15 Actors Who Also Do Impressive Work Behind The Scenes
In Hollywood, roles get clearly defined quickly. You have screenwriters who produce the script. You have producers who secure funding or negotiate a network. You have directors who work with the cinematographer. And then, you have the actors. These are the people who memorize lines, put on costumes, and get into character in front of the cameras.
Indeed, the jobs are pretty well-defined. However, thanks to a number of actors, these lines sometimes blur. Sure, behind the scenes, writers, directors, and producers can take on other roles, but it was once rare for actors to immerse themselves in work behind the camera.
Today, more and more actors do more than just a star on a film or tv show. Instead, some of them produce, write, or direct. Just check out these actors who have also done impressive work behind the scenes:
15 Alicia Vikander Started Her Own Production Company And Produced “Euphoria”
Few of us know that Alicia Vikander keeps herself busy with behind the scenes work these days. That’s because she started her own production company, Vikarious Productions, which is responsible for the 2017 thriller “Euphoria.” While speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, Vikander remarked, “As with this film, it’s hard to make independent films. A lot of things need to come together, and I’ve only opened this box. But I feel like I want to do more.”
14 Denzel Washington Gained Recognition For Directing After “Fences”
Denzel Washington has long been one of the most famous faces in Hollywood. Despite his popularity, however, his directing work wasn’t successful initially. In fact, many regarded “The Great Debaters” and “Antwone Fisher” as flops. Nonetheless, he didn’t give up. Washington eventually went on to direct and star in the 2016 Oscar-winning film “Fences.”
13 Elizabeth Banks Empowers Women Through Projects Such As “Charlie’s Angels”
Behind the scenes, actress Elizabeth Banks wants to send out a strong message of female empowerment. Aside from starring as Bosley in the 2019 film “Charlie’s Angels,” Banks also served as the film’s producer and director. While speaking with Independent, Banks remarked, “My hope is that more and more women get to do every job behind the camera.”
12 Jennifer Aniston Produces And Stars On “The Morning Show”
After co-founding Plan B Entertainment with ex-husband Brad Pitt, Jennifer Aniston went on to create the company Echo Films. Behind the scenes, she is credited as an executive producer for the Apple TV+ series “The Morning Show,” where she stars alongside Steve Carrell and Reese Witherspoon. Meanwhile, Aniston executive produced the film “Dumplin’,” where she also starred.
11 Reese Witherspoon Has Acting And Producing Credits In Critical Hits Like “Big Little Lies”
This list wouldn't be complete without mentioning Reese Witherspoon, an actress who is known for seamlessly working on screen and behind the scenes. Case in point is her work on the HBO drama “Big Little Lies,” which her company, Hello Sunshine, executive produced. Meanwhile, Witherspoon also produces and stars on “The Morning Show.”
10 Drew Barrymore’s Company Is Behind “Santa Clarita Diet”
For some time now, Golden Globe-winning actress Drew Barrymore has been busy running her production company, Flower Films. Over the years, Barrymore has served as an executive producer in films such as “He’s Just Not That Into You” and “Happy Camp.” Barrymore is also credited for producing the Netflix series “Santa Clarita Diet” and the 2019 film “Charlie’s Angels.”
9 Clint Eastwood Is The Director Behind Oscar-Winning Film “Million Dollar Baby”
Without a doubt, Clint Eastwood has one of the most successful careers in Hollywood today. Aside from being known for starring in films such as “Unforgiven” and “Escape from Alcatraz,” Eastwood also gained recognition for directing films such as “Flags of Our Fathers,” “Letters from Iwo Jima,” “Changeling,” “Invictus,” and, of course, the Oscar-winning film “Million Dollar Baby.”
8 Charlize Theron Produced And Won An Oscar For “Monster”
As you may know, this South African beauty won an Oscar for her performance in the 2003 film "Monster." Interestingly, Theron also served as a producer for the film. Today, her producer credits also include “Atomic Blonde,” “A Private War,” “Murder Mystery,” “Long Shot,” “The Addams Family,” “Hyperdrive,” and “Bombshell.”
7 Brad Pitt’s Plan B Entertainment Is Known For Producing “The Departed,” “A Mighty Heart,” And More
For years now, Brad Pitt and his company, Plan B Entertainment, have been responsible for producing some of the most popular films in Hollywood. These include “The Departed,” “World War Z,” “12 Years A Slave,” “A Mighty Heart,” “Fury,” “Moonlight,” “Selma,” and “Eat Pray Love.” Pitt also serves as a producer for upcoming films such as “Black Hole,” “Wrong Answer,” and “World War Z 2.”
6 Maisie Williams Is An Actress Turned Businesswoman Who Produced The Short Film “Stealing Silver”
The “Game of Thrones” actress launched her production company, Daisy Chain Productions, in 2017. She formed the company with actor Bill Milner and producer Dom Santry. So far, she has produced and starred in the short film “Stealing Silver.” While speaking with Screen Daily, Williams remarked, “I hope to give other creatives the opportunities that I was lucky enough to receive at the beginning of my career.”
5 George Clooney Directed Hits Such As “The Ides Of March” And “The Monuments Men”
Onscreen, George Clooney is known for films such as “Ocean’s Eleven,” “Intolerable Cruelty,” “Confessions of a Dangerous Mind,” “Burn After Reading,” “The American,” and many others. Behind the scenes, however, he has also been busy with some directing work. So far, his directing credits include “Good Night, and Good Luck,” “The Ides of March,” and “The Monuments Men.” What’s more, he’s also responsible for the screenplay for all three films.
4 Margot Robbie Starred In And Produced “I, Tonya”
Robbie’s production company is known as LuckyChap Entertainment. And while speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, she remarked, “I've spent the past ten years of my life on sets, and after a while, it's like, 'I want to have a say when I read a script that I really love, like I, Tonya. I don't want it to just be up to chance that it goes in the direction that I believe it should go.'”
3 Kerry Washington Is The Star And Producer Of “American Son”
Today, actress Kerry Washington has been hard at work behind the scenes. Several years ago, Washington set up the production company Simpson Street. And according to Elle, the company had signed a deal with ABC following its first HBO movie project, “Confirmation.” Meanwhile, Washington is also credited as an actor and executive producer in the film “American Son.”
2 Angelina Jolie Directed “First They Killed My Father”
For some time now, the Oscar-winning actress has been devoting a lot of time to work behind the camera. One of her most famous works is the 2017 film “First They Killed My Father,” which earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Foreign Language Film. Several years ago, Jolie also directed the 2012 film, “In the Land of Blood and Honey,” which earned a similar Golden Globe nomination.
1 Bradley Cooper Both Directed And Starred In “A Star Is Born”
Bradley Cooper is the creative genius behind the critically acclaimed 2018 film, “A Star is Born.” Here, Cooper became involved both onscreen and behind the scenes. Aside from being the lead star, Cooper is also the film’s screenwriter and director. “A Star Is Born” went on to score eight Oscar nominations and an Oscar win for Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Song).
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