Behind The Lense: Actors Turned Director
With the news that Ryan Gosling would like to work behind the camera and try his hand at directing, we take a look at the most successful on-screen stars who've gone behind the lens.
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1. Ryan Gosling
Ryan Gosling takes the hot seat in his directorial debut of 'Lost Rivers'. The actor-turned-director has swapped front of camera and stepped behind the lens in most recent project which follows the broken American dream in Detroit. Starring 'Mad Men's Christina Hendricks and 'Dr Who's' Matt Smith, as well as the mother of Gosling's child Eva Mendes. The movie is dark and soulful in tone, as you might expect from the 'Drive' actor, and is hits cinemas now.
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2. Daniel Radcliffe
The 25-year-old 'Harry Potter' star has revealed to film industry magazine Variety that he'd love to become a director. "I would love to direct. I do it in my head when I'm watching other directors direct. 'No, don't say that to them!' I think I'm quite good with people." said the star, "Part of being a director is knowing how different actors work in different ways. I'd enjoy it."
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3. Angelina Jolie
Angelina Jolie has spoken about giving up acting and solely dedicating herself to directing and doing humanitarian work. The mum of six directed her first piece, a documentary, in 2007. She went on to direct 'In The Land Of Blood And Honey' in 2011, has just completed 'Unbroken' and is now directing a romantic drama, 'By The Sea', in which she stars with her partner Brad Pitt.
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4. George Clooney
These days Gorgeous George is more likely to be found behind the camera than in front. The star has directed several successful films, including this year's 'Monument Men', 'The Ides Of March', 'Good Night, and Good Luck.', 'Leatherheads' and his very first, 2002's 'Confessions Of A Dangerous Mind'.
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5. Ben Affleck
A master of all trades, Ben Affleck's 'Argo' won an Best Film Oscar in 2013. He also directed 'Gone Baby Gone' and 'The Town'.
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6. Drew Barrymore
Drew Barrymore debuted her talent behind the camera in 2004 with TV film documentary 'Choose or Lose Presents: The Best Place to Start' and in 2009 she directed her first feature length film, 'Whip It', starring Ellen Page.
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7. Clint Eastwood
Clint Eastwood is one of the most successful actors/directors in the world. His films always bag awards, such as the Oscar winning 'Million Dollar Baby'. He's also directed 'Invictus', 'Gran Torino', 'Changeling' and 'Mystic River' among others.
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8. Kevin Costner
Kevin Costner's directorial debut was in 1990 with the box office smash hit 'Dances With Wolves'. He went on to direct more films, including 'Waterworld', 'The Postman' and 'Open Range'.
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9. Tom Hanks
The Oscar winning actor has worked behind the camera on 'Larry Crowne' and 'That Thing You Do!'. He's also directed TV shows.
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10. Jodie Foster
Foster has directed episodes of successful TV shows 'House Of Cards' and 'Orange Is The New Black' along with films such as 'Little Man Tate', 'The Beaver' and 'Home For The Holidays'.
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11. Robert Redford
Redford is more likely to be found behind the camera these days. He has several films under his belt, including 'The Horse Whisperer', 'Ordinary People' and 'The Company You Keep'.
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12. Lena Dunham
The creator, writer and star of 'Girls' has directed several episodes of the TV show and also a full length feature, 'Tiny Furniture'.
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13. Ben Stiller
'Zoolander', 'Tropic Thunder' and 'The Cable Guy' are just some of the comedies directed by Ben Stiller.
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14. Sofia Coppola
Sofia Coppola started out her career as an actress with small roles in several films, including her father Francis Ford Coppola's 'The Godfather III'. She's now best known as the director of 'The Virgin Suicides' and 'The Bling Ring'.
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15. Courtney Cox
'Friends' star Courtney Cox directed film 'Just Before I Go' this year and episodes of 'Cougar Town' the TV show she stars in.
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16. Ron Howard
Ron Howard first found fame as Richie Cunningham in the hugely popular TV show 'Happy Days'. After hanging out with The Fonz on set for 10 years, he decided to take up directing. Howard is one of the most successful directors around now, with huge movies under his belt, such as 'Frost/Nixon', 'The Da Vinci Code', 'Apollo 13' and 'A Beautiful Mind' to name a few.
