Buzz
A calling is something that beckons, a pull towards purpose that can be elusive. The universe doesn’t issue clear instructions for life’s direction, and those who stray from their intended course often find it takes time to discover where they truly belong. Some people discover their path quickly, dedicating themselves to their craft with passion and discipline, while others may wander through different experiences before settling on their calling. Many directors have entered filmmaking after exploring other fields. Here are ten of these individuals who made their way to the director's chair through unexpected journeys.
10 Mel Gibson
Mel Gibson is widely known not only for his controversies but also for his iconic roles, such as the tough cop in Lethal Weapon and the heroic William Wallace in Braveheart, the latter of which he directed and won two Oscars for. In recent years, Gibson has moved away from acting to focus on directing, with films like The Passion of the Christ achieving massive box-office success despite its religious themes. Even though he occasionally steps in front of the camera, his directorial talent is undeniable, even when public opinion of him may be mixed.
9 David Lynch
David Lynch, a man of many talents, initially harbored a deep passion for painting. He pursued studies in the art at the Boston School of the Museum of Fine Arts and the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, the latter of which sparked his most profound inspiration, while the former left him less moved. Despite his efforts, including an unsuccessful trip to Europe to train under an impressionistic painter, he realized his true calling lay in bringing his artwork to life. This led to his collaboration with an animator on his first short film, 'Six Men Getting Sick.' Beyond visual arts, Lynch has delved into music and photography, composing numerous film scores with Angelo Badalamenti and showcasing his work in galleries. His multimedia project, 'Dark Night of the Soul,' a collaboration with Danger Mouse and Sparklehorse, combines his photography, music, and contributions from several guest artists.
8 Rob Zombie
Rob Zombie was once the mastermind behind the demented, grunge-metal sound of White Zombie, where he explored hyper-violent and disturbing themes. Today, he brings those same dark elements to the screen as a filmmaker, known for his intense, graphic films like 'House of 1000 Corpses,' 'The Devil’s Rejects,' and his remakes of 'Halloween.' Not only does he direct, but he also produces the music, creating a world of undead horror fueled by blood and indulgent self-expression. As long as his fans share his macabre visions, he will likely continue to carve his own bloody path in entertainment.
7 Ron Howard
Before he became a renowned filmmaker, earning Oscars for films like 'Apollo 13,' 'A Beautiful Mind,' 'Cinderella Man,' and 'The Da Vinci Code,' Ron Howard was known to TV audiences as Opie Taylor and Richie Cunningham. He was often cast as the sweet, innocent ginger boy, a role that seemed to define him as an actor. However, behind the camera, he showed a new side, commanding great visual style and depth—qualities not acquired by simply roughing up the camera. Meanwhile, other TV stars like The Fonz met an untimely end in 'Scream,' and Don Knotts remained a permanent fixture in sitcom history.
6 Duncan Jones
Duncan Jones, also known as Zowie Bowie and the son of legendary musician David Bowie, made a deliberate choice not to follow in his father's footsteps. Rather than pursuing a musical career, he earned a degree in philosophy and even considered a PhD before ultimately turning to film school. Today, he is recognized as a talented filmmaker, acclaimed for his sci-fi film 'Moon' and the time-travel thriller 'Source Code.' His unconventional path and unique perspective can undoubtedly be linked to his father, the iconic and enigmatic 'King of Weird.'
5 Kevin Smith
Before his ventures into low-budget films with muddled storylines and commercial romantic comedies aimed at mainstream success, Kevin Smith was a comic book enthusiast. A regular at conventions, Smith fulfilled his childhood dream by contributing to various comic book series, including Marvel's 'Daredevil.' In addition to penning stories for established characters, he created his own and adapted comic versions of his iconic duo, Jay and Silent Bob. He also co-created an animated TV series that had a brief run. While 'Clerks' and 'Dogma' became critical and cult classics, Smith announced his retirement from filmmaking after the release of 'Red State,' a film that blends comic culture, religious extremism, and subversive filmmaking—all fueled by true passion rather than the greed often associated with Hollywood.
4 Terry Gilliam
Terry Gilliam, the mind behind surreal masterpieces like 'Brazil,' 'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas,' and 'The Fisher King,' began his creative journey in animation before making the leap to live-action filmmaking. He was originally a cartoonist and children’s animator, working alongside future Monty Python members. It was with Monty Python’s Flying Circus that Gilliam became the show's animator and primary visual architect, crafting the distinctive style of its comedic sketches. As co-director and animator for 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail,' he honed his craft in feature filmmaking. Over time, Gilliam’s vision grew even more eccentric, shifting from his early historical satire to more imaginative, unrestrained storytelling. His progression as a filmmaker, in many ways, was a return to a childlike sense of wonder.
3. Frank Oz
With a name like Oz, it’s impossible not to invoke fantasy and a touch of the unbelievable. Before stepping behind the camera to direct films like 'The Dark Crystal' (with Jim Henson) and 'The Muppets Take Manhattan,' Frank Oz was already a muppet himself. He voiced and brought to life iconic characters such as Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Animal, Grover, Cookie Monster, Bert, and of course, Yoda from 'Star Wars.' In looking at his photo, it’s easy to see why he was a master of puppetry—he often seemed more muppet than man. Moving into directing, Oz’s films have mostly leaned toward light-hearted comedies, showcasing his natural silliness. His directorial credits include 'Dirty Rotten Scoundrels,' 'What About Bob?,' 'Bowfinger,' a remake of 'The Stepford Wives,' and 'Death at a Funeral.' Though he remains ever the whimsical soul, Oz’s journey from manipulating felt figures to directing features shows how far he’s come from his goofy, puppet-making days.
2 Michel Gondry
Michel Gondry, a master of quirky, DIY filmmaking, didn’t always direct offbeat indie films. He was once the drummer for a band called Oui Oui, for whom he also crafted clever animated music videos. It was no surprise when he transitioned into directing music videos for some of the biggest names in music, including the White Stripes, Radiohead, Beck, Foo Fighters, the Rolling Stones, and Daft Punk. His creative genius fit seamlessly into his feature films, such as 'The Science of Sleep' and 'Be Kind, Rewind,' as well as in his collaborations with Charlie Kaufman on 'Human Nature' and 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.' Michel Gondry has proven time and again that he marches to the beat of his own drum, quite literally and figuratively.
1. Tim Burton
Tim Burton’s imagination has always been a little different, often manifesting in places where others couldn’t see it. His creative spark first appeared in a pencil-drawn animated short titled 'Stalk of the Celery Monster,' which caught Disney’s attention. Burton was brought on as an animator and conceptual artist, though his dark, death-obsessed style clashed with Disney’s more cheerful tone. Undeterred, he went on to create films true to his own gothic vision, including the Vincent Price-narrated short 'Vincent' (which foreshadowed the imagery and stop-motion animation that would become central to 'The Nightmare Before Christmas'). With two mediums already mastered, it wasn’t long before Burton’s distinctive visual storytelling took over the world of live-action cinema, where his macabre imagination flourished in films like 'Edward Scissorhands,' 'Ed Wood,' 'Batman,' and 'Beetlejuice.' While his recent remakes may not hold the same magic, these masterpieces prove that Burton thrives when he dives deep into the weirdest, darkest corners of his mind.
