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Comedians-Turned-Directors Dominate Hollywood's Biggest Hits
25 Aug
Summary
- Comedians like Mel Brooks, Jordan Peele, and Amy Poehler found success as directors
- Christopher Guest's ensemble casts created some of the most quotable movies
- Judd Apatow is one of the most successful comedy directors in recent decades
In the past few decades, many of Hollywood's most acclaimed directors have made the transition from comedy to filmmaking. Legendary comedic talents like Mel Brooks, who has been making movies for an astonishing seven decades, have reinvented the genre with classics like The Producers, Blazing Saddles, and Young Frankenstein.
Another notable example is Jordan Peele, who first gained fame through his sketch comedy show Key and Peele before becoming one of the premier horror directors in modern Hollywood with films like Get Out. Similarly, Amy Poehler, known for her work on Saturday Night Live and Parks & Recreation, directed her first movie, Wine Country, in 2019.
Beyond just directing, some comedians have found success by assembling talented ensemble casts for their films. Christopher Guest, for instance, has created some of the most quotable movies of all time, like Waiting for Guffman and Best in Show, by giving his fellow cast members great creative freedom.
In recent years, Judd Apatow has emerged as one of the most successful comedy directors, writing, producing, and directing hits like The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Knocked Up, and This Is 40. His influence on the genre has been immense, with many of the comedies he's produced or co-created becoming modern classics.
