What does everyone think about big name actors dabbling in movie
production? Clooney, Penn, even Pitt have all done it with seemingly
mixed results. Thoughts?

I thnk it all depends on the actor, of course. From the ones I know of (so far), Mr. Clooney seems to be a fine filmmaker. As in, he makes good movies overall ... and not just bound-to-be-popular George Clooney movies, with nothing to sell them beyond simply that. Penn's take on filmmaking is likely very suitable to good cinema. I tend to think that both those guys, as an example, really love the craft of movies. Ergo, they won't get bogged down in ego/self-promotion at the expense of a well put-together film.

I always think that some actors who produce sully up the whole business for others who follow them. Notably, say, Barbra Streisand and that mostly horrid "A Star Is Born" remake. I can't remember just now the exact number, but I believe one could count on one hand the number of minutes she did not appear onscreen in it, in total. It was, more than anything else, "The Barbra Streisand Show" . And could have been much better without SO much of her constantly. BUT she's since improved dramatically behind-the-camera. So maybe it's all really a matter of trial-and-error? Even for the most talented and/or powerful of them? After all, an actor looks to get a good part that will bolster his bank account, jack up his popularity, test his skills. A producer, though, has to worry about financing the thing, selling it to get studio backing, money/profit and advertising, etc. Very different ballgames there. A person would have to be mighty driven to do both things (the creative parts AND the 'business' parts) right. Doing both right at once must be daunting indeed!

Very true! I think sometimes it's hard when actors do that transition, just as actors wanting to go into fashion or singing... i think you need to really appreciate your craft and work with really good people in order for your efforts to be recognized in a suitable manner

I would have to say that Robert Redford has definitely been successful in both acting and directing. Some of my favorites were done with him behind the camera.
The Milagro Beanfield War, Quiz Show, A River Runs Through It, and Sneakers are just a few that come to mind right now.

Sneakers is a very good movie that i enjoyed watching!