality for this list we’ve

their punctuality for this list we’ve chosen our actors turned directors based

chosen our actors turned directors based

chosen our actors turned directors based on the strength of their debuts their

on the strength of their debuts their

on the strength of their debuts their popularity as an actor and the acclaim

popularity as an actor and the acclaim

popularity as an actor and the acclaim of their movies oh and there’s money in

of their movies oh and there’s money in

of their movies oh and there’s money in it

it

it good money number 10 Kenneth Branagh we

good money number 10 Kenneth Branagh we

good money number 10 Kenneth Branagh we charge you in the name of God take heed

charge you in the name of God take heed

charge you in the name of God take heed while he did some TV work early on

while he did some TV work early on

while he did some TV work early on Kenneth Branagh first gained attention

Kenneth Branagh first gained attention

Kenneth Branagh first gained attention thanks to his time as an actor on the

thanks to his time as an actor on the

thanks to his time as an actor on the British stage ladies and gentlemen what

British stage ladies and gentlemen what

British stage ladies and gentlemen what an extraordinary moment this is after

an extraordinary moment this is after

an extraordinary moment this is after making a name for himself through

making a name for himself through

making a name for himself through Shakespeare’s work in the theatre he

Shakespeare’s work in the theatre he

Shakespeare’s work in the theatre he soon became known for adapting the bar

soon became known for adapting the bar

soon became known for adapting the bar to the big screen starting off with

to the big screen starting off with

to the big screen starting off with 1989’s Henry v which he directed and

1989’s Henry v which he directed and

1989’s Henry v which he directed and starred in well Danny speaks and thought

starred in well Danny speaks and thought

starred in well Danny speaks and thought with us upon Saint Crispin’s day

while he has acted in non Shakespearean

while he has acted in non Shakespearean films Brenna’s directing talent truly

films Brenna’s directing talent truly

films Brenna’s directing talent truly comes to life when he’s tackling the

comes to life when he’s tackling the

comes to life when he’s tackling the legendary playwright as evidenced by the

legendary playwright as evidenced by the

legendary playwright as evidenced by the critical acclaim and multiple accolades

critical acclaim and multiple accolades

critical acclaim and multiple accolades and awards nominations he’s since

and awards nominations he’s since

and awards nominations he’s since accumulated how does my good Lord have

accumulated how does my good Lord have

accumulated how does my good Lord have it well got a massive number nine Jon

it well got a massive number nine Jon

it well got a massive number nine Jon Favreau

Favreau

Favreau hey Mikey Mikey Disney Brad if you’d

hey Mikey Mikey Disney Brad if you’d

hey Mikey Mikey Disney Brad if you’d like to come in and join us for a

like to come in and join us for a

like to come in and join us for a cocktail Michael Michael oh man if you

cocktail Michael Michael oh man if you

cocktail Michael Michael oh man if you could be polite have him come in Michael

could be polite have him come in Michael

could be polite have him come in Michael he’s polite let him in it be clean

he’s polite let him in it be clean

he’s polite let him in it be clean have him come book have him take off his

have him come book have him take off his

have him come book have him take off his shoes after dropping out of college to

shoes after dropping out of college to

shoes after dropping out of college to pursue acting Jon Favreau had his first

pursue acting Jon Favreau had his first

pursue acting Jon Favreau had his first big screen and small screen roles during

big screen and small screen roles during

big screen and small screen roles during the early 90s a period in which he met

the early 90s a period in which he met

the early 90s a period in which he met and acted alongside Vince Vaughn and

and acted alongside Vince Vaughn and

and acted alongside Vince Vaughn and Jeremy Piven can come back huh why not

Jeremy Piven can come back huh why not

Jeremy Piven can come back huh why not Mike didn’t occur to me he also branched

Mike didn’t occur to me he also branched

Mike didn’t occur to me he also branched out into screenwriting most notably with

out into screenwriting most notably with

out into screenwriting most notably with swingers and had his film directorial

swingers and had his film directorial

swingers and had his film directorial debut in 2001 with the crime comedy made

debut in 2001 with the crime comedy made

debut in 2001 with the crime comedy made if we didn’t have to uh be on call we

if we didn’t have to uh be on call we

if we didn’t have to uh be on call we could drink as much as we want for

could drink as much as we want for

could drink as much as we want for relation oh yeah because you know there

relation oh yeah because you know there

relation oh yeah because you know there probably had a page us and asked us to

probably had a page us and asked us to

probably had a page us and asked us to whack out the pilot up front you know

whack out the pilot up front you know

whack out the pilot up front you know what I mean commercial success due to

what I mean commercial success due to

what I mean commercial success due to his directing began with 2003 elf and

his directing began with 2003 elf and

his directing began with 2003 elf and though he continued to act it was by

though he continued to act it was by

though he continued to act it was by directing the first two Iron Man movies

directing the first two Iron Man movies

directing the first two Iron Man movies that Favreau really struck gold as these

that Favreau really struck gold as these

that Favreau really struck gold as these films showcased his knack for

films showcased his knack for

films showcased his knack for storytelling creativity and balance

happy that’s what I’m talking about

happy that’s what I’m talking about just slip you did yeah number eight rob

just slip you did yeah number eight rob

just slip you did yeah number eight rob reiner

reiner

reiner they are treading water in a sea of

they are treading water in a sea of

they are treading water in a sea of retarded sexuality and bad poetry that’s

retarded sexuality and bad poetry that’s

retarded sexuality and bad poetry that’s nitpicking his name after portraying

nitpicking his name after portraying

nitpicking his name after portraying meathead on all in the family Rob Reiner

meathead on all in the family Rob Reiner

meathead on all in the family Rob Reiner knew that he’d have to do something big

knew that he’d have to do something big

knew that he’d have to do something big to get out of that shadow do you want me

to get out of that shadow do you want me

to get out of that shadow do you want me to send you back to where you were

to send you back to where you were

to send you back to where you were unemployed he did just that with his big

unemployed he did just that with his big

unemployed he did just that with his big screen directorial debut this is final

screen directorial debut this is final

screen directorial debut this is final tap

since then Reiner has been behind some

since then Reiner has been behind some of the most iconic movies in American

of the most iconic movies in American

of the most iconic movies in American cinema scoring hits with films like The

cinema scoring hits with films like The

cinema scoring hits with films like The Princess Bride When Harry Met Sally and

Princess Bride When Harry Met Sally and

Princess Bride When Harry Met Sally and a few good men Oh Oh God his choices

a few good men Oh Oh God his choices

a few good men Oh Oh God his choices have demonstrated his talent for mixing

have demonstrated his talent for mixing

have demonstrated his talent for mixing the heartfelt with the funny without

the heartfelt with the funny without

the heartfelt with the funny without venturing into sappy you see that is

venturing into sappy you see that is

venturing into sappy you see that is just like you Harry you say things like

just like you Harry you say things like

just like you Harry you say things like that and you make it impossible for me

that and you make it impossible for me

that and you make it impossible for me to hate you

to hate you

to hate you number seven Ben Affleck

yeah

yeah Oh Oh huh hi fine

Oh Oh huh hi fine

Oh Oh huh hi fine so do you ladies Seraphin while finding

so do you ladies Seraphin while finding

so do you ladies Seraphin while finding himself a regular of Hollywood’s tabloid

himself a regular of Hollywood’s tabloid

himself a regular of Hollywood’s tabloid fodder many thought Ben Affleck was past

fodder many thought Ben Affleck was past

fodder many thought Ben Affleck was past the earlier promise he had exhibited

the earlier promise he had exhibited

the earlier promise he had exhibited with Good Will Hunting

with Good Will Hunting

with Good Will Hunting [Music]

[Music]

[Music] you’re gonna get charged you know that

you’re gonna get charged you know that

you’re gonna get charged you know that you think I’m afraid of your Pig but

you think I’m afraid of your Pig but

you think I’m afraid of your Pig but after some time away from the spotlight

after some time away from the spotlight

after some time away from the spotlight Affleck returned to the cinema with Gone

Affleck returned to the cinema with Gone

Affleck returned to the cinema with Gone Baby Gone a directorial debut that

Baby Gone a directorial debut that

Baby Gone a directorial debut that demonstrated he understood the grittier

demonstrated he understood the grittier

demonstrated he understood the grittier side of life at one with mortgage her

side of life at one with mortgage her

side of life at one with mortgage her home to every snake doctor taking credit

home to every snake doctor taking credit

home to every snake doctor taking credit cards if she thought it would help find

cards if she thought it would help find

cards if she thought it would help find her niece my job’s hot enough without

her niece my job’s hot enough without

her niece my job’s hot enough without inviting the circus in here

inviting the circus in here

inviting the circus in here since then he’s gravitated towards

since then he’s gravitated towards

since then he’s gravitated towards directing darker projects that offer

directing darker projects that offer

directing darker projects that offer social and political commentary that

social and political commentary that

social and political commentary that contrasted greatly with his former

contrasted greatly with his former

contrasted greatly with his former playboy image

gonna be okay

gonna be okay most Irish a his efforts have certainly

most Irish a his efforts have certainly

most Irish a his efforts have certainly paid off Argo won three Oscars including

paid off Argo won three Oscars including

paid off Argo won three Oscars including one for Best Picture well you want to

one for Best Picture well you want to

one for Best Picture well you want to come to Hollywood act like a big shot

come to Hollywood act like a big shot

come to Hollywood act like a big shot yeah without actually doing anything no

yeah without actually doing anything no

yeah without actually doing anything no you’ll fit right in

you’ll fit right in

you’ll fit right in number six Robert Redford wasn’t

number six Robert Redford wasn’t

number six Robert Redford wasn’t cheating I wasn’t cheating known for his

cheating I wasn’t cheating known for his

cheating I wasn’t cheating known for his good looks and for playing legendary

good looks and for playing legendary

good looks and for playing legendary characters like the Sundance Kid Robert

characters like the Sundance Kid Robert

characters like the Sundance Kid Robert Redford was a major staple in Hollywood

Redford was a major staple in Hollywood

Redford was a major staple in Hollywood long before he tried his hand at

long before he tried his hand at

long before he tried his hand at directing ah everything’s got to be

directing ah everything’s got to be

directing ah everything’s got to be perfect with you I just don’t want to

perfect with you I just don’t want to

perfect with you I just don’t want to get there and find out it stinks

get there and find out it stinks

get there and find out it stinks that’s all 18 years after his big screen

that’s all 18 years after his big screen

that’s all 18 years after his big screen debut Redford stepped behind the camera

debut Redford stepped behind the camera

debut Redford stepped behind the camera with ordinary people it’s okay and it is

with ordinary people it’s okay and it is

with ordinary people it’s okay and it is necessary winning four Oscars the drama

necessary winning four Oscars the drama

necessary winning four Oscars the drama proved his talent as an actor was

proved his talent as an actor was

proved his talent as an actor was beneficial as a director and that he

beneficial as a director and that he

beneficial as a director and that he knew how to produce unparalleled

knew how to produce unparalleled

knew how to produce unparalleled performances from other thespians we

performances from other thespians we

performances from other thespians we were going to our son’s funeral you were

were going to our son’s funeral you were

were going to our son’s funeral you were worried about what I wore on my feet as

worried about what I wore on my feet as

worried about what I wore on my feet as the founder of the Sundance Film

the founder of the Sundance Film

the founder of the Sundance Film Festival he’s also responsible for the

Festival he’s also responsible for the

Festival he’s also responsible for the launch of several indie filmmakers

launch of several indie filmmakers

launch of several indie filmmakers careers

[Music]

[Music] at that moment I knew surely and clearly

at that moment I knew surely and clearly

at that moment I knew surely and clearly that I was witnessing perfection

that I was witnessing perfection

that I was witnessing perfection number five Sean Penn come who’s that

number five Sean Penn come who’s that

number five Sean Penn come who’s that girlfriend you had in high school I lots

girlfriend you had in high school I lots

girlfriend you had in high school I lots of girls high school it was in the 70s

of girls high school it was in the 70s

of girls high school it was in the 70s that Sean Penn’s father Leo let his son

that Sean Penn’s father Leo let his son

that Sean Penn’s father Leo let his son be an extra on the TV drama Little House

be an extra on the TV drama Little House

be an extra on the TV drama Little House on the Prairie

on the Prairie

on the Prairie Sean quickly caught the acting bug and

Sean quickly caught the acting bug and

Sean quickly caught the acting bug and made his big screen debut several years

made his big screen debut several years

made his big screen debut several years later in taps you don’t want to save

later in taps you don’t want to save

later in taps you don’t want to save this girl for posterity

this girl for posterity

this girl for posterity you want to wear like your own private

you want to wear like your own private

you want to wear like your own private cocoon just you and face snag his two

cocoon just you and face snag his two

cocoon just you and face snag his two bucks queer for each other

bucks queer for each other

bucks queer for each other he since played a wide variety of roles

he since played a wide variety of roles

he since played a wide variety of roles with his acting earning him five Best

with his acting earning him five Best

with his acting earning him five Best Actor Oscar nods two of which brought

Actor Oscar nods two of which brought

Actor Oscar nods two of which brought home the gold now you need something

home the gold now you need something

home the gold now you need something from me what do you want me to support

from me what do you want me to support

from me what do you want me to support the queers against prop sex is that it

the queers against prop sex is that it

the queers against prop sex is that it we prefer the term gay yeah

we prefer the term gay yeah

we prefer the term gay yeah during this time he also began directing

during this time he also began directing

during this time he also began directing music videos and films such as the

music videos and films such as the

music videos and films such as the crossing guard and into the wild getting

crossing guard and into the wild getting

crossing guard and into the wild getting out of his six society society side a

out of his six society society side a

out of his six society society side a man Heidi society science lady you know

man Heidi society science lady you know

man Heidi society science lady you know society as a director Penn has been

society as a director Penn has been

society as a director Penn has been praised for his confident style

praised for his confident style

praised for his confident style willingness to take risks and his

willingness to take risks and his

willingness to take risks and his ability to get great performances from

ability to get great performances from

ability to get great performances from his actors

his actors

his actors [Applause]

[Applause]

[Applause] number four George Clooney sometimes

number four George Clooney sometimes

number four George Clooney sometimes called the Cary Grant of modern times

called the Cary Grant of modern times

called the Cary Grant of modern times George Clooney has shown he’s more than

George Clooney has shown he’s more than

George Clooney has shown he’s more than just a leading man by branching out is

just a leading man by branching out is

just a leading man by branching out is your personal theory because I can shoot

your personal theory because I can shoot

your personal theory because I can shoot holes in it as a director he’s created

holes in it as a director he’s created

holes in it as a director he’s created films that serve as political and social

films that serve as political and social

films that serve as political and social commentary while maintaining aspects of

commentary while maintaining aspects of

commentary while maintaining aspects of humor Clooney also had a hand in writing

humor Clooney also had a hand in writing

humor Clooney also had a hand in writing several of the features he’s directed

several of the features he’s directed

several of the features he’s directed with his screenwriting partner grant

with his screenwriting partner grant

with his screenwriting partner grant Heslov this is why Hitler didn’t bomb

Heslov this is why Hitler didn’t bomb

Heslov this is why Hitler didn’t bomb Paris well he bombed London yes I know

Paris well he bombed London yes I know

Paris well he bombed London yes I know he even produced Argo with Ben Affleck

he even produced Argo with Ben Affleck

he even produced Argo with Ben Affleck and thus shares the Best Picture Oscar

and thus shares the Best Picture Oscar

and thus shares the Best Picture Oscar with him history tonight history starts

with him history tonight history starts

with him history tonight history starts out as farce and ends up as tragedy

out as farce and ends up as tragedy

out as farce and ends up as tragedy courts the other way around who said it

courts the other way around who said it

courts the other way around who said it Marx Rogerson number three Mel Gibson

Marx Rogerson number three Mel Gibson

Marx Rogerson number three Mel Gibson [Music]

[Music]

[Music] the Lord tells me you can get me out of

the Lord tells me you can get me out of

the Lord tells me you can get me out of this match but he’s pretty sure you’re

this match but he’s pretty sure you’re

this match but he’s pretty sure you’re after many years of flirting with the

after many years of flirting with the

after many years of flirting with the idea Mel Gibson started directing at the

idea Mel Gibson started directing at the

idea Mel Gibson started directing at the height of his career in 1993 two years

height of his career in 1993 two years

height of his career in 1993 two years later his second film Braveheart didn’t

later his second film Braveheart didn’t

later his second film Braveheart didn’t only give him one of the most iconic

only give him one of the most iconic

only give him one of the most iconic roles of his career but also displayed

roles of his career but also displayed

roles of his career but also displayed his talents as a director

his talents as a director

his talents as a director [Applause]

not one to shy away from controversial

not one to shy away from controversial stories Gibson then depicted the last

stories Gibson then depicted the last

stories Gibson then depicted the last hours of Jesus Christ’s life in The

hours of Jesus Christ’s life in The

hours of Jesus Christ’s life in The Passion of the Christ

Passion of the Christ

Passion of the Christ Laughlin a gubernatorial may see ahead

Laughlin a gubernatorial may see ahead

Laughlin a gubernatorial may see ahead own a know Malkin dapper the he who they

own a know Malkin dapper the he who they

own a know Malkin dapper the he who they despite the mixed reviews and extreme

despite the mixed reviews and extreme

despite the mixed reviews and extreme violence or perhaps because of it the

violence or perhaps because of it the

violence or perhaps because of it the movie holds the record as the

movie holds the record as the

movie holds the record as the highest-grossing r-rated film of all

highest-grossing r-rated film of all

highest-grossing r-rated film of all time in American cinema dad number two

time in American cinema dad number two

time in American cinema dad number two Ron Howard statue is a gift from French

Ron Howard statue is a gift from French

Ron Howard statue is a gift from French citizens that has come to symbolize hope

citizens that has come to symbolize hope

citizens that has come to symbolize hope for naked women everywhere bocce balls

for naked women everywhere bocce balls

for naked women everywhere bocce balls Ron Howard will always be little Opie

Ron Howard will always be little Opie

Ron Howard will always be little Opie Taylor or the teenaged Richie Cunningham

Taylor or the teenaged Richie Cunningham

Taylor or the teenaged Richie Cunningham to us but he’s also given us proof that

to us but he’s also given us proof that

to us but he’s also given us proof that he’s more than just a Boy Wonder

he’s more than just a Boy Wonder

he’s more than just a Boy Wonder last night she heard the moaning she

last night she heard the moaning she

last night she heard the moaning she thought it was me yeah so you’re gonna

thought it was me yeah so you’re gonna

thought it was me yeah so you’re gonna have to try and control yourself with

have to try and control yourself with

have to try and control yourself with you it’s impossible Howard has bounced

you it’s impossible Howard has bounced

you it’s impossible Howard has bounced back and forth between light romps like

back and forth between light romps like

back and forth between light romps like splash and How the Grinch Stole

splash and How the Grinch Stole

splash and How the Grinch Stole Christmas to more serious films like a

Christmas to more serious films like a

Christmas to more serious films like a beautiful mind and Cinderella man I told

beautiful mind and Cinderella man I told

beautiful mind and Cinderella man I told you attachments were dangerous you chose

you attachments were dangerous you chose

you attachments were dangerous you chose to marry the girl I did nothing to

to marry the girl I did nothing to

to marry the girl I did nothing to prevent it

prevent it

prevent it he’s even dominated the small screen

he’s even dominated the small screen

he’s even dominated the small screen with his film Parenthood becoming the

with his film Parenthood becoming the

with his film Parenthood becoming the source material for the NBC show he

source material for the NBC show he

source material for the NBC show he executive produces

if it I before we unveil our number one

if it I before we unveil our number one pick here are a few honorable mentions

pick here are a few honorable mentions

pick here are a few honorable mentions you look tired

you look tired

you look tired no kidding why don’t you try sleeping in

no kidding why don’t you try sleeping in

no kidding why don’t you try sleeping in my shoulder I won’t let you slip you can

my shoulder I won’t let you slip you can

my shoulder I won’t let you slip you can trust me that’s what the last guy said

trust me that’s what the last guy said

trust me that’s what the last guy said what forget there judge hey what’s going

what forget there judge hey what’s going

what forget there judge hey what’s going on there I know what you’re thinking and

on there I know what you’re thinking and

on there I know what you’re thinking and on the best dog in the whole ring see

on the best dog in the whole ring see

on the best dog in the whole ring see that’s not a bad idea me about you

that’s not a bad idea me about you

that’s not a bad idea me about you should should do that practice that

should should do that practice that

should should do that practice that right nah it’s okay all right I’ll meet

right nah it’s okay all right I’ll meet

right nah it’s okay all right I’ll meet you right back down here and get out all

you right back down here and get out all

you right back down here and get out all right okay now after the accident in the

right okay now after the accident in the

right okay now after the accident in the park other control issah wiped out our

park other control issah wiped out our

park other control issah wiped out our facility on site B call it a an act of

facility on site B call it a an act of

facility on site B call it a an act of God but we have to evacuate of course

God but we have to evacuate of course

God but we have to evacuate of course and the animals are released to mature

and the animals are released to mature

and the animals are released to mature on their own number one Clint Eastwood

on their own number one Clint Eastwood

on their own number one Clint Eastwood I’ll tell you tonight I’m really ripped

though he’ll probably always be most

though he’ll probably always be most associated with being the man with no

associated with being the man with no

associated with being the man with no name and or Dirty Harry Clint Eastwood

name and or Dirty Harry Clint Eastwood

name and or Dirty Harry Clint Eastwood is the modern ideal of a successful

is the modern ideal of a successful

is the modern ideal of a successful actor turned director you mean that’s a

actor turned director you mean that’s a

actor turned director you mean that’s a kid shoe lettuce hey kid it’s me will

kid shoe lettuce hey kid it’s me will

kid shoe lettuce hey kid it’s me will money hell the kid children up starting

money hell the kid children up starting

money hell the kid children up starting with 1971’s play misty for me Eastwood

with 1971’s play misty for me Eastwood

with 1971’s play misty for me Eastwood has directed more than 30 films in

has directed more than 30 films in

has directed more than 30 films in various genres and has made a name for

various genres and has made a name for

various genres and has made a name for himself as a well-organized and

himself as a well-organized and

himself as a well-organized and resourceful director what you going back

resourceful director what you going back

resourceful director what you going back with him he’s my partner you don’t go I

with him he’s my partner you don’t go I

with him he’s my partner you don’t go I don’t go even in his 80s he’s still at

don’t go even in his 80s he’s still at

don’t go even in his 80s he’s still at the top of his game churning out films

the top of his game churning out films

the top of his game churning out films that are both critically and

that are both critically and

that are both critically and commercially successful he’s also won

commercially successful he’s also won

commercially successful he’s also won Best Director and Best Picture Oscars

Best Director and Best Picture Oscars

Best Director and Best Picture Oscars twice

twice

twice yeah shit hey Bob come on now shut your

yeah shit hey Bob come on now shut your

yeah shit hey Bob come on now shut your face do you agree with our list who’s

face do you agree with our list who’s

face do you agree with our list who’s your favorite actor turned director for

your favorite actor turned director for

your favorite actor turned director for more can’t miss top 10s published every

more can’t miss top 10s published every

more can’t miss top 10s published every day be sure to subscribe to

day be sure to subscribe to

day be sure to subscribe to watchmojo.com

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