If you haven’t heard by now, Jon Hamm will be directing an episode in the next season of Mad Men. This, of course, begs the question; how will he do? Television actors often get opportunities to direct episodes of their shows. However, it’s often just for a few episodes, and they spend the rest of their careers in front of the camera. 
It’s true that Hamm doesn’t have any directing experience, or much experience behind the camera at all (aside from a set dresser gig for a soft core pornography shoot early in his career). But other TV actors before him have found opportunities to direct, and many have managed to turn those into successful directing careers. Examples? We thought you’d never ask:
Ron Howard began his career at the age of five with the role of Opie in the Andy Griffith Show*. He developed a strong name for himself as an actor, and went on to star in American Graffiti and Happy Days*. Then, in 1977, he directed Grand Theft Auto, which became a huge commercial success. For a while, Howard kept directing and acting, but in the 80s he stopped acting to focus on directing. Several of his films have won Oscars, including Cocoon, Apollo 13*, Frost/Nixon, and A Beautiful Mind. He’s one of the best examples of an actor turned director, but he did show an early interest in directing as he directed three short films when he was fifteen.
Penny Marshall didn’t show any such inclination towards directing before she directed an episode of Laverne and Shirley. She played the role of Shirley, her first starring role. She decided to take a chance on directing after other television actors, such as Ron Howard and her husband, Rob Reiner, found success transitioning to directing. It worked out for her. In 1986, she directed the feature film Jumpin’ Jack Flash, then went on to direct several other successful films. She was the first woman to direct a film to gross over $100 million with her hit feature, Big*.
Paul Michael Glaser became famous for his role as Starsky on the police show Starsky and Hutch*. While acting in the show, he got the opportunity to direct five episodes. Once the series ended, he directed films such as The Running Man, The Air Up There, Kazaam, as well as televisions shows such as Miami Vice* and Judging Amy. Part of Glaser’s success can be attributed to his range of artistic talents. As well as actor and director, he is also a photographer, poet and children’s book author.
Though Robert Redford‘s acting career is most notable on film, he started in television. He had roles in shows like The Untouchables, Perry Mason*, and the Twilight Zone* before he was able to start landing films. In 1980, while he was still a hugely bankable name as an actor, he directed Ordinary People. This film won him the Oscar for Best Director. He went on to direct other hit films including The Horse Whisperer, The Legend of Bagger Vance, and Lions for Lambs.
It will be interesting to see where this directing experience takes Hamm. Before now he hasn’t displayed any real interest in directing, so this could just be a passing interest. But Clint Eastwood didn’t start directing until he was 41, well after he had established an acting career. So who knows? Maybe forty years from now we’ll have to be reminded that Jon Hamm acted before he directed.
*Available for free or on Netflix Instant Watch.
