20 TV stars you didn’t know directed episodes of their series

Is there anything Ayo Edebiri can’t do? The rising star is constantly proving herself capable of more and more, including directing. She made her directorial debut in 2024 through an episode of The Bear, and she was, unsurprisingly, met with much acclaim. 

Bryan Cranston is a storyteller extraordinaire. The Breaking Bad, Malcolm in the Middle, and Your Honor star directed episodes of each of his hit series while starring in them, and he’s got credits for directing episodes of Modern Family and The Office. 

John Krasinski is well on his way to becoming a major director after the success of his projects like The Hollars and A Quiet Place, but before he had those credits, he was working out the kinks with a few episodes of The Office. All three came in the last four seasons of the series. 

Mindy Kaling had a similar experience to John Krasinski on The Office. After writing for and acting in the series, she got the chance to direct a couple of episodes. The role must not have been Kaling’s favorite thing to do because she hasn’t directed for any of her series since. 

After Tate Donovan exited as a main character on The O.C., he stuck around to direct an episode. Since then, he’s directed episodes of several popular shows, including Gossip Girl, Weeds, Glee, Nip/Tuck, and 30 for 30.

Troian Bellisario earned her first directing credit when she got behind the camera for an episode of the final season of Pretty Little Liars after starring in the entire series. She clearly took to the work because she’s continued directing ever since, including the podcast series Ad Lucem. 

In front of the camera, Chandra Wilson is known as Dr. Miranda Bailey on Grey’s Anatomy , but behind the camera, she’s known as a director. Wilson has directed quite a few episodes of the hit medical drama, and she must be tight with Shonda Rhimes because she’s directed episodes of Scandal, too. 

Chandra Wilson isn’t the only Grey’s Anatomy star who’s put in work behind the camera. Ellen Pompeo directed a couple of episodes of the series after well over 10 years of starring in the show. 

If you’re a popular character on a hit show, it’s probably not out of the realm of possibility that you can direct an episode of the series. Such was the case for David Schwimmer, who got to direct multiple Friends episodes after starring for years as Ross. 

Neil Patrick Harris is a multi-talented man. The How I Met Your Mother star took to directing for an episode of the series. He’s only got two other direct credits, but NPH has also written and created a TV series. 

The wildly talented Hugh Laurie starred as the eponymous doctor on House for eight seasons. During that time, Laurie directed two episodes of the series. He later went on to direct some episodes of the series Why Didn’t They Ask Evans?

An Emmy-winning actress, Julie Bowen is clearly good at what she does. But there’s no hurt in trying a new skill. After multiple seasons of starring in Modern Family, Bowen contributed to the series in a different way by directing a couple of episodes. 

Amy Poehler is an absolute queen. While starring in Parks and Recreation, quite possibly her funniest role to date, Poehler also directed three episodes of the series. And she directed and acted in the movie Wine Country. See? A queen. 

Speaking of funny, Nick Offerman took a turn in the director’s chair while starring in Parks and Recreation. Unlike his costar, Offerman didn’t go on to direct anything else. 

Lamorne Morris was making sure to fit in as much funny as possible before New Girl ended. In the final season of the show, the comedic actor directed an episode. It’s his only directing credit to date. 

Milo Ventimiglia didn’t just star in This Is Us. The actor also directed some episodes. This just means that Ventimiglia was responsible for making audiences cry through his acting and directing. 

Lots of comedic actors have given direction a go on the set of their hit TV show. Jason Alexander directed three different episodes of Seinfeld during its run. He’s directed episodes of multiple series since, as well as a music video. 

Jason Bateman has directed himself in multiple series he’s starred in. It began with the TV show Valerie and continued with series like Arrested Development and Ozark. Bateman even took home his first-ever Emmy award for his direction of Ozark. 

Melissa Fumero is another sitcom actor to have directed an episode of her show. While starring in Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Fumero racked up her second directing credit. She’s lent her directorial talents to multiple comedies since, including Grand Crew and Not Dead Yet. 

In addition to creating, writing, and starring in Atlanta, Donald Glover also directed multiple episodes of the series. He later directed an episode of Mr. & Mrs. Smith, which he also created and wrote and starred in. There’s no questioning what Glover’s capable of.