Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to James Franco

Controversies are a part of history. Explore the biggest scandals linked to James Franco.

James Franco is an American actor and filmmaker known for his diverse roles in both mainstream and independent cinema. He gained widespread recognition for his roles in Sam Raimi's 'Spider-Man' trilogy and has since starred in films like 'Milk,' 'Eat Pray Love,' and 'Rise of the Planet of the Apes.' A frequent collaborator with Seth Rogen, he has appeared in comedies such as 'Pineapple Express' and 'This Is the End.' Franco won a Golden Globe for his performance in 'The Disaster Artist' and received an Academy Award nomination for '127 Hours,' highlighting his range as an actor.

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Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

2011: Franco discusses media misquotes

In a 2011 interview, James Franco stated that he had been strongly misquoted by reports in the media and news outlets reporting erroneous information about him.

September 2012: Defamation lawsuit filed against Franco

In September 2012, José Angel Santana filed a defamation lawsuit against James Franco, claiming that Franco's comments about his teaching were false and led to his termination.

September 2013: Settlement of defamation lawsuit

In September 2013, James Franco and José Angel Santana settled the defamation lawsuit.

2014: Controversy over alleged messages with a minor

In 2014, James Franco faced controversy after a seventeen-year-old girl posted screenshots of alleged messages between her and Franco on Instagram, where he reportedly tried to meet her in a hotel room after she told him she was seventeen. Franco admitted to writing the messages and later stated he was "embarrassed" and that "I learned my lesson."

2014: Allegations posted on Instagram

In 2014, a 17-year-old girl posted screenshots on Instagram alleging inappropriate messages between her and James Franco.

January 9, 2018: New York Times cancels event with Franco

On January 9, 2018, The New York Times canceled a planned event with James Franco regarding 'The Disaster Artist' due to the controversy surrounding recent allegations against him.

January 11, 2018: Allegations of inappropriate behavior reported

On January 11, 2018, the Los Angeles Times reported that five women were accusing James Franco of inappropriate or sexually exploitative behavior during the period when Franco was serving as their acting teacher or mentor.

2018: Criticism for wearing Time's Up pin at Golden Globes

In 2018, at the Golden Globe Awards, James Franco faced immediate criticism for wearing a Time's Up pin in solidarity with the MeToo movement, after actress Ally Sheedy hinted at a negative experience working with him and a former girlfriend alleged he forced her to give him oral sex.

2018: Accusations of inappropriate behavior

In 2018, the Los Angeles Times reported that five women had accused James Franco of inappropriate or sexually exploitative behavior.

2018: Busy Philipps' account of altercation on Freaks and Geeks set

In her 2018 memoir, Busy Philipps described an account in which James Franco screamed at her before violently shoving her to the ground while on the set of Freaks and Geeks.

October 3, 2019: Lawsuit filed against James Franco

On October 3, 2019, two former students of James Franco's film and acting school, Studio 4, filed a lawsuit against him and his partners alleging sexual exploitation in the guise of education. The lawsuit claimed that students were subjected to sexually exploitative auditions and film shoots and were pressured to engage in simulated sexual acts.

February 21, 2021: Lawsuit settlement reported

On February 21, 2021, it was reported that the lawsuit against James Franco by two former students was settled, with both students agreeing to drop their individual claims.

March 15, 2021: Settlement submitted for court approval

On March 15, 2021, the deal for the lawsuit settlement was submitted for preliminary court approval.

April 2021: Charlyne Yi's allegations against Franco and Rogen

In April 2021, Charlyne Yi alleged that filmmakers tried to bribe her with a larger role after she attempted to quit The Disaster Artist due to allegations against James Franco, and she accused Seth Rogen of enabling Franco's behavior.

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June 2021: Settlement terms revealed

In June 2021, the terms of the settlement were revealed, disclosing that James Franco would pay over $2.2 million to resolve the sexual exploitation legal disputes and a class-action plaint by Studio 4 students.