10 Actors Who Became Awesome Directors

For almost 30 years before he picked up a camera, Richard Attenborough carved out a highly respected acting career for himself both in film and theatre.

He came to prominence with his unforgettable performance as criminal Pinkie Brown in 1947's Brighton Rock, and in later years was best remembered for his work in The Great Escape, The Flight of the Phoenix, Jurassic Park, and Miracle on 34th Street.

Attenborough made his directorial debut in 1969 with the well-received musical comedy Oh! What a Lovely War, which he followed up with the acclaimed likes of A Bridge Too Far, Magic, and in 1982, his towering opus Gandhi, for which he won Best Picture and Best Director Oscars.

Though Attenborough's career never reached the same heights again, in subsequent years his films Cry Freedom and especially Shadowlands re-affirmed just how skilled he was at working with actors.