James Franco

James Franco
6.1
James Franco photo 1 James Franco photo 2 James Franco photo 3 James Franco photo 4
Comments (5)
Name:
James Franco
Who is:
, , ,
Birth date:
(47 y.o.)
Place of birth:
Palo Alto, California U.S.
Height:
5'10 ft ()
Weight:
148 lb (67 kg)
Namesakes:
Birth Sign:
(characteristic)
Chinese zodiac:
Links:

Photos: James Franco

James Franco photo 1
James Franco photo 2
James Franco photo 3
James Franco photo 4
+29 Photos

James Franco's Biography

James Franco is a famous Hollywood actor, director, screenwriter, author, and recipient of the Golden-Globe. James gladly takes on roles in smash hits, as well as comedies or experimental projects. Net worth: $30 million.
Pictured: James Franco
Pictured: James Franco

Childhood and Family

James inherited his creative talents from his mother. From an early age, he was immersed in a creative environment, with his mother working as a writer and editor. His striking good looks? He owes those to his mixed Swedish, Portuguese, and Jewish heritage.
James Franco as a child
James Franco as a child
Franco grew up with two brothers in the small town of Palo Alto, California. Interestingly, one of James's younger brothers, Dave Franco, also became an actor: he starred in "Now You See Me," the thriller "Nerve," and alongside his brother in the biographical comedy "The Disaster Artist."
James Franco and his younger brother Dave
James Franco and his younger brother Dave
According to Zoomboola.com, in 1996 Franco graduated from his school in Palo Alto, and by that time, he'd already been voted "Best Smile" by his graduating class. His charming smile would eventually become his signature feature.
James Franco with his parents and brothers
James Franco with his parents and brothers
After High School, the future actor entered the University of California as an English major. However, his major didn't appeal to him, and after just one year, he chose acting over academics. This is when the young man joined Playhouse West to attend Robert Carnegie's classes.

Acting Career

Franco spent about 15 months getting ready to audition in Los Angeles – ambition and confidence were never in short supply. He landed his first lead role in 1999 with Freaks and Geeks, a teen drama about high school life in the '80s. The series didn't last long, but critics had just enough time to recognize the charming young actor's talent. The show also featured future How I Met Your Mother star Jason Segel and Franco's friend, comedian Seth Rogen.
James Franco in «Freaks and Geeks «
James Franco in «Freaks and Geeks «
Franco's first movie lead came shortly after – though it was in the low-budget teen comedy Whatever It Takes, which barely registered with audiences.
James Franco in the comedy «Whatever it takes»
James Franco in the comedy «Whatever it takes»
Fortunately, he didn't stay trapped in B-movies and soon got his chance to truly shine. James took on a challenging role: playing an actual celebrity and '50s icon, Hollywood actor James Dean, who tragically died in a car crash at just 24. Interestingly, Brad Pitt and Johnny Depp also competed for the part in «James Dean», but it was Franco who eventually got it.
James Franco in «James Dean»
James Franco in «James Dean»
Franco didn't just nail the rebellious icon's look – he captured the character's psychology: proud and reserved on the surface, but broken and vulnerable underneath. What made the casting so striking was Franco's uncanny resemblance to Dean. This bullseye performance earned Franco a Golden Globe and nominations for Emmy and Screen Actors Guild Awards.
James Franco in «Spider-man»
James Franco in «Spider-man»
Franco broke through to mainstream audiences with his performance as Harry Osborn, the Green Goblin's son, in the first Spider-Man movie. Ironically, James had originally auditioned for Peter Parker, but that role went to Tobey Maguire instead. Franco created a captivating villain, and the film's massive success led to his return in the next two trilogy installments in 2004 and 2007.
James Franco and Robert de Niro in the drama «City by the Sea»
James Franco and Robert de Niro in the drama «City by the Sea»
. In 2002, Franco starred in the drama City by the Sea with Robert De Niro and Frances McDormand, and in Robert Altman's The Company with Neve Campbell and Malcolm McDowell.
James Franco and Sophia Myles in «Tristan + Isolde»
James Franco and Sophia Myles in «Tristan + Isolde»
. Franco delivered another excellent performance in Tristan + Isolde, co-starring with British actress Sophia Myles in the profound love story between an Irish princess and a British knight.
James Franco in «Flyboys»
James Franco in «Flyboys»
This was an incredibly productive period in Franco's career. He typically juggled 5 or 6 projects per year, with each role presenting a new challenge. For instance, to play a convincing pilot in Flyboys, James trained with the US Navy Blue Angels stunt crew and actually got his pilot's license.
James Franco and Seth Rogen
James Franco and Seth Rogen
In 2008, James took on the role of a drug dealer in the stoner comedy "Pineapple Express," starring alongside longtime friend and co-writer Seth Rogen. Franco's performance earned him a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy. In September 2008, Franco was tapped to host Saturday Night Live.
In September 2008 James Franco became Saturday Night Live's new host
In September 2008 James Franco became Saturday Night Live's new host
Franco took on another challenging role in 2008, starring in Gus Van Sant's biographical drama "Milk." He portrayed Scott Smith, the lover of Harvey Milk, the groundbreaking politician. The performance earned him an Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male. In 2010, Franco essentially carried a one-man show as Beat Generation poet Allen Ginsberg in the drama "Howl," based on the poet's most controversial work.
James Franco in "Milk"
James Franco in "Milk"
At the end of 2010, James Franco was announced as co-host for the upcoming Oscars. The Producers explained their decision: «Anne Hathaway and James Franco personify the next generation of Hollywood icons— fresh, exciting and multi-talented. We hope to create an Oscar broadcast that will both showcase their incredible talents and entertain the world.» Franco delivered a memorable performance that surprised audiences.
James Franco in «127 Hours»
Another standout role came in Danny Boyle's survival drama "127 Hours," based on a true story. The film was a claustrophobe's nightmare, with Franco's character trapped in an isolated slot canyon for the movie's entire runtime. Franco's gripping performance kept audiences on the edge of their seats throughout.
James Franco in «Oz the Great and Powerful»
James Franco in «Oz the Great and Powerful»
. In the following years, Franco stayed busy, and in 2013 he surprised fantasy fans and L. Frank Baum enthusiasts by starring in "Oz the Great and Powerful." The prequel to The Wonderful Wizard of Oz explored how Oz conquered the Emerald City. The Witches (both the good and the evil) were portrayed by Michelle Williams, Rachel Weisz, and Mila Kunis. Franco also starred in the Broadway production of John Steinbeck's "Of Mice and Men," showcasing his passion for literary adaptations.

However, Franco did face problems with Seth Rogen's satirical movie about Kim Jong Un «The Interview», in which he was cast as one of the leads. Sony Pictures was repeatedly hacked with threats against the film's release. The premiere was postponed, but the picture nonetheless aired the same year (2014) at a limited number of theatres and online. The scandal played directly into their hands, creating massive publicity – over a million users streamed the comedy on its first day.
«The Interview». Trailer
Franco's work in the miniseries «11.22.63», based on Stephen King's novel about the events leading up to JFK's assassination and various ways to prevent it, stands as another career milestone. The same year saw Franco return to comedy, appearing as an internet tycoon in «Why Him?» alongside Bryan Cranston and Zoey Deutch.
James Franko and Bryan Cranston in «Why Him?»
James Franko and Bryan Cranston in «Why Him?»
Franco has also dabbled in voice acting, voicing the Fox in «The Little Prince» (2015) and one of the characters in «Sausage Party» (2016).

In 2017 Franco triumphed again. He directed and starred in «The Disaster Artist» – a comedy biopic about Tommy Wiseau, one of cinema's most notorious directors and creator of «The Room», widely considered one of the worst films ever made. Dave Franco, James's brother, played the actor who starred in the original «Room».
James Franco and Tommy Wiseau in Kimmel Show
The film earned critical acclaim and received an Oscar nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay. Franco was expected to receive at least an Oscar nomination, but he didn't make the shortlist, earning only a Golden Globe: The Academy is known to discriminate against comedians.
James Franco at the Golden Globe Awards Ceremony

James Franco as a director

2005 marked James Franco's directorial debut with «The Ape», in which he also starred. After cutting his teeth on a few projects, Franco chose an interesting and important direction: the adaptation and re-thinking of the American literature and cultural phenomena.
In 2005 Franco made his debut as a director
In 2005 Franco made his debut as a director
He's already adapted several literary works for film: two William Faulkner novels – As I Lay Dying (2013) and «The Sound and the Fury» (2014), Cormac McCarthy's «Child of God» (2013), and John Steinbeck's «In Dubious Battle» (2015). His films regularly screen at Cannes, Venice, Berlin International, and Sundance Film Festivals, consistently generating discussion.

Through his films, Franco seems determined to open doors to serious, even experimental literature – territory most directors now avoid.

James Franco's Private Life

James Franco typically keeps his romantic life private. He dated American actress and singer Marla Lynne Sokoloff in 1999-2004. In 2006, he began dating actress Ahna O'Reilly, but the couple broke up in 2011.
James Franco with Ahna O'Reilly
James Franco with Ahna O'Reilly
After six years of being single, James Franco went public with his new girlfriend in 2017. She was TV editor Isabelle Pacsad. The couple regularly appeared together at social events.
Franco eventually graduated from UCLA in 2008 and got his Bachelor's in English. Having received the degree, James moved to New York City and enrolled in Columbia University's Master's Program in Literature, while also attending New York University's prestigious Tisch School of the Arts.

James Franco now

Franco continues juggling multiple projects simultaneously, including those of his own. So, in 2019, the premieres of "Zeroville", in which he played Ike Jerome, and "Guardians of the Galaxy", in which he voiced Lemmy, took place.
In 2020, Franco faced major legal proceedings, addressing sexual harassment allegations that had been made against him years earlier. The actor maintained that these allegations were published solely to damage his reputation and were unfounded.

James Franco: latest news and articles

  • Oh, he played in The Green Hornet, right, when I didn`t read I couldn`t remember.
    2021-05-13 23:04:36
  • I don`t remember any main role of Franco but I think he will conquer cinematography
    2021-04-20 09:04:11
  • I saw James Franco at the first time in the movie Eat Pray Love, I love this movie and now I also like this actor :)
    2021-04-18 13:24:07
  • Handsome Franco is a charming actor. I guess when I watching a movie, I`m watching it only because of him :)
    2021-04-03 09:32:04
  • He would suit well in the role of Joker. Genius actor who has a very contrast roles.
    2021-03-09 08:51:17
5