Actors who have swapped on-camera for director's chair

With the news of Matt Damon's forthcoming directorial debut, a few other actors who have taken on the director's role.

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The news that Matt Damon is set to make his directorial debut with an as-yet-untitled drama about the downward spiral of a small-town salesman has us looking back at other actors who have stepped behind the camera.

Take Five... Ben Stiller

Critics may pan him for his inconsistent performances, but behind the camera, Stiller has delivered a mix of minor gems and blockbusters. In addition to the Gen X cult hit Reality Bites, Stiller proved he is also adept at directing big-budget fare such as Zoolander and Tropic Thunder.

Take Four... Clint Eastwood

Clint Eastwood has directed more than 30 films since 1971 but it is in the past two decades that his films have gained serious acknowledgement. He has won the Best Director Oscar twice - for Unforgiven and Million Dollar Baby - out of four nominations.

Take Three... Sean Penn

The method actor also brings his signature intensity behind the camera. His films, such as The Indian Runner, The Crossing Guard and Into the Wild, all contain troubled characters in a dark search for fulfilment. Penn has also directed music videos for country stars Shania Twain and Lyle Lovett.

Take Two... Danny DeVito

DeVito's darkly comic films are nowhere close to his zany, comic, on-screen performances. DeVito's films often have gallows humour, macabre and surreal plots as seen in Throw Momma from the Train and The War of the Roses.

Take One... Kevin Costner

After steadily building a career as a young, up-and-coming actor, it was his impressive 1990 directorial effort in the epic Western Dances with Wolves that propelled him to the A-list. However, his directing pedigree suffered a dire blow with his widely panned follow-up projects, Waterworld and The Postman.