For some, acting in big movies may seem like the ultimate dream. But for a few talented actors, being behind the scenes is just as rewarding.
This Christmas, Homeland star Tracy Letts will take a break from playing smug Sen. Andrew Lockheart on the Showtime series and instead showcase his screenwriting skills when August: Osage County hits theatres nationwide.
"I always wanted to see it turned into a film, and I wanted to be the one who worked on it," the actor-playwright explained to the Huffington Post. "It's still a valuable film."
Letts isn't the only talented actor who has stepped away from the camera at some point in his career.
Justin Theroux, who has appeared in memorable flicks including Charlie's Angels, Zoolander and Miami Vice, recently focused his energy on scripts when he wrote for both Tropic Thunder and Iron Man 2.
Also, The Office star John Krasinski turned David Foster Wallace's 1999 short-story collection into a feature film titled Brief Interviews With Hideous Men.
With awards season upon us and plenty of great movies in theatres now, we're taking a look at some talented actors who've written incredible screenplays.