10 Genre Directors Who Stepped Out Of Their Field (And Failed)

The rise and transition (rather than fall) of Tom Shadyac is one of the most curious in recent Hollywood history. For all intents and purposes, Shadyac truly had a terrific existence. As unfulfilling though it may have been spiritually, he truly led an exciting life.

He started as an actor in episodes of shows such as Magnum P.I. and the teen comedy Jocks before landing his first major feature: some vehicle for a comedian on In Living Colour. But both Shadyac and Jim Carrey were swinging for the fences with Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, a film that secured their working relationship through Liar Liar and Bruce Almighty. None of his films were masterpieces, but they were surefire box office gold.

But after suffering a concussion in a 2007 bicycling accident, Shadyac suddenly sold the bulk of his possessions, donated significant amounts of money and opened up a homeless shelter. He goes over his motivations, all of which seem noble, for this drastic lifestyle change, but it appears Shadyac was already headed in that direction.

"I was already reevaluating the dissonance between making all this money and being on the set with people, the crew, many of whom couldn't afford the basic needs of their families. It didn't seem fair to me," he said.

That would explain 2002's Dragonfly, a film that toys with the supernatural but ultimately dwells on the sappy, bittersweet musings of a near-death experience. It may have a 7 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes, but it seems oddly prescient now.