Stars Who Write Their Own Dialogue (Sometimes)

In every production process, you’ll find scripts, revisions, and changes made on the day itself. Some actors join in at this final stage, contributing to the way their characters speak. They might suggest alternative lines, improvise spontaneously, or construct dialogue based on intricate outlines, ensuring that their words sound genuine to them. In some cases, they even hold writing credits, indicating they played a part in creating the exact lines they later perform.

This list showcases actors who sometimes write or improvise their own lines for various projects, ranging from tightly scripted shows where the actor is also the creator, to films that allow for ad-libbing on set. In every instance, there’s a proven history of performers contributing words that ultimately make it onto the screen.

Robert Downey Jr.

In the creation of ‘Iron Man’ and its subsequent movies, director Jon Favreau promoted a more spontaneous style during filming along with frequent script revisions. On numerous occasions, Robert Downey Jr. suggested alternative lines for Tony Stark character, tailoring dialogue to match the flow of each scene. The climactic press conference ending in ‘Iron Man’ where Stark unveils his identity was largely developed from this improvisation-friendly environment.

In various Marvel movies like ‘The Avengers’ series and ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’, he consistently employed that practice. Reports from on-set and reminiscences of his co-stars often highlight Downey Jr.’s knack for presenting new ideas during each setup, ultimately capturing the best take on camera.

Ryan Reynolds

Ryan Reynolds played a significant role in ‘Deadpool 2’, sharing a writing credit with Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick. He not only contributed to the script but also helped craft Deadpool’s distinctive personality during filming through various on-set alternatives and additional scenes in both ‘Deadpool’ and ‘Deadpool 2’. The production timetable for these movies allowed room for improvised lines, enabling them to be adjusted during editing.

He continues to apply this habit across various projects by coming up with alternative jokes and rewording dialogue during the shooting process. His active participation also extends to marketing materials related to ‘Deadpool’, where he frequently writes character segments that align well with the film.

Bill Murray

In the movie “Caddyshack,” Bill Murray spontaneously came up with the Cinderella story monologue while on the golf course. The filming of this segment occurred after a brief discussion about the scene’s context and a broad aim, rather than a precise script. Similarly, Murray improvised several lines for Venkman in “Ghostbusters” during filming.

As a movie enthusiast, I’ve always admired the unique approach of certain directors who, when working with this particular artist, often allocate extra filming time. This allows for capturing various takes, ensuring there’s room for improvisation.

Just imagine the charm brought to films like ‘Groundhog Day’ and ‘Stripes’, where the artist was given leeway to experiment with lines not originally scripted. The best of these impromptu performances were then carefully selected during editing, enhancing the overall film experience.

Robin Williams

Robin Williams ad-libbed numerous segments during recordings for ‘Aladdin’ as the Genie. Later, the animation crew chose pieces from these sessions and synced them with fresh storyboards, resulting in a significant amount of the character’s dialogue being derived from his impromptu performances in the recording studio.

In ‘Good Morning Vietnam’, he adopted an approach akin to what was used before, with the element of improvisation being intentionally incorporated into his act. The script offered situations and guidance, while Williams spoke out swift remarks which were later edited and refined during post-production.

Sacha Baron Cohen

Sacha Baron Cohen creates the characters for his movies and shows, such as ‘Borat’, ‘Bruno’, and ‘Who Is America’. These productions often involve unscripted conversations where he ad-libs lines on the spot while maintaining the character’s persona. The finished product combines pre-planned scenes with spontaneous dialogues.

His approach involves crafting a character with intricate backstory elements, and subsequently delivering dialogues tailored to the scenario at hand. This technique allows him to create dialogue fitting the setting, all while moving the narrative along according to the plotlines he and his co-writers have devised.

Larry David

‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ is developed based on intricate scene sketches. Larry David composes these sketches and then performs the scenes without a written script. Instead, he and the cast improvise the dialogue as they go along, adhering to the key plot points, so his character’s lines are spontaneously created during filming.

This format provides flexibility for adjusting phrases to suit different moments, all while maintaining the story’s coherence. During rehearsals, the emphasis is on defining objectives, followed by filming as dialogue emerges naturally during real-time sessions and is polished across numerous retakes.

Tina Fey

Tina Fey not only developed the TV show ’30 Rock’, but she also took on the role of the lead writer and acted as Liz Lemon. During this time, she penned episodes and oversaw revisions. This involved modifying dialogue during table reads and production meetings. Many scripts that were produced by the studio or network reflected alterations made during these creative sessions.

In her film roles, you can see a consistent style. She authored “Mean Girls” and subsequently adapted dialogue on set for proper timing and acting. When she performs, she employs a writer’s approach to phrasing, which allows her to adjust her character’s lines within the script as needed.

Mindy Kaling

As a die-hard fan of “The Office”, I got the chance to step into Kelly Kapoor’s shoes, thanks to Mindy Kaling writing many episodes for this iconic series. Being in her character, I had the liberty to mold my lines through rewrites and alternative dialogues that were quite common during the production process. The scripts evolved significantly during table reads and on-set improvisations, and I played a part in contributing to these dynamic changes.

On The Mindy Project, she took on a double role of both creator and lead actress. During rehearsals, scripts were often fine-tuned, and she frequently tailored her character’s dialogue to match the scene’s speed and comedic flow.

Donald Glover

Donald Glover not only created the hit series ‘Atlanta’, but also penned or co-wrote several episodes, while simultaneously portraying the character Earn. Throughout the show’s production, scripts were regularly revised during pre-production and filming, allowing Glover to tailor his own dialogue to suit the show’s tone and setting.

Previously, he worked on ’30 Rock’ as a writer and acted on ‘Community’. This background in both scriptwriting for TV shows and performing on-screen allowed him to feel at ease modifying dialogue during the scene while still preserving the original scene’s meaning.

Ricky Gervais

Ricky Gervais, alongside a collaborator, developed and penned ‘The Office’ for its UK version, where he also played the role of David Brent. The mockumentary format allowed for more authentic dialogue delivery. Through rehearsals and numerous retakes, he perfected his lines to ensure a lifelike rhythm was captured.

In the case of ‘Extras’, he adopted a similar method, taking on the roles of both creator, scriptwriter, and actor. The plotlines and dialogue were adapted as needed for the performances, and his lines were frequently refined during filming to preserve the realistic, documentary-style atmosphere.

Amy Schumer

In ‘Trainwreck’, Amy Schumer both wrote the script and played the main role, giving her the power to tailor her character’s conversations. During rehearsals and filming, she worked closely with the director, making tweaks to the lines for timing and understanding, and providing alternative versions whenever extra options were required.

In the TV series ‘Life and Beth’, she assumes a comparable position, penning episodes and overseeing the program. The scripts undergo several iterations in the writers’ room, table readings, and refinements during production, and she consistently revises her own dialogues throughout these phases.

Jordan Peele

Prior to taking up directing movies, Jordan Peele was previously a writer and performer for the comedy show ‘Key and Peele’. The skits originated from brainstorming sessions among writers, followed by rehearsals where Peele and Keegan Michael Key fine-tuned their dialogue for presentation.

In essence, Peele frequently crafted the dialogues that he subsequently acted out on-screen. The program’s design facilitated a blend of pre-written dialogue and spontaneous improvisation within scenes, enabling him to adjust the tone to match each individual character.

Greta Gerwig

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but applaud Greta Gerwig’s remarkable contributions to films like ‘Frances Ha’ and ‘Mistress America’. Working closely with Noah Baumbach, she not only co-wrote these masterpieces but also graced the screen as a captivating actress. During the drafting process, they meticulously captured the natural ebb and flow of conversations. Through rehearsals, Greta found the perfect phrasing for her performances, making each scene feel truly authentic.

Beyond the film projects she’s been involved with, she also penned scripts for indie movies. This experience afforded her the opportunity to modify lines on set with the director’s consent, thereby making sure her dialogue accurately reflected the character she contributed to shaping.

Kumail Nanjiani

In simple terms, Kumail Nanjiani not only contributed to the scriptwriting of “The Big Sick” alongside Emily V. Gordon, but also played a character based on himself in the movie. Since the film is inspired by his stand-up comedy and personal experiences, he had a significant role in shaping how the lines were crafted and acted out during production.

Apart from participating in TV discussions, he’s also penned episodes and performed in them. This unique blend allows him to tweak minor details on set, ensuring lines stay true to the characters and plotlines.

Sylvester Stallone

Sylvester Stallone not only created the script for ‘Rocky’, but also played the lead role. During filming, he adjusts the dialogue based on his acting, and in subsequent sequels, he both writes the scripts and acts out the roles, giving him control over his lines as both writer and performer.

In the Rambo series, starting with ‘First Blood’, he consistently adhered to a particular approach. By both writing and playing the character, he ensured consistency in the character’s voice and had the opportunity to modify the dialogue during rehearsals and production.

Emma Thompson

As a cinephile, I can’t help but appreciate the brilliance behind Emma Thompson’s masterful work in bringing ‘Sense and Sensibility’ to life on the silver screen. Not only did she grace us with her performance as Elinor Dashwood, but she also penned the captivating script. She painstakingly adapted dialogues from the novel while weaving in her own original lines that truly brought the characters and their stories to life. The process involved countless drafts, each one meticulously crafted to ensure the words would resonate powerfully on camera.

In a different phrasing, she not only penned ‘Nanny McPhee’, but also starred in the movie as the main character. This film project granted her the chance to refine the dialogue during both the scriptwriting process and on set, ensuring dialogue, costumes, makeup, and acting performances were harmoniously aligned.

Ben Affleck

Ben Affleck, along with Matt Damon, was not only an actor but also a co-writer for the movie “Good Will Hunting.” In this role, he contributed significantly to shaping the dialogues, even writing some of his own scenes, and took part in revisions throughout the filmmaking process.

Later, he not only acted but also contributed to the script for ‘The Town’. In his role as the director, he oversaw script modifications on set and altered his lines to accommodate changes in staging and location.

He didn’t just act in ‘The Town’, but also helped write it. As a director, he made adjustments to the script on set and modified his lines to suit changes in scene and location.

Matt Damon

Matt Damon, along with others, penned ‘Good Will Hunting’. He not only starred as the character Will Hunting but also played a significant role in shaping the dialogue by working on various script drafts, making adjustments to dialogues during rehearsals, and continued refining them throughout filming.

In simpler terms, as both a producer and a collaborator, he has made improvements to plotlines and characters in different productions. For scenes that he’s involved in, he works closely with directors to revise his lines while ensuring consistency in the storyline.

Phoebe Waller-Bridge

As a passionate film enthusiast, I can’t help but share my admiration for Phoebe Waller-Bridge. She single-handedly brought ‘Fleabag’ to life, penning each and every episode while gracefully embodying the lead character. Originally, this captivating show found its roots on stage and was meticulously expanded into a television series with scripts expertly molded around her exceptional performance. This transformation continued during table reads where further enhancements were made, ensuring that ‘Fleabag’ remains as compelling and authentic as ever.

In addition to her acting roles, she was the lead scriptwriter for ‘Killing Eve’ during its initial season. Although she didn’t appear onscreen, this position honed her ability to swiftly modify dialogue, a skill she applies to her own performances.

Nia Vardalos

Nia Vardalos penned the screenplay for ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding’ and starred as Toula Portokalos. Originally based on her one-woman act, she fine-tuned conversations to reflect familial dynamics she was familiar with, and later tweaked lines during filming to align with the cast’s rhythm.

She’s been penning subsequent stories and connected projects, all while reprising her leading role. This way, she maintains Toula’s dialogue in scripts and can make on-set adjustments to ensure the character’s voice remains consistent.

Feel free to share some instances where you’ve noticed actors modifying their own lines in the comment section below. Let’s discuss and learn together!

2025-09-09 03:53