Not very long ago, actors in Hollywood eventually moved to production. That career transition has taken a hike recently with actors preferring to direct their own films instead. Ryan Gosling is all set to make his directorial debut with How to Catch a Monster while Man of Tai Chi will mark Keanu Reeves' entry as a director and The Water Diviner will do the same for Russell Crowe. hitlist looks at a few male actors who are more than willing to wield the microphone for a change...

Mel Gibson

Acting debut: Summer City (1977)
Directorial debut: The Man Without a Face (1993)
Notables: Before this Australian actor went into a downward spiral thanks to his personal problems, he directed two highly fascinating films within a span of four years — The Passion of the Christ (2004) and Apocalypto (2006). Both were critically appreciated.