10 Greatest Actors Turned Directors

Now with four hit movies and a Best Picture Oscar under his belt, it’s hard to remember that, around 15 years ago, Ben Affleck was pretty much a punchline. Ridiculed on South Park and late night shows for his terrible movie choices and wide open personal life, it didn’t seem like there was any way back for the formerly acclaimed screenwriter and actor.

Then came Gone Baby Gone, a hardboiled and distinctive thriller that shut critics up with remarkable efficiency. Affleck made the smart choice to stay strictly behind the camera here, allowing Casey Affleck, Michelle Monaghan, and Amy Ryan to shine.

He’d show no such restraint for his next films, but not to their detriment - he turns in some of his best performances in The Town and Argo, showing subtlety that seemed to have deserted him. It was an impressive triple bill, with Affleck exhibiting greater ambition and confidence in his skills with each subsequent film.

His fourth, Live By Night, was a setback - not a bad film by any means, but a notable box office flop. Still, Affleck’s directorial career is yet young, and at this point you’d bet on his next movie to be a belter.