10 Actors Who Created And Starred In Their Own TV Shows

Back in middle school, you probably thought that that "screenplay" you posted on your LiveJournal about your crush finally noticing you was gold, but these are the few who actually made it happen. Make sure you pick up Season One of GIRLS, now available onDVD, Blu-ray, and Digital Download.

1. Rob McElhenney - It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia

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Before there was fat Mac, there was regular Mac and before that, there was just plain ol' Rob McElhenney, who created the show and is actually the only cast member from Philadelphia.

2. Jerry Seinfeld - Seinfeld

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It's probably no mystery that the show named after the comedian was co-created by the comedian himself, with the help of his partner in crime Larry David. The self-aware Seinfeld even included a storyline in later seasons about Jerry getting his own sitcom on NBC. How meta.

3. Lena Dunham - Girls

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After Judd Apatow saw her 2010 film Tiny Furniture, he signed on to executive produce Lena Dunham's own show, Girls. The 26 year-old directs, writes, and stars in the series, now in its second season on HBO.

4. Martin Lawrence - Martin

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We bet you won't be able to get that theme song out of your head once you think about it. Before he became a big time movie star with movies like Bad Boys and Big Momma's House, the comedic chameleon created and starred in his own hit sitcom for 5 seasons.

5. Louis C.K. - Louie

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Long underrated and now hugely appreciated, Louis C.K. is, of course, the brains behind his genius show Louie. He also created a show in 2006 named Lucky Louie but it didn't gel with audiences and was canceled after one seasons.

6. Chris Rock - Everybody Hates Chris

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Chris Rock might not physically appear on Everybody Hates Chris, a show based on his own life experience, but the fact that he narrates each episodes makes him qualify for this list as both voice star and creator.

7. Tina Fey - 30 Rock

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What would the world be without Liz Lemon? After a long stint at SNL, Tina Fey went on to fictionalize the process of working on that show in 30 Rock, now sadly in its last season.

8. Ricky Gervais - The Office (UK)

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Ricky Gervais is known for ruffling feathers as an award show MC, but his claim to fame is without a doubt the show that he created and starred in, the original version of The Office.

9. Mindy Kaling - The Mindy Project

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Speaking of The Office, Mindy Kaling famously starred and contributed to writing the U.S. incarnation of the show. She recently left the show to create her own starring vehicle, The Mindy Project, in which she plays a quirky OB/GYN.

10. Larry David - Curb Your Enthusiasm

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After his 1999 HBO special "l, Larry David: Curb Your Enthusiasm was received positively, Larry David got his own show a mere two years after Seinfeld ended.