10 Actors Who Became Great Film Directors

Once best known for being the Laverne to Cindy Williams’ Shirley, Penny Marshall began as a television actress and established herself a successful career with solid and consistent film and television roles.

After being persuaded by her brother, Marshall began to exploit her interest in the artform by directing four episodes of Laverne And Shirley as well as a few other TV assignments. She then made her feature film directorial debut with “Jumpin' Jack Flash” when the original director dropped out.

This film was not well received but Marshall took the criticism on the chin and returned to direct Big in 1988, which became the first film directed by a woman to gross more than $100 million at the U.S. box office.