Jason Bateman’s directorial debut, Bad Words, hits theaters this weekend, making him the latest in a long line of actors who’ve decided to take a turn behind the camera. A storied tradition going back decades, the question in each case is—do you see the individual more as an actor, or a director? We decided to apply that question to some recent examples, and here’s what we found.
The Actor: Ben Affleck
Directorial Debut: Gone, Baby, Gone
Actor or Director? For years an actor with a middling career, Affleck reclaimed his reputation by directing three increasingly impressive films. Even though he’s playing the lead in this fall’s Gone Girl, and Batman in Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel sequel, it’s safe to say that he tends to be regarded first as a director, especially since helming 2013’s Best Picture winner, Argo. Toss in the fact that Warner Bros. will release his latest directorial effort, Live By Night,before he suits up as the Dark Knight, and the scales tip even more towards director.
The Actor: Kenneth Branagh
Directorial Debut: Henry V
Actor or Director? Though Branagh certainly made his name as an actor, lately he’s done more of the latter than the former. After Henry V earned him both a Best Actor and Best Director nomination, he’s carved out an impressive career for himself on both sides of the camera. The question is, in what form has he done his best work? With five Shakespearean adaptations (two of which have earned Oscar nods), as well as helming Thor and this January’s Jack Ryan reboot, we lean yet again towards director.
The Actor: George Clooney
Directorial Debut: Confessions of a Dangerous Mind
Actor or Director? Another tough call, just because of how often he’s gotten behind the camera lately. Clooney’s directed five movies, with more in development, and has spoken at length about how much he enjoys running things. Matt Damon has even called him the best director he’s ever worked with. Unlike Branagh, Clooney always stars in the movies he directs. Ten years from now, he might be more director than actor, but for now he’s firmly in the actor camp.
The Actor: Clint Eastwood
Directorial Debut: Play Misty For Me
Actor or Director? Not so long ago, this would have been a real discussion, but since Clint almost never acts anymore—and the last time he did, in Trouble with the Curve, he didn’t direct—the decision’s pretty straightforward. Still one of the biggest stars alive, he’s also become one of the industry’s best, most revered filmmakers.
The Actor: Ralph Fiennes
Directorial Debut: Coriolanus
Actor or Director? If you missed Fiennes’ second directorial effort, this fall’s The Invisible Woman, you’re not alone. It’s a shame, because the movie is a lovely piece of work, even beyond its Oscar-nominated costumes. Still, Fiennes has only directed two films, while he’s acted in scores of them. Though he has plenty of talent for directing, there’s no question that people first and foremost think of him as an actor.
The Actor: Jodie Foster
Directorial Debut: Little Man Tate
Actor or Director? Another tricky one, because up until recently, Foster never stopped acting, despite her forays into directing. After announcing what sounded like her retirement from acting during a speech at the 2013 Golden Globes, one would think she’s more interested in staying behind the camera, a theory bolstered by her work on Netflix’s House of Cards and Orange is the New Black. Foster has quietly directed an episode of each, leading us to believe there’ll be a lot more calling of “action” and “cut” in her future.
The Actor: Ron Howard
Directorial Debut: Grand Theft Auto
Actor or Director? One of the best examples of an actor turned director, it’s only been recently that Howard started to act again, after having grown up in front of the camera. He appeared in almost every episode of last year’s Arrested Development comeback, but prior to that, he hadn’t taken a proper acting job in two decades. He’s given no indication that this recent foray is a sign that he’s looking to get back into it, and indeed, he’s remained focused on directing films, like last year’s Rush and next year’s period piece, In the Heart of the Sea.
The Actor: Angelina Jolie
Directorial Debut: In the Land of Milk and Honey
Actor or Director? Jolie is one of the most sought-after actresses in Hollywood, but she’s making clear strides into directing. Yes, she appears as Sleeping Beauty’s nemesis in this summer’s highly-anticipated Maleficent, but it will be her first time on-screen in three-and-a-half years. Now, she’s directing another hot property, Unbroken, the story of World War II veteran Louis Zamperini, which is set to hit theaters Christmas Day. While still considered an actor, she is definitely transitioning to full-time director.
The Actor: Kasi Lemmons
Directorial Debut: Eve’s Bayou
Actor or Director? A talented and successful character actor with credits like The Silence of the Lambs and Candyman, Lemmons has focused more on her directing career since her 1997 debut. She’s only sporadically acted in the past decade, but came out with her latest film, Black Nativity, last fall. Nativity joins Talk to Me and The Caveman’s Valentine in an impressive resume and with six projects in development we can’t wait to see her next feature.
The Actor: Sean Penn
Directorial Debut: The Indian Runner
Actor or Director? While it not fair to characterize Penn’s directing career as a hobby—he’s far too skilled for that—it’s definitely not something he focuses on nearly as much as his acting. That his last directorial effort, the impressive, heart-wrenching Into the Wild, hit theaters seven years ago, backs that up. While he has a couple of upcoming directing projects (Flag Day and Crazy for the Storm), he’s still viewed primarily as a thespian.
The Actor: Sarah Polley
Directorial Debut: Away From Her
Actor or Director? Once considered an up-and-coming ingénue, Polley has become known for her unique skill behind the camera. Consider that she’s directed three features, one of them a documentary; earned an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay for Away From Her; and that she’s not appeared in front of the camera since taking a small roll in the 2010 indie, Trigger, and it’s pretty clear where her future lies.
The Actor: Robert Redford
Directorial Debut: Ordinary People
Actor or Director? One of the most famous men alive, Redford is an active filmmaker, but he still acts quite a bit for someone approaching 80. He’ll appear in next month’s Captain America sequel, as well as next year’s A Walk in the Woods, but doesn’t have a new directorial effort on the near horizon. Skilled as he may be, there isn’t nearly the clamor for his directing services.
The Actor: Ben Stiller
Directorial Debut: Reality Bites
Actor or Director? A true hyphenate who has set himself apart from his contemporaries, Stiller is another on this list who is not so easy to quantify. Films like Tropic Thunder, Zoolander, and last year’s The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, are each extensions of Stiller’s unique sensibilities, and it doesn’t hurt that he starred in all three. The only reason we’re going to go with actor here is because he’s only directed five films, despite seeming more prolific.