All too often people assume that a person can only be good at one thing. If they're a successful actor they can't be a good doctor - Ken Jeong begs to differ. If they're a successful athlete they can't be an Academy Award winner - Kobe Bryant proved this wrong. The fact of the matter is, people can be good at more than one thing.
It often helps if the two things someone is good at are similar like acting and directing. In fact, becoming a director after being a successful actor is an extremely logical step in many A-list actors' careers.
10 Amy Poehler
Amy Poehler is as multi-talented as they come. She got her start writing and acting on Saturday Night Live and went on to star in several shows and movies, including lending her voice to several animated films.
Her latest career journey has led her straight to the director's chair where she continues to thrive. She first stepped into the director's chair on Parks and Recreation where she directed three episodes. Poehler made her film directorial debut in 2019 with the Netflix Movie Wine Country. She most recently directed the teen Netflix movie Moxie.
9 Danny Devito
Danny Devito is not only an amazing on-camera star but he's also extremely talented behind the scenes. Devito is known for many roles including Louie on Taze, Frank on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and a myriad of movies, including some animation ones.
Devito made the jump to directing fairly early in his career making his debut in 1984 with the movie The Rating Game. The most well-known movie Devito directed is Maltida which he also starred in. He's also directed music videos including One Direction's "Steal My Girl" video.
8 Denzel Washington
Denzel Washington is easily one of the greatest actors of all time. From the very beginning, Washington has made a name for himself portraying real-life figures and appearing in dramatic, critically acclaimed movies. He has gone on to be nominated for nine Academy Awards winning two.
Washington made his directorial debut in 2002 with the film Antwone Fisher. His most successful directed film to date is the 2016 Academy Award Nimatinated Fences.
7 Elizabeth Banks
Elizabeth Banks has been a successful actress for several years appearing in dozens of movies and shows. Many fans recognize her as playing Effie Trinket in the teen hit franchise The Hunger Games. She also had a successful run on the NBC sitcom 30 Rock where she earned two Emmy nominations.
Banks found the director's chair in 2015 directing Pitch Perfect 2 which she also had a minor role in. She most recently directed the 2019 reboot of Charlie's Angels. She is also set to direct an adaptation of The Invisible Woman.
6 Greta Gerwig
Greta Gerwig is a rare actress who is more well-known for her work behind the camera than her work in front of it. She made her acting debut in the 2006 independent movie LOL. Since then she is starred in several movies including Jackie and also lent her voice to Wes Anderson's hit movie Isle of Dogs.
Gerwig made her directorial debut alongside Joe Swanberg in 2008 with the movie Nights and Weekends. Then in 2017, she ventured into the director's chair alone, directing the Academy-Award nominated Lady Bird. She then repeated her success with the 2019 adaptation of Little Woman.
5 Jon Favreau
Jon Favreau has become a powerhouse actor, producer, and director in recent years parenting with both Marvel and Star Wars respectively. But before he was the go-to producer and director, he was an actor appearing in films and television shows including Friends.
He made his directorial debut in 2001, directing Made which he also wrote. His big directing break came with the release of the iconic Christmas classic Elf. Since then, Favreau has directed two Iron Man films, two live-action Disney remakes, and has directed episodes on the hit Disney+ series The Mandalorian.
4 Mindy Kaling
One look at Mindy Kaling's career achievements is proof that she succeeds in everything she sets out to accomplish. Kaling got her to start writing and starring in the NBC hit workplace sitcom The Office. She's also appeared in several films both live-action and animated.
Kaling decided to test out the director's hair in 2010 when she made her television directorial debut by directing the season 6 episode of The Office "Body Language." She went on to direct several more episodes on The Office but has since vacated the director's chair to be a producer instead.
3 Olivia Wilde
Oliva Wilde is a talented actress who has appeared on television shows, in movies and has even appeared on Broadway. She is best known for playing Remy "Thirteen" Hadley on one of the best medical shows of all time, House. Since then she has starred in the Academy Award-nominated film Her and appeared in several television shows.
Wilde made her directorial debut in 2011 with the short film Free Hugs. However, it was her work on the iconic teen movie Booksmart that solidified her career as a successful director. She is currently directing the psychological thriller Don't Worry Darling.
2 Regina King
Regina King is an extremely successful actress who has the award collection to prove it. In fact, she has the most Primetime Emmy Awards of any African-American actor. Her first major role was as Brenda Jenkins in the series 227. Since then she has appeared in several shows and movies including the 2018 Academy Award-nominated film If Beale Street Could Talk.
King started her directorial career in the world of television where she's directed episodes of Scandal and This Is Us. She made her directorial debut in 2020 with the drama film One Night In Miami where she earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Director.
1 Taika Waititi
Taika Waititi is a quadruple threat when it comes to Hollywood since he's a successful actor, producer, writer, and now director. He's starred in various projects from superhero movies like Green Lantern and Thor: Ragnarok to Academy Award-winning films like Jojo Rabbit and even the hit FX series What We Do In The Shadows.
While Waititi is an amazing actor, he's best known for his work behind the camera. He made his film directorial debut in 2007 with the movie Eagle vs Shark. Since then he has directed Thor: Ragnarok, Jojo Rabbit, and Thor: Love and Thunder.