Top 10 Actors You Didn't Know Directed Episodes of Their Shows
#10: Jensen Ackles “Supernatural” (2005-2020)
As well as playing Dean Winchester in this action-fantasy series, Jensen Ackles made his directorial debut in the season six episode “Weekend at Bobby’s”. He directed a total of six episodes, with his last being “Atomic Monsters'' in the final season. Traditionally, his episodes would be shot early in the season, so that he could fully commit to the creative process, from location hunting to closely dissecting the script. By the time he directed his final episode, he had a good idea of what he still wanted to achieve, including an action-packed sequence which he created, directed, and starred in.
#9: Chandra Wilson “Grey’s Anatomy” (2005-)
From Kevin McKidd to Jesse Williams to Debbie Allen to even Meredith Grey herself, Ellen Pompeo, it seems like everyone has taken their turn at the helm. However, Chandra Wilson, who plays Dr. Miranda Bailey, has directed a whopping 20 episodes including one landmark occasion. She directed the show’s 332nd episode, “We Didn’t Start the Fire” in season 15, marking the moment “Grey’s Anatomy” became the longest-running medical drama series. While many actors compensate for the additional responsibility by having smaller roles on screen, Wilson didn’t shy away from her usual screen time and added plenty of Easter eggs for us as a bonus.
#8: Tracee Ellis Ross “Girlfriends” & Black-ish” (2000-08) & (2014- )
Ross made her directorial debut during the final season of “Girlfriends” back in 2008. About a decade later she would step back into the role, directing a season four episode of “Black-ish” called “Fifty-Three Percent” and later the season five episode, “Black History Month”. The latter served to educate audiences about the African-American pioneers, particularly women, who are often left out of history. She told “Variety” about the joy of directing guest star Octavia Spencer and the importance of using her personal perspective in telling this story. Speaking of the experience, she said, “I got to feel my style emerge, and it was really exciting.”
#7: Sophia Bush “One Tree Hill” (2003-12)
By the time “One Tree Hill” came to an end in 2012, Sophia Bush had dedicated a third of her life to playing Brooke Davis. She recalled bursting into tears when the producers bestowed upon her the honor and responsibility of directing the penultimate episode of the entire series. This would be her third time directing on the show. She said, “I knew it was the last chance that I was going to have to tell these stories and to honor these characters and to really show their relationships.” And she was determined to give them all the send-off they deserved.
#6: Ian Somerhalder “The Vampire Diaries” (2009-17)
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Following in the footsteps of his on-screen brother, Paul Wesley, Ian Somerhalder made his directorial debut in the season six episode, “The Downward Spiral”. Also like Wesley, he would total three directing credits during his stint as Damon Salvatore. While some actors find directing themselves a little strange, Somerhalder said that he’d “never been happier” and calls the whole experience one of his greatest challenges. When asked how it feels to be in charge, he simply stated that there can’t be one boss, when it’s a team effort to make the “vision come alive on the screen.”
#5: Jennifer Garner “Alias” (2001-06)
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Before making it big on the silver screen, Jennifer Garner got her break in the action-thriller series, “Alias”. She played international spy, Sydney Bristow, during the show’s five-season run, and even tried her hand at directing the season four episode “In Dreams...”. Garner strived to do all her homework ahead of this new challenge but still found that there was some learning on the job involved as well. In fact, she even admitted that she would occasionally forget to call “action”. She had to resort to writing it on a bit of tape and sticking it to the monitor as a reminder.
#4: David Schwimmer “Friends” (1994-2004)
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Before rising to stardom as Ross Geller on “Friends”, David Schwimmer had dipped his toes in the directing pool on numerous occasions. He brought that expertise and experience to the show for the first time in the season six episode, “The One on the Last Night”. And by the time the show concluded in 2004, he had directed a total of 10 episodes including “The One with the Red Sweater” and “The One with the Birth Mother”. Of course, his directorial credits didn’t end there, and he even reunited with Matt LeBlanc when he directed a couple of episodes of the spin-off show, “Joey”.
#3: Mindy Kaling “The Office” (2005-13)
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While B.J. Novak, John Krasinski, and Steve Carell all had their turns working their magic behind the cameras, we have to talk about Mindy Kaling. As well as playing Kelly Kapoor, she wrote 22 episodes, was a staff writer on five more, and was also an executive producer for this multi-award-winning show. On top of that, she also directed two of its episodes… talk about a quadruple threat! It was in the season six episode “Body Language” that she added director to her job title. And She later returned for a second gig in “Michael’s Last Dundies,” during season seven.
#2: Stephanie Beatriz “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” (2013-)
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Although “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” is usually known for its upbeat and lighthearted content, the show doesn’t shy away from serious subjects, either. In season six, it addressed the #MeToo movement, with Stephanie Beatriz, who plays Rosa Diaz, making her directorial debut. Writing for “Glamour'' she divulged that the only thing scarier than asking to direct is being given the green light! Ultimately, she found the experience challenging, scary, and rewarding and paid tribute to her talented castmates. Beatriz did an excellent job of maintaining the tone of a typical “Nine-Nine” episode, while giving the poignant moments all the respect they deserve. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Hugh Laurie, “House” (2004-12) The show’s Star Was Honored to Direct an Episode Amy Poehler, “Parks and Recreation” (2009-15) Of Course, Leslie Knope Herself Would Want to Take the Helm Mary Tyler Moore, “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” (1970-77) Her One and Only Time in the Show’s Director’s Chair Jon Hamm, “Mad Men” (2007-15) Somehow Don Draper Fit Directing Two Episodes Into His Busy Schedule Shannen Doherty, “Charmed” (1998-2006) She Directed Three Episodes, Including the Season Three Finale
#1: Neil Patrick Harris “How I Met Your Mother” (2005-14)
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Neil Patrick Harris made his directorial debut in the season five episode “Jenkins”... or, as you may know it, the episode that makes you want to take a shot whenever you hear someone say “but um.” He described the experience as enjoyable, but admits that directing himself was quite a challenge. Well, we all know what a handful Barney can often be! So if you thought things were a bit quieter with Barney on the sidelines, now you know why. Harris called the experience “equal parts overwhelm, education, and exhilaration”. But if you ask us, it was “legen...wait for it… dary”.
