Acting in front of a camera is one thing, but running a movie production company is another. All an actor has to do is to perform and follow the script, with many doing a little improv here and there. Guiding a company, though, takes a lot to process.
That said, it comes as no surprise that these A-list actors launched their very own respective movie production companies. Not only did they do it to generate a new revenue stream, but it also allows them to transcend their creativity limit and freely express themselves. From Gal Gadot's Pilot Wave Motion Pictures to Brad Pitt's Plan B, here are some of the Hollywood stars who'd formed their own movie companies.
10 Gal Gadot
After rising to whole new level of stardom with the Wonder Woman franchise, Gal Gadot teamed up with her husband Jaron Varsano to form "Pilot Wave Motion Pictures" in 2019. The company debuted with the thriller Irena Sendler, a harrowing tale of a woman against Nazi Germany's occupation in Poland. Lately, the former Miss Israel has been keeping herself busy promoting her new documentary with National Geographic, Impact, which was also released under Pilot Wave banner.
9 50 Cent
Before he was a rapper, 50 Cent was always a businessman. That said, as soon as he started rapping under the Shady/Aftermath joint deal, 50 always looked to expand his business empire. He launched G-Unit Films and Television Inc in 2003 to shelter the rapper's on-screen debut on his semi-biographical drama Get Rich or Die Tryin'. 50 is also best known for his acting on Power and its sequels, which were all released under this company.
8 Will Smith
Will Smith and his wife, Jada Pinkett, launched Overbrook Entertainment in 1998 to produce their films. The company made its film debut by co-producing Ali with director Michael Mann under Columbia Pictures, Peters Entertainment, Forward Pass, and Initial Entertainment Group. Some of its best-known works include The Secret Life of Bees, The Pursuit of Happyness, I, Robot, The Karate Kid, To All the Boys I've Loved Before, and All of Us sitcom.
7 Leonardo DiCaprio
Titanic star Leonardo DiCaprio founded Appian Way Productions in 2004. Based in West Hollywood, California, the company has a plethora of impressive titles to its portfolio, including its debut The Assassination of Richard Nixon in 2004, thriller Shutter Island, horror flick Orphan, and the biopic Wolf of Wall Street. Lately, DiCaprio signed a joint deal with Martin Scorsese's Sikelia Productions to produce Killers of the Flower Moon, which is set to be distributed by Paramount and Apple TV+.
6 Ice Cube
Ice Cube can pretty much do it all: he can rap, act, and lead a production company. In addition to his impressive rap career as NWA's prolific writer and solo artist, Cube formed CubeVision entertainment company in 1995 alongside his then-manager Patricia Charbonnet. Together, the two produced Ice Cube's big cinema break, Friday. The company also co-produced Straight Outta Compton biographical drama in 2015 and is to produce the movie adaptation of Oliver Twist.
5 Adam Sandler
Adam Sandler made his debut as an entertainment company CEO by producing Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo with Saturday Night Live alumnus Rob Schneider. Launched in 1999, Happy Madison Productions went to produce some more high-grossing movies, including Grown Ups ($271 million gross), Grown Ups 2 ($246 million), and Pixels ($244 million).
4 Spike Lee
Since launching 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks in 1983, Spike Lee has helped to produce over 35 blockbuster films. Lee, who is also an outspoken celeb about the colorism of the black community in Hollywood, expanded to a higher success after two successful releases of Do the Right Thing and Malcolm X.
3 Eminem
Even though Eminem doesn't act very often, he and his manager Paul Rosenberg formed Shady Films under the rapper's Shady Records music label. The company is best known for producing the web series Detroit Rubber and Eminem-executive-produced battle rap movie Bodied. As for the rapper himself, he doesn't seem to enjoy making movies more than rapping, so it's not likely we'll see Em coming back to the silver screen anytime soon.
2 Idris Elba
Idris Elba formed Green Door Pictures in 2013. Some of its best works include CBC's In the Long Run comedy hit where the actor also joined its ensemble cast. Last year, The Wire star inked a first-look deal with Apple to produce series and features for the company's streaming platform, Apple TV+. Besides that, the company's Concrete Cowboy, which was acquired by Netflix, is due to a Spring 2021 premiere.
1 Brad Pitt
Lastly, there's Brad Pitt who founded Plan B Entertainment in 2001 with Brad Grey and Jennifer Aniston. However, as Pitt and Aniston finalized their divorce and Grey joined Paramount as its CEO, Pitt became the company's sole owner. The company is known for producing 12 Years a Slave and Moonlight, and both of them won the Best Picture from the Oscar.