Actors have been known to branch out to other creative roles while starring in a television series. Whether it's in writing or directing, it is always great for fans to see them transition from being in front of the camera to behind it. Some actors also start out as writers and get connected to the characters they created and know they can bring them to life with an amazing performance.
Countless actors who started out on screen have gone onto write, create and star in their own series, while other actors grew into the role of a writer after being on the show for some time. All of these actors are immensely talented and that talent comes through in both their writing and performances.
Chris Colfer - Glee
Chris Colfer's debut role as Kurt on Glee was monumental for his career. Not only was it his first notable acting role, but it also played a huge part in his writing career as well since he wrote the 19th episode of the fifth season of Glee.
The episode focuses on Kurt feeling like he lacks support from his friends, as well as Rachel struggling with being called a slacker and Santana wanting to protect her public image. According to an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Colfer was nervous about writing for the show but ended up loving the story he was able to create with director Brad Falchuk. While he hasn't written for a television series since Glee, Colfer wrote a series of children's books called The Land of Stories which are widely positively reviewed.
Tina Fey - SNL, 30 Rock, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Tina Fey is known for being an amazing comedy writer. With her roots at SNL, it was inevitable that she was going to be writing wherever she headed after leaving the show. Fey created, wrote, and starred in 30 Rock from 2006 to 2013 for the show's entire run.
Additionally, she also created and wrote Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. In the series, she played prosecutor Marcia Clark and psychiatrist Andrea Bayden and wrote nine episodes of the series. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt was relatively popular and Fey's comedic expertise is a huge reason for the show's success.
Nick Offerman - Parks And Rec & Axe Cop
Nick Offerman is a hilarious comedian but his role as Ron Swanson on Parks and Recreation was one of his funniest and best roles. Offerman wrote "Lucky," the 18th episode of the fourth season. The episode focuses on Leslie's campaign for the city council being jeopardized after doing an interview slightly drunk. It's a highly rated episode of the fourth season and full of hilarious moments.
Offerman also wrote three episodes of the animated series Axe Cop, where he voiced the titular character. Offerman's last writing credit is a television special back in 2017 and according to his IMDb profile, it is clear he is currently focusing on acting rather than writing.
Lena Waithe - Master Of None
Lena Waithe is an inspirational and successful woman in the entertainment industry. She started out on Master Of None as the supporting character, Denise, but in the most recent season of the show, she takes control as the main focus of the season.
Waithe acted as a co-executive producer and a writer for the series as well. She wrote the episode "Thanksgiving" in the second season of the show and all five episodes of the show's most recent season. Especially with this season focusing on her character, it is perfect that Waithe played such an integral role in the writing process and carried the season with her impeccable performance.
Brett Goldstein - Ted Lasso
Brett Goldstein is well known for his sardonic but sweet character Roy Kent on the Apple+ series Ted Lasso. However, fans of the show may not know that he actually started out as a writer on the series. In an interview with For The Win at USA Today, Goldstein explained that as he learned more about the character of Roy Kent in the writer's room, that he really resonated with him and felt that he would be perfect for the character. He waited until the end of the writer's room to send in a self-tape and the producers loved his performance and didn't even bother auditioning anyone else.
Goldstein is credited as Executive Story Editor for all episodes of the first season and has a writing credit for the fifth episode of the first season. The episode focuses on Ted's relationship with his wife and it is one of the first episodes of the series where viewers get a look at Ted behind his happy and optimistic attitude. The episode is very well rated and a big turning point in the first season.
Phoebe Waller-Bridge - Fleabag
Phoebe Waller-Bridge is an amazing writer with countless credits to her name including the hit series, Killing Eve. One of the most popular shows she stared on and wrote for is Fleabag. Waller-Bridge created, wrote, and starred in the series that was actually based on a one-woman play she created, as well.
A little-known fact about Fleabag is that Waller-Bridge originally planned for it to only be one season. However, after the success and love for the series, she continued the story for an additional season. After the second season's bittersweet ending, Waller-Bridge knew that Fleabag's story was over and she could focus on creating new stories and projects.
Mindy Kaling - The Office & The Mindy Project
Mindy Kaling is a successful writer, director, and actress. One of her biggest roles that increased her popularity was as Kelly on The Office. While playing Kelly, Mindy was also a staff writer on the show and wrote 22 episodes of the series. She wrote some of the best and most memorable episodes, including The Dundies in season 2 and Niagra Pt.1 and 2 in season 6.
Additionally, Kaling created, wrote, and starred in The Mindy Project. Over the show's six seasons, she wrote 25 episodes. Her comedy is always relatable and the amount of work she has created is always so impressive.
Bill Hader - SNL, Barry & Documentary Now!
Bill Hader is known for his hilarious characters on Saturday Night Live and countless other comedic roles. When it was announced that he had created and produced Barry, a series following an assassin turned aspiring actor fans were unsure of what to expect. However, Hader completely pulled off the dramatic dark comedy with his writing and performance as the main character.
Hader also wrote for the IFC series Documentary Now! while starring in it alongside Fred Armisen, which was widely liked by audiences and critics as well. Hader's writing skills paired with his hilarious performances are guaranteed to make any project he works on great.
Issa Rae - Insecure
Issa Rae got her start in the entertainment industry by creating and producing her own content on YouTube. She has come so far from creating online videos and has countless producing, acting, and writing credits to her name, one of the most notable being the HBO series, Insecure.
Rae created, produced and stars in Insecure, a show about best friends Issa and Molly navigating their own insecurities and the uncomfortable situations life throws at them. Rae is credited with writing eight episodes over the show's four seasons. The show has been very successful and nominated for countless awards, including three Primetime Emmys.
Sharon Horgan - Catastrophe, Pulling, Women On The Verge & More
Sharon Horgan is a widely loved British actress who stars in countless relatable comedic series. One of the biggest series she starred in Catastrophe, was she also co-created and co-wrote with American comedian Rob Delaney. Catastrophe is about the chaos and hijinks that ensue after Horgan's character gets accidentally pregnant by an American while he is on a business trip in London.
It is a heartwarming and hilarious comedy that Horgan played a huge part in making successful. She has starred in and wrote for other shows that include Pulling, Dead Boss, Women on the Verge and more.