James Franco: Difference between revisions

This is a good article. Click here for more information.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Reverted to revision 420604801 by ClueBot NG; rm vandalism revert to last good version. (TW)
Line 11: Line 11:


== Early life and family ==
== Early life and family ==
Franco was born in [[Palo Alto, California]]. His mother, Betsy Lou ([[married and maiden names|née]] Verne), is a poet, author, and editor, and his father, Douglas Eugene Franco, runs a non-profit agency and a shipping container company; the two met as students at [[Stanford University]].{{r|anderson20100725}}<ref name=enidro>{{Cite web|last=Wolfson|first=Jill|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Penciling in a Career|publisher=Stanford Magazine|date=September/October, 2009|url=http://www.stanfordalumni.org/news/magazine/2009/sepoct/show/franco.html|accessdate=2010-12-06}}</ref><ref name=ohwohw>{{Cite book|last=Marquis Who's Who, Inc|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Who's who of emerging leaders in America|publisher=Marquis Who's Who|year=1991|location=|pages=|month=|url=|isbn=0837972027}}</ref> Franco's father is of [[Portuguese American|Portuguese]] and [[Swedish American|Swedish]] descent<ref name="review">{{cite web | title=LatinoReview.com | work=Franco Talks Annapolis! | url=http://www.latinoreview.com/news.php?id=217 | accessdate=May 9, 2006|archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20060614050041/http://www.latinoreview.com/news.php?id=217 |archivedate = June 14, 2006|deadurl=yes}}</ref> and Franco's mother is [[Jews|Jewish]], a descendant of immigrants from [[Russia]] (her family's surname had been changed from "Verovitz" to "Verne").<ref name="bostonref1">{{cite news|last=Rhone|first=Paysha|coauthors=|title=Spidey foe meets his match in Harvard's Hasty Pudding crew|pages=|publisher=Boston Globe|date=2009-02-14|url=http://www.boston.com/ae/celebrity/articles/2009/02/14/spidey_foe_meets_his_match_in_harvard_hasty_pudding_crew/|accessdate=2009-08-09}}</ref><ref name=rai/> His paternal grandmother, Marjorie (Peterson) Franco, was a published author of [[young-adult fiction|young adult]] books;<ref name=ohwohw/><ref name=hcrela>{{Cite book|last=Commire|first=Anne|authorlink=|coauthors=Gale Research Company|title=Something about the Author, Volume 38|publisher=Gale Research|year=1985|location=|pages=77|month=|url=|isbn=0810300710}}</ref> his maternal grandmother, Mitzie (Levine) Verne, owns the Verne Art Gallery, a prominent art gallery in [[Cleveland]], and was an active member in the [[National Council of Jewish Women]].<ref name=wehida>{{Cite news|last=Spevack|first=Violet|coauthors=|title=Cavalcade|pages=|publisher=Cleveland Jewish News|date=2002-01-31|url=http://www.clevelandjewishnews.com/articles/2002/01/31//export10620.txt|accessdate=2010-12-28}}</ref><ref name=wehidareb>{{Cite news|last=Spevack|first=Violet|coauthors=|title=Cavalcade 10/23|pages=|publisher=Cleveland Jewish News|date=2009-10-23|url=http://www.clevelandjewishnews.com/articles/2009/11/13/features/cavalcade/doc4ae081106974b082383090.txt|accessdate=2010-12-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://admission.case.edu/admissions/news/news_story.asp?iNewsID=249&strBack=/admissions/news/news_archive.asp|title=Case Western Reserve University|accessdate=August 8, 2008|publisher=Admission Case |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20071024200830/http://admission.case.edu/admissions/news/news_story.asp?iNewsID=249&strBack=/admissions/news/news_archive.asp |archivedate = October 24, 2007}}</ref>
HE LOVES LINDSAY TUCK THAT IS ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW Franco was born in [[Palo Alto, California]]. His mother, Betsy Lou ([[married and maiden names|née]] Verne), is a poet, author, and editor, and his father, Douglas Eugene Franco, runs a non-profit agency and a shipping container company; the two met as students at [[Stanford University]].{{r|anderson20100725}}<ref name=enidro>{{Cite web|last=Wolfson|first=Jill|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Penciling in a Career|publisher=Stanford Magazine|date=September/October, 2009|url=http://www.stanfordalumni.org/news/magazine/2009/sepoct/show/franco.html|accessdate=2010-12-06}}</ref><ref name=ohwohw>{{Cite book|last=Marquis Who's Who, Inc|first=|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Who's who of emerging leaders in America|publisher=Marquis Who's Who|year=1991|location=|pages=|month=|url=|isbn=0837972027}}</ref> Franco's father is of [[Portuguese American|Portuguese]] and [[Swedish American|Swedish]] descent<ref name="review">{{cite web | title=LatinoReview.com | work=Franco Talks Annapolis! | url=http://www.latinoreview.com/news.php?id=217 | accessdate=May 9, 2006|archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20060614050041/http://www.latinoreview.com/news.php?id=217 |archivedate = June 14, 2006|deadurl=yes}}</ref> and Franco's mother is [[Jews|Jewish]], a descendant of immigrants from [[Russia]] (her family's surname had been changed from "Verovitz" to "Verne").<ref name="bostonref1">{{cite news|last=Rhone|first=Paysha|coauthors=|title=Spidey foe meets his match in Harvard's Hasty Pudding crew|pages=|publisher=Boston Globe|date=2009-02-14|url=http://www.boston.com/ae/celebrity/articles/2009/02/14/spidey_foe_meets_his_match_in_harvard_hasty_pudding_crew/|accessdate=2009-08-09}}</ref><ref name=rai/> His paternal grandmother, Marjorie (Peterson) Franco, was a published author of [[young-adult fiction|young adult]] books;<ref name=ohwohw/><ref name=hcrela>{{Cite book|last=Commire|first=Anne|authorlink=|coauthors=Gale Research Company|title=Something about the Author, Volume 38|publisher=Gale Research|year=1985|location=|pages=77|month=|url=|isbn=0810300710}}</ref> his maternal grandmother, Mitzie (Levine) Verne, owns the Verne Art Gallery, a prominent art gallery in [[Cleveland]], and was an active member in the [[National Council of Jewish Women]].<ref name=wehida>{{Cite news|last=Spevack|first=Violet|coauthors=|title=Cavalcade|pages=|publisher=Cleveland Jewish News|date=2002-01-31|url=http://www.clevelandjewishnews.com/articles/2002/01/31//export10620.txt|accessdate=2010-12-28}}</ref><ref name=wehidareb>{{Cite news|last=Spevack|first=Violet|coauthors=|title=Cavalcade 10/23|pages=|publisher=Cleveland Jewish News|date=2009-10-23|url=http://www.clevelandjewishnews.com/articles/2009/11/13/features/cavalcade/doc4ae081106974b082383090.txt|accessdate=2010-12-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://admission.case.edu/admissions/news/news_story.asp?iNewsID=249&strBack=/admissions/news/news_archive.asp|title=Case Western Reserve University|accessdate=August 8, 2008|publisher=Admission Case |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20071024200830/http://admission.case.edu/admissions/news/news_story.asp?iNewsID=249&strBack=/admissions/news/news_archive.asp |archivedate = October 24, 2007}}</ref>


Franco grew up in California with his two younger brothers, Tom and [[Dave Franco|Dave]], the latter of whom is also an actor.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.interviewmagazine.com/film/james-franco/|title=James Franco|last=Van Sant|first=Gus|work=[[Interview (magazine)|Interview]]|page=1|accessdate=March 2, 2009}}</ref> Talented at mathematics, Franco interned at [[Lockheed Martin]].<ref name="anderson20100725">Anderson, Sam. "[http://instapaperstories.tumblr.com/post/972880219/the-james-franco-project-new-york-magazine The James Franco Project]" ''New York'', 25 July 2010.</ref> He graduated from [[Palo Alto High School]] in 1996, where he acted in plays.{{r|anderson20100725}}<ref name="Yahoo">{{cite web|url=http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/contributor/1800352352/bio|title=James Franco Biography|accessdate=August 8, 2008|publisher=[[Yahoo!]]}}</ref> He enrolled at the [[University of California, Los Angeles]] (UCLA) as an English major,<ref>{{cite web|first=Michael|last=Posner|url=http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080805.wpineapple05/BNStory/Entertainment/?page=rss&id=RTGAM.20080805.wpineapple05|title=Top of the food chain|accessdate=August 8, 2008|date=August 5, 2008|work=[[The Globe and Mail]]}}</ref> but dropped out after his freshman year against his parents' wishes{{r|anderson20100725}} to pursue a career as an actor, taking acting lessons with Robert Carnegie at the Playhouse West.<ref name="Yahoo"/>
Franco grew up in California with his two younger brothers, Tom and [[Dave Franco|Dave]], the latter of whom is also an actor.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.interviewmagazine.com/film/james-franco/|title=James Franco|last=Van Sant|first=Gus|work=[[Interview (magazine)|Interview]]|page=1|accessdate=March 2, 2009}}</ref> Talented at mathematics, Franco interned at [[Lockheed Martin]].<ref name="anderson20100725">Anderson, Sam. "[http://instapaperstories.tumblr.com/post/972880219/the-james-franco-project-new-york-magazine The James Franco Project]" ''New York'', 25 July 2010.</ref> He graduated from [[Palo Alto High School]] in 1996, where he acted in plays.{{r|anderson20100725}}<ref name="Yahoo">{{cite web|url=http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/contributor/1800352352/bio|title=James Franco Biography|accessdate=August 8, 2008|publisher=[[Yahoo!]]}}</ref> He enrolled at the [[University of California, Los Angeles]] (UCLA) as an English major,<ref>{{cite web|first=Michael|last=Posner|url=http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080805.wpineapple05/BNStory/Entertainment/?page=rss&id=RTGAM.20080805.wpineapple05|title=Top of the food chain|accessdate=August 8, 2008|date=August 5, 2008|work=[[The Globe and Mail]]}}</ref> but dropped out after his freshman year against his parents' wishes{{r|anderson20100725}} to pursue a career as an actor, taking acting lessons with Robert Carnegie at the Playhouse West.<ref name="Yahoo"/>

Revision as of 17:34, 25 March 2011

James Franco
Franco in October 2010
Born
James Edward Franco

(1978-04-19) April 19, 1978 (age 46)
Palo Alto, California, United States
Occupation(s)Actor, director, author, screenwriter, producer, painter, model
Years active1997–present

James Edward Franco (born April 19, 1978) is an American actor, film director, screenwriter, film producer, author, painter and performance artist. He began acting during the late 1990s, appearing on the short-lived television series Freaks and Geeks and starring in several teen films. He achieved international fame with his portrayals of Harry Osborn in Sam Raimi's Spider-Man trilogy, drug dealer Saul Silver in Pineapple Express and Aron Ralston in 127 Hours. His other well known films include Milk, Tristan & Isolde, Flyboys, Date Night, Your Highness, Eat Pray Love and the upcoming Planet of the Apes reboot Rise of the Apes. He has been nominated for three Golden Globe awards, winning one, and received an Academy Award nomination for his work in 127 Hours.

Early life and family

HE LOVES LINDSAY TUCK THAT IS ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW Franco was born in Palo Alto, California. His mother, Betsy Lou (née Verne), is a poet, author, and editor, and his father, Douglas Eugene Franco, runs a non-profit agency and a shipping container company; the two met as students at Stanford University.[1][2][3] Franco's father is of Portuguese and Swedish descent[4] and Franco's mother is Jewish, a descendant of immigrants from Russia (her family's surname had been changed from "Verovitz" to "Verne").[5][6] His paternal grandmother, Marjorie (Peterson) Franco, was a published author of young adult books;[3][7] his maternal grandmother, Mitzie (Levine) Verne, owns the Verne Art Gallery, a prominent art gallery in Cleveland, and was an active member in the National Council of Jewish Women.[8][9][10]

Franco grew up in California with his two younger brothers, Tom and Dave, the latter of whom is also an actor.[11] Talented at mathematics, Franco interned at Lockheed Martin.[1] He graduated from Palo Alto High School in 1996, where he acted in plays.[1][12] He enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) as an English major,[13] but dropped out after his freshman year against his parents' wishes[1] to pursue a career as an actor, taking acting lessons with Robert Carnegie at the Playhouse West.[12]

Career

Early work

After 15 months of training, he began auditioning in Los Angeles, California, and got his first break in 1999, after he was cast in a leading role on the short-lived but well-reviewed television series Freaks and Geeks.[14] Franco has since described the series as "one of the most fun" work experiences that he has had.[15] In another interview, Franco said: "When we were doing Freaks and Geeks, I didn’t quite understand how movies and TV worked, and I would improvise even if the camera wasn’t on me ... So I was improvising a little bit back then, but not in a productive way."[16] His first major film was the romantic comedy Whatever It Takes (2000), in which he co-starred with Marla Sokoloff.[17][18]

He was subsequently cast as the title role in director Mark Rydell's 2001 TV biopic James Dean.[19][20] To immerse himself in the role, Franco went from being a non-smoker to smoking two packs of cigarettes a day, dyed his dark brown hair blond, and learned to ride a motorcycle as well as play guitar and the bongos.[19] To have a greater understanding of Dean, Franco spent hours with two of Dean's associates. Other research included reading books on Dean and studying his movies.[19] While filming James Dean, the actor, to get into character, cut off communication with his family and friends, as well as his then-girlfriend. "It was a very lonely existence," he notes. "If I wasn't on a set, I was watching James Dean. That was my whole thinking. James Dean. James Dean."[19] Despite already being a fan of Dean, Franco feared he might be typecast if he'd captured the actor too convincingly. Ken Tucker of Entertainment Weekly wrote: "Franco could have walked through the role and done a passable Dean, but instead gets under the skin of this insecure, rootless young man."[21] He received a Golden Globe Award and nominations for an Emmy Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award (SAG).[22][23][24]

2002 – 2007

Franco at the Spider-Man 3 premiere, April 2007

In the 2002 superhero film Spider-Man, Franco played Harry Osborn, the son of the villainous Green Goblin (Willem Dafoe) and best friend of the title character (Tobey Maguire).[25] Originally, Franco was considered for the lead role of Spider-Man/Peter Parker in the film,[26] though the lead went to Tobey Maguire. Todd McCarthy of Variety noted that there are "good moments" between Maguire and Franco in the film.[27] Spider-Man was a commercial and critical success.[28] The movie grossed $114 million during its opening weekend in North America and went on to earn $822 million worldwide.[29] In this same year, Franco was cast as a homeless drug addict in the drama City by the Sea (2002) after co-star Robert De Niro saw a snippet of his work in James Dean.[19] He lived on the streets for several days to better understand the subject of the matter.[30] The following year he co-starred alongside Neve Campbell in Robert Altman's The Company (2003).[31]

The success of the first Spider-Man film led Franco to reprise the role in the 2004 sequel, Spider-Man 2.[32] The movie was well received by critics,[33] and it proved to be a big financial success, setting a new opening weekend box office record for North America.[34] With revenue of $783 million worldwide, it became the second highest grossing film in 2004.[29] The following year he appeared in the 2005 war film The Great Raid, in which he portrayed Robert Prince, a captain in the United States Army's elite Sixth Ranger Battalion.[35][36]

In 2006, Franco co-starred with Tyrese Gibson in Annapolis and played legendary hero Tristan in Tristan & Isolde, a dramatization of the Tristan and Iseult story also starring English actress Sophia Myles. For the former, he did eight months of boxing training and for the latter, he practiced horseback riding and sword fighting.[37] He then rode with the Navy's precision flying team, the Blue Angels, and completed training for his Private Pilot Licence in preparation for his role in Flyboys,[38] which was released in September 2006; the same month, Franco appeared briefly in The Wicker Man, the remake of the seminal horror film. He appeared in the film alongside Nicolas Cage, who directed him in Sonny (2002).[39] Also in 2006, he made a cameo appearance in the romantic comedy The Holiday.[20]

In 2007, he again played Harry Osborn in Spider-Man 3.[40] In contrast to the previous two films' positive reviews,[28][33] Spider-Man 3 was met with a mixed reception by critics.[41] Nonetheless, with a total worldwide gross of $891 million, it stands as the most successful film in the series, and Franco's highest grossing film to the end of 2008.[29] In this same year, Franco made a cameo appearance in the Apatow-directed comedy Knocked Up, which starred Freaks and Geeks alumni Seth Rogen, Jason Segel and Martin Starr.[42]

2008 – 2010

He next starred in Pineapple Express (2008), a comedy film co-starring and co-written by Rogen and produced by Apatow.[15][43] Of Franco's character, Apatow said, "You tell him, 'Okay, you're going to play a pot dealer,' and he comes back with a three-dimensional character you totally believe exists. He takes it very seriously, even when it's comedy."[44] In her New York Times review, critic Manohla Dargis wrote: "He’s delightful as Saul, loosey-goosey and goofy yet irrepressibly sexy, despite that greasy curtain of hair and a crash pad with a zero WAF (Woman Acceptance Factor). It’s an unshowy, generous performance and it greatly humanizes a movie that, as it shifts genre gears and cranks up the noise, becomes disappointingly sober and self-serious."[45] His performance earned him a second Golden Globe nomination, for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy.[22] Though no longer a cannabis user, he was awarded High Times magazine Stoner of the Year Award for his work in Pineapple Express.[46] In 2008 he also appeared in two films by American artist Carter exhibited at the Yvon Lambert gallery in Paris.[47] On September 20, 2008, he hosted the sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live (SNL),[48] and a second time on December 19, 2009.[49]

Franco with Denis O'Hara discussing Milk on December 8, 2008

Franco starred opposite Sean Penn, Josh Brolin, and Emile Hirsch in Gus Van Sant's Milk (2008).[50] In the film, he played Scott Smith, the boyfriend of Harvey Milk (Penn). Kenneth Turan of the Los Angeles Times, in review of the film, wrote: "Franco is a nice match for him [Penn] as the lover who finally has enough of political life."[51] For his performance in the film, Franco won the Independent Spirit Award in the category for Best Supporting Actor.[52] In late 2009, he joined the cast of the daytime soap opera General Hospital on a recurring basis. He plays Franco, a multimedia artist much like himself,[1] who comes to Port Charles with unfinished business with mob enforcer Jason Morgan (Steve Burton).[53] Franco has called his General Hospital role performance art; in summer 2010, the fictional Franco held an exhibit at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles, while the real Franco held an exhibit at the museum based on his experiences on the soap opera.[1] In 2011 he'll reprise his role in two episodes of General Hospital.[54]

Franco next made an appearance on the sitcom 30 Rock where he played himself and carried on a fake romance with Jenna Maroney (Jane Krakowski) in a scheme concocted by their respective agents.[55] Franco produced and directed a documentary titled Saturday Night documenting a week in the production of an episode of SNL.[56] The film began as a short for an NYU class but grew due to his two episodes as host, while short stories he wrote for other classes appeared in Esquire and McSweeney's.[1] After appearing in the commercial successes Date Night and Eat Pray Love, Franco played poet Allen Ginsberg in the drama Howl, released on September 24.[6] One of his short movies, The Clerk's Tale, was screened in competition at the Hamptons Film Festival at the end of 2010.[57]

"I didn't have many actors to act opposite with. So the crew and the director and the writer, they all became my co-stars in a way and we all had this one character to share in. I, it was my body but we were all kinda jammed in there [the gully].

Franco on filming 127 Hours[58]

His next project was 127 Hours, where he portrayed mountain climber Aron Ralston and was directed by Academy Award-winner Danny Boyle. It was given a limited release starting on November 5, 2010.[59] 127 Hours centered on Ralston trying to free his hand after it became trapped under a boulder in a ravine while canyoneering alone in Utah and resorting to desperate measures in order to survive, eventually amputating his arm. During the 5 week, 12 hours per day shoot, Franco would only leave the gully set to use the lavatory and would read books such as academic textbooks to keep busy.[60] Franco later called making 127 Hours a once in a life time experience.[58] To date, 127 Hours is one of his most well-reviewed movies[61] and was also a commercial success, commissioning $49 million against an $18 million budget.[59] His performance earned him universal acclaim from critics. Subsequently, he was nominated for most of the high-profile awards, notably an Academy Award, Golden Globe and SAG as well as winning an Independent Spirit Award.

2011 – present: recent and upcoming projects

In January, the actor screened his multimedia project entitled Three's Company The Drama, in which he merges video and art to update the former sitcom, at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival.[62] On February 23, Franco made a cameo appearance on NBC's Minute to Win It where the real-life Ralston was participating as a contestant playing for charity.[63] On February 27, Franco and Anne Hathaway hosted the 83rd Academy Awards.[64] After having an uncredited cameo in the opening scene of The Green Hornet (2011),[65] he'll next star opposite Natalie Portman and Danny McBride in the fantasy comedy Your Highness[66] on April 8. In the latter, which is set in Medieval times, he portrays Fabious, a Prince who teams up with his brother (McBride) to rescue Fabious' soon to be bride (played by Zooey Deschanel).

Franco reunited with Milk director Van Sant to make Unfinished, a project that features two movies: Endless Idaho and My Own Private River. Endless Idaho showcases edited outtakes, deleted scenes and behind-the-scenes footage from the 1991 movie My Own Private Idaho, while My Own Private River focuses on the late actor River Phoenix.[67] The idea for the exhibition was conceived after Van Sant introduced unused footage from the 1991 film to Franco, inspiring him to turn it into something more. Unfinished is set to open from February 26 to April 9 at the Gagosian Gallery in Beverly Hills.[67] In May 2010, he was cast to star in Rupert Wyatt's Rise of the Apes, a reboot of the Planet of the Apes series which will be released on November 23.[68]

Franco has also announced that in the fall of 2011, he will appear on Broadway with Nicole Kidman in the upcoming revival of Sweet Bird of Youth by Tennessee Williams, which will be directed by David Cromer.[69] Franco will also direct two short films for songs ("Blue" and "That Someone Is You") by R.E.M. from their album Collapse Into Now (2011).[70] The actor will also star in Oz: The Great and Powerful, a Disney prequel to L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900), which is told from the point of view of the Wizard and details how he arrived in Oz and how he became the ruler. Franco's commitment to that project caused him to drop out of the independent movie While We're Young.[71] At the end of September 2010, the actor acquired the rights to Stephen Elliott's The Adderall Diaries, with the intentions to adapt, direct and star in it.[57]

It was announced in January 2011 that the actor has planned to not only star in but direct himself in The Night Stalker, a film version of author Philip Carlo's book about the 1980's serial killer, Richard Ramirez. Co-screenwriter to the screenplay, Nicholas Constantine, was initially unconvinced that Franco would be right for the movie, until he learned of Franco's desire to be a director and later watched three of his short films, one of which featured a serial killer, ultimately confirming to the writer that the actor had a darker side.[72] One of his other upcoming projects, The Iceman, with reunite Franco with Michael Shannon, after the two worked together on the short film Herbert White. The movie is based upon real-life contract murderer Richard Kuklinski, who notoriously froze his victims.[73] The actor also has plans to direct a film version of William Faulkner's As I Lay Dying.[74]

Writing

In 2010, Franco published a collection of short stories called Palo Alto.[75] The book is named after the California city where Franco grew up and is dedicated to many of the writers he worked with at Brooklyn College. Palo Alto consists of life in Palo Alto as experienced by a series of teenagers who spend most of their time indulging in driving drunk, using drugs and taking part in unplanned acts of violence. Each passage is told by a young narrator.[76] The book has received mixed reviews; Los Angeles Times called it "the work of an ambitious young man who clearly loves to read, who has a good eye for detail, but who has spent way too much time on style and virtually none on substance."[75] The Guardian said that "The Hollywood star's foray into the literary world may be met with cynicism in some quarters, but this is a promising debut from a most unlikely source."[77]

Personal life

Franco in February 2009

Franco has been described as having "an unusually high metabolism for productivity...a superhuman ability to focus".[1] Dissatisfied with his career's direction,[1] Franco reenrolled at UCLA in the fall of 2006 as an English major with a creative writing concentration. Having received permission to take as many as 62 course credits per quarter compared to the normal limit of 19[78] while continuing to act, he received his undergraduate degree in June 2008 with a GPA over 3.5.[78][1][79] For his degree, Franco prepared his departmental honors thesis as a novel under the supervision of Mona Simpson.[1][80] He moved to New York to simultaneously attend graduate school at Columbia University's MFA writing program, New York University's Tisch School of the Arts for filmmaking,[81][82][83][84] and Brooklyn College for fiction writing,[78] while occasionally commuting to North Carolina's Warren Wilson College for poetry.[1] He received his MFA from Columbia in 2010.[85] Franco is a Ph.D. student in English at Yale University[86] and will also attend the Rhode Island School of Design.[1]

Franco developed an aptitude for art—painting in particular—during his high school years while attending the California State Summer School for the Arts (CSSSA).[12] Franco has said painting was the "outlet" he needed in high school, and he "has actually been painting longer than he has been acting."[87] His paintings were displayed publicly for the first time at the Glü Gallery in Los Angeles, California from January 7, 2006 through to February 11, 2006.[12][88] Franco can also be seen painting in a scene in Spider-Man 3.[89] He launched his first European art exhibition in 2011 at Peres Projects in Berlin.[76]

Franco, just before he flies the aircraft, in August 2006

Franco enjoys reading on the set of his films. Pineapple Express producer Judd Apatow has said of him: "He's a very education-minded person. We used to laugh because in between takes he'd be reading The Iliad on set. We still haven't read The Iliad. It was a very difficult book. With him, it was always James Joyce or something."[90]

Since April 2006, Franco has been in a relationship with actress Ahna O' Reilly.[91][92] In 2008, he was named as the new face of Gucci's men's fragrance line.[81][93] Viewed as a sex symbol, Franco was named the Sexiest Man Living in 2009 by Salon.com.[94] In response to questions regarding his sexuality now that he has portrayed three gay characters during his acting career, he insists he finds plenty more dimensions to the characters than their bedroom proclivities. "Or, you know what," he quipped, "maybe I’m just gay."[95]

He was selected as the commencement speaker at his alma mater, UCLA, and was to speak at the ceremony on June 12, 2009. On June 3, 2009, however, a press release announced Franco's cancellation due to a scheduling conflict, making it the second year in a row, after Bill Clinton, the commencement speaker had canceled the appearance.[96] On January 26, 2011, Franco and the Harvard Lampoon released a satirical video on prominent comedy website Funny or Die mocking his last-minute cancellation.[97]

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes
1998 1973 Greg TV film
1999 To Serve and Protect Matt Carr TV film
1999 Never Been Kissed Jason Way
2000 At Any Cost Mike
2000 If Tomorrow Comes Devin
2000 Whatever It Takes Chris
2001 Mean People Suck Casey
2001 Some Body Apartment guy 3 Uncredited
2001 James Dean James Dean TV film
Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor in Television Film
Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film
Nominated—Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie
Nominated—Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie
2002 Blind Spot Danny
2002 Mother Ghost Skateboarder guy
2002 Sonny Sonny Phillips limited release
2002 City by the Sea Joey Nominated—Chlotrudis Award for Best Supporting Actor
2002 Spider-Man Harry Osborn
2002 Deuces Wild Tino
2003 The Company Josh
2004 Spider-Man 2 Harry Osborn
2005 The Ape Harry Walker Direct-to-video
2005 The Great Raid Captain Prince
2005 Fool's Gold Brent Also writer/director
2006 Grasshopper Travis Short film
2006 Tristan & Isolde Tristan
2006 Annapolis Jake Huard
2006 The Wicker Man Bar guy #1
2006 Flyboys Blaine Rawlings
2006 The Dead Girl Derek
2006 The Holiday Himself Uncredited
2007 Spider-Man 3 Harry Osborn / New Goblin Nominated—Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor
Nominated—MTV Movie Award for Best Fight
2007 Knocked Up Himself Uncredited
2007 In the Valley of Elah Sergeant Dan Carnelli
2007 Finishing the Game Dean Silo/"Rob Force"
2007 An American Crime Andy
2007 Interview Boyfriend on phone
2007 Camille Silias
2007 Good Time Max Max Verbinski Also writer/director
2008 Pineapple Express Saul Silver Nominated—Detroit Film Critics Society Award for Best Supporting Actor
Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy
Nominated—MTV Movie Award for Best Comedic Performance
Nominated—MTV Movie Award for Best Fight
2008 Nights in Rodanthe Dr. Mark Flanner Uncredited
2008 Milk Scott Smith Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Cast
Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male
Nominated—Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actor
Nominated—MTV Movie Award for Best Kiss
Nominated—Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture
Nominated—Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
2010 Shadows & Lies William Vincent
2010 Date Night Thomas Felton
2010 Eat Pray Love David
2010 Howl Allen Ginsberg
2010 127 Hours Aron Ralston Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor
Independent Spirit Award for Best Male Lead
Indiana Film Journalists Association Award for Best Actor
Las Vegas Film Critics Society Award for Best Actor
New York Film Critics Online Award for Best Actor
Santa Barbara International Film Festival Award for Outstanding Performance
Utah Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor
Nominated—Academy Award for Best Actor
Nominated—BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role
Nominated—Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor
Nominated—Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor
Nominated—Detroit Film Critics Society Award for Best Actor
Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama
Nominated—Houston Film Critics Society Award for Best Actor
Nominated—Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Actor
Nominated—Phoenix Film Critics Society Award for Best Actor
Nominated—San Diego Film Critics Society Award for Best Actor
Nominated—Satellite Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama
Nominated—Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role
Nominated—St. Louis Gateway Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor
Nominated—Toronto Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor
Nominated—Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor
2011 The Green Hornet Danny Clear Cameo uncredited
2011 Your Highness Fabious post-production
2011 Rise of the Apes post-production
2011 In Praise of Shadows[98] William Vincent post-production
Series television
Year Title Role Notes
1997 Pacific Blue Brian
1999 Profiler Stevie
1999—2000 Freaks and Geeks Daniel Desario
2001 The X-Files Officer #2
2009—2011 General Hospital Franco
2010 30 Rock Himself Episode: "Klaus and Greta"

Selected works

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Anderson, Sam. "The James Franco Project" New York, 25 July 2010.
  2. ^ Wolfson, Jill (September/October, 2009). "Penciling in a Career". Stanford Magazine. Retrieved 2010-12-06. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  3. ^ a b Marquis Who's Who, Inc (1991). Who's who of emerging leaders in America. Marquis Who's Who. ISBN 0837972027. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters: |month= and |coauthors= (help)
  4. ^ "LatinoReview.com". Franco Talks Annapolis!. Archived from the original on June 14, 2006. Retrieved May 9, 2006. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  5. ^ Rhone, Paysha (2009-02-14). "Spidey foe meets his match in Harvard's Hasty Pudding crew". Boston Globe. Retrieved 2009-08-09. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  6. ^ a b Ganahl, Jane (2010-01-23). "Howl's Cast and Crew On the Road to Sundance". Vanity Fair. Retrieved 2010-10-15. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  7. ^ Commire, Anne (1985). Something about the Author, Volume 38. Gale Research. p. 77. ISBN 0810300710. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |month= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  8. ^ Spevack, Violet (2002-01-31). "Cavalcade". Cleveland Jewish News. Retrieved 2010-12-28. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  9. ^ Spevack, Violet (2009-10-23). "Cavalcade 10/23". Cleveland Jewish News. Retrieved 2010-12-28. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  10. ^ "Case Western Reserve University". Admission Case. Archived from the original on October 24, 2007. Retrieved August 8, 2008.
  11. ^ Van Sant, Gus. "James Franco". Interview. p. 1. Retrieved March 2, 2009.
  12. ^ a b c d "James Franco Biography". Yahoo!. Retrieved August 8, 2008.
  13. ^ Posner, Michael (August 5, 2008). "Top of the food chain". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved August 8, 2008.
  14. ^ "Shout! Factory — Freaks And Geeks". Shout Factory. Retrieved August 8, 2008.
  15. ^ a b "United Press International". Franco to reunite with Freaks pals. United Press International. Retrieved September 23, 2006.
  16. ^ Van Sant, Gus. "James Franco". Interview. p. 4. Retrieved March 3, 2009.
  17. ^ Gleiberman, Owen (March 31, 2000). "What It Takes Review". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved August 8, 2008.
  18. ^ Scott, A.O. (March 24, 2000). "Whatever It Takes Review". New York Times. Retrieved August 8, 2008.
  19. ^ a b c d e Carter, Kelly (July 27, 2001). "James Franco: The next James Dean". USA Today. Retrieved August 8, 2008.
  20. ^ a b Lee, Chris (August 6, 2008). "James Franco plays against type in 'Pineapple Express'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 8, 2008. [dead link]
  21. ^ Tucker, Ken (August 3, 2001). "James Dean TV Review". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved August 13, 2008.
  22. ^ a b "HFPA — Awards Search". Golden Globes. Retrieved August 8, 2008.
  23. ^ "8th Annual SAG Awards Nominee — Screen Actors Guild Awards". Screen Actors Guild Awards. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  24. ^ "2002 Emmys". CNN. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  25. ^ Travers, Peter (May 23, 2002). "Spider-Man Review". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on July 8, 2008. Retrieved August 4, 2008. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  26. ^ "Mike Clark review". USA Today. May 3, 2002. Retrieved January 23, 2007.
  27. ^ McCarthy, Todd (April 19, 2002). "Spider-Man Review". Variety. Retrieved March 2, 2009.
  28. ^ a b "Spider-Man (2002): Reviews". Metacritic. May 3, 2002. Retrieved March 2, 2009.
  29. ^ a b c "James Franco Movie Box Office Results". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved March 2, 2009.
  30. ^ B., Scotty (September 4, 2002). "An Interview with James Franco". IGN. IGN Entertainment. Retrieved March 6, 2011.
  31. ^ Mitchell, Elvis (December 25, 2003). "The Company Review". The New York Times. Archived from the original on December 26, 2007. Retrieved August 8, 2008. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  32. ^ Turan, Kenneth (June 29, 2004). "Turan reviews Spider-Man 2". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on September 29, 2007. Retrieved May 29, 2007. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  33. ^ a b "Spider-Man 2 (2004): Reviews". Metacritic. June 30, 2004. Retrieved December 9, 2008.
  34. ^ "Spider-Man 2 (2004)". Box Office Mojo. June 30, 2004. Retrieved December 9, 2008.
  35. ^ Ebert, Roger (August 12, 2005). "The Great Raid Review". Chicago Sun-Times. Roger Ebert.com. Retrieved August 12, 2008.
  36. ^ Otto, Jeff (August 11, 2005). "IGN: The Great Raid Review". IGN. Retrieved August 12, 2008.
  37. ^ Potts, Kim (November 2, 2010). "'127' Facts About James Franco". Moviefone. March 6, 2011.
  38. ^ "ContactMusic". Franco takes off with Stunt Squad. Retrieved September 23, 2006.
  39. ^ The Wicker Man (DVD). Warner Bros. 2006.
  40. ^ Travers, Peter (May 3, 2007). "Spider-Man 3 Review". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on June 19, 2008. Retrieved August 4, 2008. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  41. ^ "Spider-Man 3 (2007): Reviews". Metacritic. May 4, 2007. Retrieved December 11, 2008.
  42. ^ "James Franco". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 22, 2009. [dead link]
  43. ^ Travers, Peter (August 7, 2008). "Pineapple Express Review". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on August 22, 2008. Retrieved August 8, 2008. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  44. ^ Mock, Janet. "James Franco Timeline". People. Retrieved January 8, 2011.
  45. ^ Dargis, Manohla (August 6, 2008). "'Pineapple Express' – Stoners Who Put the Bud in Buddies". New York Times. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
  46. ^ Hager, Steven (September 30, 2008). "High Times > Franco's First Time". High Times. Retrieved January 4, 2010.
  47. ^ Freydkin, Donna (April 7, 2009). "Franco takes 'Erased James Franco' to art". USA Today. Retrieved April 22, 2009.
  48. ^ Boedeker, Hal (September 21, 2008). ""Saturday Night Live" with James Franco improves in week two, but still far from its peak". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved September 21, 2008. [dead link]
  49. ^ Roberts, Soraya (December 20, 2009). "James Franco hosts 'Saturday Night Live': Actor pulls an Adam Lambert with man-on-man kiss". Daily News (New York). Retrieved December 22, 2009.
  50. ^ Freydkin, Donna (August 3, 2008). "'Pineaple' star Franco digs deep, plays stoner and serious". USA Today. Retrieved August 8, 2008.
  51. ^ Turan, Kenneth (November 26, 2008). "Review: 'Milk'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 23, 2009. [dead link]
  52. ^ Smith, Neil (February 22, 2009). "Rourke steals Spirit award show". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved February 23, 2009. Other acting awards went to Melissa Leo and Penelope Cruz, both of whom are also up for Oscars, and to James Franco for his supporting role in Milk.
  53. ^ Bryant, Adam (October 1, 2009). "James Franco to Appear on General Hospital". TV Guide. Retrieved October 1, 2009.
  54. ^ "Exclusive: James Franco Heads Back to General Hospital". TVGuide.com. Retrieved December 8, 2010.
  55. ^ Stanhope, Kate (November 3, 2009). "James Franco to Guest-Star on 30 Rock". TV Guide. Retrieved November 5, 2009.
  56. ^ Itzkoff, Dave (May 3, 2010). "Things We Learned About 'Saturday Night Live' From James Franco's Documentary". The New York Times. Retrieved July 30, 2010.
  57. ^ a b Fleming, Mike (September 29, 2010). "James Franco Buys 'The Adderall Diaries'". Deadline Hollywood. Mail.com Media Corporation. Retrieved March 6, 2011.
  58. ^ a b 2011 Independent Spirit Awards
  59. ^ a b "127 Hours". Box Office Mojo. IMDB.com Inc. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  60. ^ Shone, Tom (January 4, 2011). "A class apart: interview with James Franco". The Daily Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group Limited. Retrieved March 7, 2011.
  61. ^ "James Franco". Rotten Tomatoes. Flixster, Inc. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  62. ^ Rancilio, Alicia (2011-01-25). "James Franco Talks 'Crazy Projects' at Sundance". ABC News. American Broadcasting Company. Retrieved 2011-03-06.
  63. ^ "James Franco Gives Encouragement to Aron Ralston on 'Minute to Win It'". Hollywood Reporter. 2011-03-04. Retrieved 2011-03-06.
  64. ^ King, Susan (2010-11-29). "James Franco, Anne Hathaway to host Oscar telecast". Retrieved 2010-11-29.
  65. ^ Butler, Robert W. (January 13, 2011). "'The Green Hornet' has dull plot, lame humor". Kansas City Star. The McClatchy Company. Retrieved March 7, 2011.
  66. ^ Kit, Borys (May 30, 2009). "Natalie Portman signs on for comedy "Your Highness"". The Hollywood Reporter. Reuters. Retrieved June 1, 2009.
  67. ^ a b Ng, David (2011-02-23). "James Franco, Gus Van Sant exhibition coming this week to Gagosian Gallery". The Los Angeles Times. Tribune Company. Retrieved March 6, 2011.
  68. ^ Siegel, Tatiana (May 20, 2010). "James Franco to star in 'Apes'". Variety. Retrieved May 23, 2010.
  69. ^ http://broadwayworld.com/article/Cromer_Says_Franco_Debut_in_SWEET_BIRD_OF_YOUTH_Likely_20110202
  70. ^ "James Franco, Sam Taylor-Wood guest direct new REM videos". NME. IPC Media. 2011-03-02. Retrieved 2011-03-06.
  71. ^ Jagernauth, Kevin (2011-03-06). "Noah Baumbach's 'While We're Young' Loses James Franco & Cate Blanchett; Ben Stiller Still In". IndieWire. Snagfilms. Retrieved 2011-03-06.
  72. ^ "James Franco: 'The Night Stalker' Star And Director". Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, Inc. January 16, 2011. Retrieved March 6, 2011.
  73. ^ Buchanan, Kyle (January 20, 2011). "James Franco and Michael Shannon Reunite for The Iceman". New York Magazine. New York Media LLC. Retrieved March 6, 2011.
  74. ^ Friedman, Devin. "Leading Man: James Franco." GQ Dec. 2010: 286–88
  75. ^ a b "A life in constant motion". iol.co.za. 2011-01-05.
  76. ^ a b Pidd, Helen (2011-02-20). "The many lives of James Franco". The Guardian. Retrieved 2011-03-06.
  77. ^ Killian Fox (2011-02-01). "Palo Alto by James Franco – review". Guardian.co.uk.
  78. ^ a b c Schmelzer, Randi (2009-01-01). "Smart Set". UCLA Magazine. Retrieved 2010-09-06.
  79. ^ Black, Rosemary (August 27, 2008). "Brad Pitt explores other options". Daily News (New York). p. 2. Retrieved March 3, 2009.
  80. ^ Schmelzer, Randi (2009-01-01). "Smart Set". ucla.edu. UCLA Magazine Online. Retrieved 2010-01-15. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  81. ^ a b Kamp, David (December 2008). "Franco cum Laude". Vanity Fair. Retrieved December 2, 2008.
  82. ^ Evans, Sean (August 6, 2008). "Side Dish: Write on, James Franco". New York Daily News. Retrieved September 21, 2008. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  83. ^ Froelich, Paula (September 10, 2008). "No Ogling!". New York Post. Retrieved September 21, 2008. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  84. ^ "Academia: James Franco To Sexify Morningside Heights". Gawker.com. Retrieved September 21, 2008.
  85. ^ James Franco To Get Yet Another Degree At Yale?
  86. ^ Zuckerman, Esther (March 28, 2010). "Now He Can Fall Asleep in LC Too". Yale Daily News. Retrieved March 31, 2010.
  87. ^ "Lindzi.com Your Connection to the Stars". James Franco. Retrieved February 1, 2007.
  88. ^ Oldenburg, Ann (August 14, 2002). "Celebrities pour passion into artwork". USA Today. Retrieved August 8, 2008.
  89. ^ Spider-Man 3 (DVD). Sony Pictures. 2007.
  90. ^ Freydkin, Donna (2008-08-05). "'Pineapple' star Franco digs deep, plays stoner and serious". USA Today. Retrieved 2011-01-03.
  91. ^ Dinh, Mai. "James Franco Biography". People. Retrieved April 22, 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  92. ^ Freydkin, Donna (August 3, 2008). "'Pineapple' star Franco digs deep, plays stoner and serious". USA Today. Retrieved April 22, 2009.
  93. ^ Pearlman, Cindy (November 30, 2008). "James Franco a big man in 'Milk' – and on campus". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved December 2, 2008.
  94. ^ Hepola, Sarah (November 19, 2009). "Sexiest Man Living 2009". Salon.com. Retrieved November 20, 2009.
  95. ^ Donnelly, Matt (January 7, 2011). "James Franco's Maybe I'm just gay'- and why we love it". Los Angeles Times blog. Retrieved January 8, 2011.
  96. ^ Schaefer, Samantha (June 3, 2009). Daily Bruin http://www.dailybruin.com/index.php/article/2009/06/franco-cancels-commencement-keynote. Retrieved June 4, 2009. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  97. ^ "James-Franco's-Rejected-UCLA-Commencement-Speech". Funny or Die. July 8, 2009. Retrieved July 8, 2009.
  98. ^ Fleming, Michael (June 8, 2009). "James Franco to star in 'Shadows'". Variety. Retrieved November 26, 2009.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to James Franco.

Template:Oscars hosts 2001-2020

Template:Persondata

Template:Link GA

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=James_Franco&oldid=420684541"