The Iranian hostage crisis drama Argo, directed by Ben Affleck, opened in theaters this weekend to strong reviews. Though it’s not Ben Affleck’s first time behind the camera, its success and acclaim make a good case that Affleck is serious about this whole directing thing.
Affleck, Clint Eastwood, and George Clooney are among the names that come to mind when you think of current actors turned directors, but the transition to the director’s chair has a storied history. Entertainment Weekly compiled a great list of actors who later directed films — or did both at the same time. There are a few surprises (Peter Berg was an actor?) and a couple that wouldn’t immediately come to mind.
Time will tell if Ben Affleck enters the same esteem as Orson Welles, but this list invites some fun comparisons. It might be the only place where Ed Wood is compared with Kenneth Branagh.