Childhood and Education Journey of James Franco in Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of James Franco. A timeline of key moments.

James Franco is an American actor and filmmaker known for his diverse roles in both mainstream and independent films. He gained prominence in Sam Raimi's Spider-Man trilogy and has starred in films like Milk, Eat Pray Love, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Spring Breakers, and Oz the Great and Powerful. He frequently collaborates with Seth Rogen, appearing in movies like Pineapple Express, This Is the End, and The Disaster Artist, winning a Golden Globe for the latter. Franco received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for his performance in 127 Hours.

Sections (6)

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

1940: Daniel Verovitz changed his name

Sometime after 1940, James Franco's maternal grandfather, Daniel Verovitz, changed his surname to Verne.

April 19, 1978: James Franco Born

On April 19, 1978, James Edward Franco was born. He would go on to become an American actor and filmmaker.

Others born on this day/year

1996: Graduated High School

In 1996, James Franco graduated from Palo Alto High School, where he acted in plays.

1998: Attended CSSSA for Theater Studies

In 1998, James Franco attended CSSSA (California State Summer School for the Arts) for theater studies.

February 11, 2006: First Public Painting Display

On February 11, 2006, James Franco's paintings were displayed publicly for the first time at the Glü Gallery in Los Angeles.

2006: Re-enrolls at UCLA

In autumn 2006, James Franco, dissatisfied with his career's direction, reenrolled at UCLA as an English major with a creative writing concentration.

June 2008: Graduates from UCLA

In June 2008, James Franco received his undergraduate degree from UCLA with a GPA of 3.5/4.0, after completing his honors thesis as a novel.

September 23, 2010: Erroneous Announcement of "D" Grade

On September 23, 2010, James Franco erroneously announced that he received a "D" grade in an "Acting" class at the NYU Graduate Film School.

2010: Receives M.F.A. from Columbia

In 2010, James Franco received his M.F.A. from Columbia University School of the Arts while simultaneously attending graduate school at multiple institutions.

2011: First European Art Exhibition

In 2011, James Franco launched his first European art exhibition at Peres Projects in Berlin.

2011: Teaching Film at NYU

In 2011, James Franco taught a graduate-level film course at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. He also has taught film classes at USC and UCLA, and a screenwriting class online, and helped attract actors to his students' projects.

March 2015: Discussion of Sexuality

In March 2015, James Franco discussed his sexuality in an interview with Four Two Nine magazine, stating, "I like to think that I'm gay in my art and straight in my life."

2015: Official Bar Mitzvah Ceremony

In 2015, James Franco had an official bar mitzvah ceremony, presided over by a rabbi.

2015: Dear James Franco Production

In 2015, a Chicago-based theater company, Under the Gun Theater, developed a show inspired by and titled after Franco called Dear James Franco, which satirized letters to and by celebrities.