Photoplayer Hater

Some actors don't just wait for roles to fall into their lap. These actors do much more than just let their agents find them work, they go out and produce projects for themselves to be in. An actor could do worse than to follow in the footsteps of these acting giants.

Warren Beatty

From "Bonnie and Clyde" to "Bulworth". He was an avid producer of film projects that he acted in.

Drew Barrymore

From "Charlie's Angels" to "Fever Pitch", she often takes an active interest in the making of pictures she's in. She also, along with Nancy Juvonen, formed a production company Flower Films that produces films she stars in.

Kevin Costner

Since "Dances With Wolves", a film he also directed, Costner has been personally involved in putting together projects for him to act in. With Tig Productions they mostly produced films he would act in but not exclusively. Recently he's started a new production company, Treehouse Films, that produced "Swing Vote" and other films for him to act in or direct.

Mel Gibson

From "Braveheart" forward Mel Gibson has taken his career in his own hands and put his efforts not just toward acting but also creating projects, mostly not for him to act in. Along with his Icon Pictures production company, he has produced films for him to star in but more often films like "Apocalypto" and "The Passion of the Christ" that he simply directs.

Tom Hanks

Beginning with "Cast Away" Hanks has taken a more proactive stance on his career as an actor and also became a producer. Along with his wife, Rita Wilson, their Playtone Company produced "My Big Fat Greek Wedding", the 2008 film adaptation of the stage hit "Mamma Mia!", and "Charlie Wilson's War".

Tom Cruise

Not just a pretty boy anymore, with the Cruise-Wagner Productions company he runs with Paula Wagner he has produced the "Mission Impossible" films as well as movies that he did not act in.

Danny DeVito

With the prolific production company Jersey Films, Danny DeVito has made opportunities for himself as well as others. From "Hoffa" to "Freedom Writers" and the TV show "Reno 911!" he has his hands in many different areas.

George Clooney

Recently closing the Section Eight production company, responsible for the "Ocean's" movies along with others, Clooney has created Smoke House which recently produced "Leatherheads" which he directed and starred in.

Jodie Foster

Not satisfied with only acting, Foster both directs and produces films. With her Egg Pictures production company she produced movies like "Nell" and "The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys."

Robert DeNiro

By creating TriBeCa Productions, along with producer Jane Rosenthal, Robert DeNiro helps his acting career by putting together projects to act in. He's also a co-founder of the annual Tribeca Film Festival in New York City. From "Cape Fear" to "The Good Shepherd" they've produced films for him to star in and even direct.

This list only scratches the surface, there are countless more actors that produce or have production companies working for them. The point is that acting success doesn't always lie in waiting for others to choose you, but sometimes from you making things happen instead.