Actors Who Are Published Authors or Poets

Plenty of screen favorites spend their downtime with a pen in hand, and some have built serious parallel careers on the page. From literary novels and children’s series to memoirs, essays, and poetry, these actors have published work that stands on its own—sometimes even founding presses or editing anthologies along the way.

Below you’ll find 25 male actors who’ve also put out books or poetry. Each entry highlights what they’ve released, the kinds of writing they do, and a few helpful details to point you toward a first read.

Tom Hanks

Tom Hanks published the short-story collection Uncommon Type in 2017, gathering 17 stories linked—sometimes subtly—by typewriters. In 2023 he followed with the novel The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece, a behind-the-scenes fiction that spans decades around a comic book adaptation.

Beyond fiction, Hanks has contributed essays to magazines and wrote the introduction to Hanx Writer, the app celebrating classic typewriters. His book tour events often included public readings and Q&As about process, and signed first editions of Uncommon Type became quick collector items.

Ethan Hawke

Ethan Hawke’s bibliography includes the novels The Hottest State (1996) and Ash Wednesday (2002), as well as the 2021 novel A Bright Ray of Darkness. He also wrote the illustrated fable Rules for a Knight (2015), framed as a letter on humility, courage, and service.

Hawke has written for the stage—most notably the play A Lie of the Mind revival adaptation notes and original works—and he frequently publishes short pieces in magazines. Several of his books have been reissued with new forewords or reading-group guides, reflecting his long engagement with literature.

Viggo Mortensen

Viggo Mortensen is a published poet and photographer whose books often blend verse with images, including Ten Last Night (1993), Recent Forgeries (1998), and Coincidence of Memory (2002). He founded Perceval Press in 2002 to publish art books, poetry, and niche works by other creators.

At Perceval Press, Mortensen has released bilingual and small-run titles, artist monographs, and socially minded projects. His readings frequently pair poetry with projected photographs or music, and many of his books appear in limited editions with distinctive design choices.

Keanu Reeves

Keanu Reeves co-authored two art-poetry books with artist Alexandra Grant: Ode to Happiness (2011) and Shadows (2016). The first pairs deadpan verses with ink-wash illustrations, while the second explores silhouette photography and text.

Reeves also co-founded the independent imprint X Artists’ Books in 2017, focusing on artist-centered publications that are experimental in form. The press’s catalog includes collaborations across disciplines, with Reeves serving as a partner and contributor on select projects.

David Duchovny

David Duchovny has written several novels: Holy Cow (2015), Bucky Fcking Dent* (2016), Miss Subways (2018), and Truly Like Lightning (2021). His fiction ranges from fable to literary realism, often touching on identity, belief, and family.

Duchovny has also recorded audiobook versions of his work, bringing a performer’s timing to the readings. His books have been translated into multiple languages, and he has appeared at literary festivals to discuss plot development and character voice.

Hugh Laurie

Hugh Laurie’s debut novel The Gun Seller (1996) is a sardonic thriller that became a bestseller and has remained in print for decades. He later drafted a follow-up, widely reported under the working title The Paper Soldier, though publication plans shifted over the years.

Laurie’s non-fiction includes forewords and magazine pieces, and his fiction is frequently cited for its brisk pacing and technical detail around espionage tropes. Special editions of The Gun Seller have appeared in several territories, reflecting continued reader interest.

Steve Martin

Steve Martin is the author of the novellas Shopgirl (2000) and The Pleasure of My Company (2003), and the memoir Born Standing Up (2007). He has also written plays, including Picasso at the Lapin Agile, and co-wrote the musical Bright Star with Edie Brickell.

Martin’s books often come with live readings accompanied by banjo performances during tour events. He has contributed humor pieces and essays to major publications, several of which have been anthologized.

Alan Alda

Alan Alda’s books include Never Have Your Dog Stuffed and Other Things I’ve Learned (2005) and Things I Overheard While Talking to Myself (2007). He also wrote If I Understood You, Would I Have This Look on My Face? (2017), which explores communication and empathy.

Alda founded the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science at Stony Brook University, and his later writing draws on workshops with scientists and medical professionals. Audiobooks of his titles feature his narration, adding performance cadence to the material.

Bryan Cranston

Bryan Cranston wrote the memoir A Life in Parts (2016), which traces his path from early gigs through stage work and major screen roles, structured as discrete “parts.” The book details craft choices, set experiences, and personal milestones.

Cranston has participated in author events that double as acting masterclasses, discussing preparation methods and collaboration. The book is widely used in film-study and theater programs as a first-person account of professional development.

Cary Elwes

Cary Elwes authored As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride (2014), a production chronicle that weaves interviews, photos, and behind-the-scenes anecdotes. The book expanded from a widely read magazine essay into a full oral history.

Elwes later released an expanded edition with additional material from cast and crew. He has toured with screenings and book signings that feature audience Q&A sessions focused on production craft and stunt work.

Bob Odenkirk

Bob Odenkirk’s A Load of Hooey (2014) compiles satirical sketches and comic prose, while Comedy Comedy Comedy Drama (2022) is a career memoir covering sketch, writing rooms, and dramatic roles. He has also co-written screenplays and stage material.

Odenkirk’s readings often double as mini-performances, featuring live sketches or improvised bits. He has published essays in magazines and contributed forewords to books on comedy craft and television writing.

John Lithgow

John Lithgow has authored numerous children’s books, including Micawber, Mahalia Mouse Goes to College, and I Got Two Dogs. He also edited The Poets’ Corner (2007), an anthology that pairs classic poems with short introductions and audio performances.

Lithgow’s political-verse volumes—Dumpty (2019) and Trumpty Dumpty Wanted a Crown (2020)—use rhyme and illustration to satirize public life. He regularly performs poetry readings and has produced companion audio editions for several titles.

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Arnold Schwarzenegger co-authored The New Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding (1998, with Bill Dobbins) and wrote the memoir Total Recall: My Unbelievably True Life Story (2012). In 2023 he published Be Useful: Seven Tools for Life, a personal-development book.

Schwarzenegger’s titles are often updated with new photos and training notes. He promotes reading and goal-setting in newsletters and live talks, aligning his published work with long-running mentorship initiatives.

Dwayne Johnson

Dwayne Johnson’s memoir The Rock Says… (2000, with Joe Layden) chronicles his early life, athletics, and entry into entertainment. The book topped bestseller lists and introduced many readers to his behind-the-scenes world.

Johnson has since contributed introductions and essays to fitness and motivational publications. Anniversary printings of The Rock Says… remain in circulation, reflecting ongoing interest in his origin story.

Matthew McConaughey

Matthew McConaughey’s Greenlights (2020) blends journal entries, anecdotes, and “notes to self” he kept over decades. The book’s structure alternates narrative chapters with short interludes he calls “greenlights,” drawing from personal archives.

He released an illustrated follow-up, Just Because (2023), aimed at younger readers with rhythmic verse about individuality. McConaughey frequently records his own audiobooks, bringing a performance element to the text.

Stanley Tucci

Stanley Tucci has published The Tucci Cookbook (2012) and The Tucci Table (2014), co-written with Felicity Blunt, along with the memoir Taste: My Life Through Food (2021). His food writing reflects a deep family and regional culinary history.

Tucci’s books include tested recipes and menu planning tips, and he often pairs releases with cooking demos and interviews. Taste received awards and broadened into related projects, including live events centered on regional Italian cuisine.

Henry Winkler

Henry Winkler co-authors the long-running children’s series Hank Zipzer with Lin Oliver, inspired by his experiences with dyslexia. The franchise spans dozens of books, including Here’s Hank spinoffs that target early readers.

Winkler and Oliver also launched the Alien Superstar series in 2019, continuing their focus on humor and empathy for young readers. School visits and literacy programs regularly feature their books as examples of accessible storytelling.

Nick Offerman

Nick Offerman’s non-fiction includes Paddle Your Own Canoe (2013), Gumption (2015), Good Clean Fun (2016), and Where the Deer and the Antelope Play (2021). His subjects range from craftsmanship and public lands to personal values and American figures.

Offerman’s woodworking background informs both the content and design of his books, with photo spreads and shop tips appearing alongside essays. He tours with readings that often feature music and conversations about conservation.

Jason Segel

Jason Segel co-wrote the middle-grade fantasy series Nightmares! with Kirsten Miller, beginning in 2014, and the YA sci-fi trilogy Otherworld starting in 2017. The books combine adventure plots with themes of friendship and responsibility.

Segel has participated in school and library events tied to literacy initiatives, reading excerpts and discussing collaboration. Several of his titles have educator guides and activity kits provided by the publishers.

Taye Diggs

Taye Diggs authored the picture books Chocolate Me! (2011) and Mixed Me! (2015), both illustrated by Shane W. Evans. The books explore identity and self-acceptance for young readers.

Diggs and Evans have appeared together at readings and festivals to discuss how text and illustration support confidence in kids. Their collaborations are frequently used in classrooms to spark conversations about diversity and family.

Andrew McCarthy

Andrew McCarthy has written two memoirs: The Longest Way Home (2012), a travel memoir, and Brat: An ’80s Story (2021), which examines his early career and personal growth. He has also contributed extensively to travel magazines.

McCarthy’s journalism earned awards from travel-writing organizations, and he has served as an editor-at-large. His books often include practical notes on itineraries, reflecting his on-the-ground reporting style.

Richard E. Grant

Richard E. Grant’s diaries With Nails: The Film Diaries of Richard E. Grant (1996) provide a first-person chronicle of auditions, shoots, and industry life. He later published A Pocketful of Happiness (2022), a memoir centered on love and loss.

Grant has released companion talks and readings that highlight diary-keeping as a craft. His social posts often extend themes from the books, creating an ongoing public conversation about creativity and resilience.

Michael J. Fox

Michael J. Fox has written several memoirs, including Lucky Man (2002), Always Looking Up (2009), A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Future (2010), and No Time Like the Future (2020). The books cover career, family, and living with Parkinson’s disease.

Fox’s foundation work is frequently discussed in the context of these titles, linking personal narrative with advocacy. Audiobook editions are narrated in his voice, and selected chapters are used in medical humanities courses for perspective-taking.

Patrick Stewart

Patrick Stewart published the memoir Making It So in 2023, tracing his path from a Yorkshire childhood through classical theater and international screen work. The book details training, repertory life, and the transition between stage and screen.

Stewart has also written forewords and essays for theater programs and Shakespeare studies. His publicity tour included readings at literary festivals and conversations about acting technique and education.

Tom Felton

Tom Felton’s memoir Beyond the Wand (2022) recounts early auditions, set experiences, and post-franchise career choices. The book includes reflections on fame at a young age and the realities of working life between projects.

Felton recorded the audiobook himself, adding context through performance and asides. Special editions and international translations followed quickly, with bookstore events drawing readers across age groups.

Share your favorite picks—or the books you’ve read from these actors—in the comments!