Top 10 Iconic Actresses Who Became Directors
10 Iconic Actresses Who Became Directors
Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the glass-ceiling-smashing and trendsetting women performers who found cultural or box office success working behind the camera in the TV and film industry.
Kristen Stewart
From her breakthrough role in 2008’s “Twilight,” leading to her starring in the successful franchise for years, Stewart became a household name. Following her stint in the vampire saga, she was rarely not working on screen. And in 2025, she was there again. Only this time, Stewart was directing and writing. She adapted the memoir “The Chronology of Water” by Lidia Yuknavitch, with the film bearing the same title. As she’s detailed in interviews, when Stewart was first introduced to filmmaking by her mother, who also worked in the industry, she always wanted to direct. And if the critical reviews for “The Chronology of Water” are anything to go by, Stewart has all the potential to have a stellar career in the chair.
Penny Marshall
After vacuuming up Golden Globe nominations for her work in the TV show “Laverne & Shirley,” Marshall took the plunge in feature directing with 1986’s “Jumpin' Jack Flash.” After finding her feet in the role, she then became one of the best at it. On top of her work getting many Oscar nominations, Marshall reportedly became the first woman director to bring in over $100 million at the US box office with 1988’s “Big.” Speaking of that production, if it wasn’t for Marshall’s work in “Big” and 1992’s “A League of Their Own,” perhaps Tom Hanks might not have had his legendary career if it wasn’t for her. Sadly, in 2018, Marshall passed away, leaving behind a legacy any director would be jealous of.
Olivia Wilde
According to the “House” star, if it wasn’t for some of the questionable films she starred in during her career, Wilde wouldn’t have learnt how to be a great director by knowing how to speak to the cast and crew. After diving into the production role by directing short films and music videos for groups such as the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Wilde made her feature debut in the helm for the 2019 coming-of-age movie, “Booksmart.” With the production gaining many accolades, Wilde’s next project was 2022’s “Don't Worry Darling,” which she also acted in. While the production was overshadowed by backstage scandals, it was enough of a financial success to contribute to Wilde being installed as director for 2026’s “The Invite.”
Jodie Foster
As the recipient of two Oscars – so far –, it’d be fair to say that Foster is one of the greatest to grace the silver screen. Yet according to the performer, it wasn’t acting that was her first love but directing. With that invaluable industry experience under her belt, she took charge of her first feature film with 1991’s “Little Man Tate,” which she also acted in. While Foster struggled with mixed reviews and underwhelming box office incomes for her next productions with 1995’s “Home for the Holidays” and 2011’s “The Beaver,” she found her groove again by directing episodes in Netflix shows, including “Orange Is the New Black.” As such, she returned to the film chair with 2016’s “Money Monster,” which was a financial success.
Angelina Jolie
In 2022, to promote their work together for 2024’s “Without Blood,” Salma Hayek called Jolie “probably the best director” she’d worked with. Considering that list includes Steven Soderbergh, Ridley Scott, and Oliver Stone, this makes the praise for Jolie impressive! After getting her start with documentary directing, alongside an Oscar-winning performing career, Jolie moved into feature helming with 2011’s “In the Land of Blood and Honey.” This led to her directing 2014’s “Unbroken,” which not only received multiple Oscar nominations but was also a box office hit! Since then, Jolie has focused on smaller productions, still raking in positive reviews. Fun fact: had acting and being an auteur not worked out, Jolie would’ve been a different type of director, one in charge of funerals.
Elizabeth Banks
With a stellar career in comedy, Banks eventually reached a point when she felt frustrated, underused, and bored with the acting work coming her way. So, hoping to lead the charge for women to become auteurs, she stepped behind the camera for a segment in 2013’s “Movie 43.” Off to a rough start with one of the worst films of all time, Banks quickly turned it around with 2015’s “Pitch Perfect 2,” which she also acted in. This led to her directing and writing the new addition in the popular franchise, “Charlie's Angels,” in 2019. While the movie failed to capture the audience’s imagination, Banks’s work with 2023’s “Cocaine Bear” became a cultural phenomenon.
Maggie Gyllenhaal
With her mother and father having worked as film directors, you could see the role was in Gyllenhaal’s genes. The Golden Globe-winning and Oscar and Emmy-nominated actor got her feature directing start with 2021’s “The Lost Daughter.” Based on Elena Ferrante’s novel, not only was Gyllenhaal at the helm, but she also wrote and produced the film. The experience not only gave her the hope and desire that actors could be honest with her, but also allowed her to feel like a director. As far as debut films go, Gyllenhaal’s was a resounding success. Along with the critical praise and many accolades, the production was nominated for multiple Oscars and Golden Globes. Gyllenhaal will continue her directional rise with 2026’s “The Bride!”
Regina King
In possession of an Oscar, a Golden Globe, and multiple Emmys for her acting work, King is one of the monarchs of the industry. On top of starring in “Southland,” she was able to dip her toe into the directing world with an episode. This opened a door that led to King taking charge of many TV shows and films. Yet her biggest success came in 2020 with “One Night in Miami…” Based on Kemp Powers’s stage play, the movie received many accolades, including three nominations for both the Golden Globes and Oscars! Due to this, King established herself as a director that the industry should be watching for the future.
Barbra Streisand
Probably no entertainer has mastered as many crafts as Streisand. After dominating the music and acting worlds, in 1983, she became an auteur with “Yentl.” With Streisand acting, directing, writing, and producing the production, it was nominated for four Oscars, winning one. Yet the biggest feather in her cap was winning the Golden Globe for Best Director, becoming the first woman to do so! It didn’t even taper off for Streisand’s next production, 1991’s “The Prince of Tides,” which led to seven Oscar nominations. To date, her final directed film was 1996’s “The Mirror Has Two Faces.” This movie resulted in two Oscar nods and four Golden Globe nominations, with one win! Since then, Streisand has used her experience to encourage more women to direct.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
Drew Barrymore
From Child Actor to Award-Winning A-List Star, Barrymore Directed 2009’s “Whip It”
Anna Kendrick
Attached as an Actor to 2023’s “Woman of the Hour” Successfully Pitched Herself as Director
Eva Longoria
The TV Queen Earned an Oscar Nomination for Her Directing Debut With 2023’s “Flamin’ Hot”
Zoë Kravitz
A Director to Keep an Eye On, Kravitz Successfully Took the Helm for 2024’s “Blink Twice”
Debbie Allen
Prolific and Legendary, Allen Is an Award-Winning Inspiration for Black Women Directors
Greta Gerwig
Two years after her acting debut, Gerwig would co-direct her first production with 2008’s “Nights and Weekends.” An icon in the mumblecore genre, it took nine years for her to direct and write alone. And, boy, was it triumphant. 2017’s “Lady Bird” produced an eyewatering amount of praise, including five Oscar nominations and two Golden Globes! Next was 2019’s “Little Women.” This film earned six Oscar nods, winning one! This turned Gerwig into one of the most in-demand directors, leading to her taking charge of 2023’s “Barbie.” Not only was it a cultural and box office smash-hit, but it was also another Oscar success with seven nominations and one win! As such, Gerwig’s next production, 2026’s “Narnia: The Magician's Nephew,” is on everyone’s “must-watch” lists.
Which actress do you think would make a fantastic director who hasn’t had the chance yet? Let us know below!
