8 Actors Who Also Write Screenplays

Perhaps not surprisingly, there are many actors who also write screenplays.  Here's our roundup of several notable actor-screenwriters:

• John Cusack

  This talented actor also wrote the screenplay adaptation of Nick Hornby’s “High Fidelity,” and he wrote the classic “Gross Point Blank.”

• John Francis Daley

  John Francis Daley went from acting on “Freaks and Geeks" to FOX’s “Bones” and co-wrote the hit comedy “Horrible Bosses” as well as “Burt Wonderstone” starring Steve Carrell.

• Thomas Lennon

  Thomas Lennon created Comedy Central’s "Reno 911," and you've seen him in movies such as “Hancock,” “17 Again,” and “I Love You Man.” But did you know he wrote such huge movies as: “Taxi,” “The Pacifier,” “Herbie Fully Loaded,” “Let’s Go to Prison,” “Night at the Museum,” and “Balls of Fury.”  Lennon and his writing partner Robert Ben Garant also have authored a terrific book on the subject of screenwriting titled: “Writing Movies for Fun and Profit.”

• Emma Thompson

  DID YOU KNOW? Emma Thompson won the 1995 Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay for the Jane Austen film adaptation “Sense and Sensibility,” and she was nominated for Best Actress in the movie too. She also wrote “Nanny Mcphee” for nine years, and she wrote the sequel too!  Here's a full interview with Emma Thompson on Screenwriting.

• Kristin Wiig

  Kristen Wiig wrote the blockbuster comedy "Bridesmaids" which launched a newfound awareness of the power of female-driven comedies at the box office.  She also wrote SNL's TV movie "A Very Gilly Christmas."  Just one more reason to love her!

• Owen Wilson

  Owen Wilson has written and has starred in several Wes Anderson films, including “The Royal Tenenbaums!"

• Paul Rudd

  Paul Rudd wrote the comedy hit “Role Models” with his Wet Hot American Summer friends, and went on to create the Starz series “Party Down.”

• Seth Rogen

  Seth Rogen started his career early - at the ripe old age of thirteen, in face! He wrote the script with his childhood friend Evan Goldberg, whom he met at bar mitzvah class. Seth has written “Pineapple Express” and “The Green Hornet.”

Did we miss any?  Let us know in the comments below!