After acting for a while, the actors and actresses become producers and directors of movies due to their experience being in movies. As an actor, you discuss things about the movie with the directors and producers frequently. It is probably the best way to train to become a director or producer.
After being in several movies including Risky Business which was his breakout role, Rain Man and Born on the Fourth of July, he starred and wrote the story for Days of Thunder where he met one of his wives, Nicole Kidman. He has produced great movies which is why he is a good producer. He produced and starred in Mission Impossible, Without Limits, The Others, Vanilla Sky and The Last Samurai.
