James Franco is a highly recognized American actor, filmmaker, and collaborator renowned for his roles in popular movies such as the Spider-Man trilogy, Milk, 127 Hours, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, and Oz the Great and Powerful. He has frequently worked with Seth Rogen on comedic films such as Pineapple Express, This is the End, and The Disaster Artist, the latter earning him a Golden Globe Award. His performance in 127 Hours also secured him an Academy Award nomination.
1940: Name Change of Franco's Maternal Grandfather
James Franco's maternal grandfather, Daniel, changed his surname from "Verovitz" to "Verne" sometime after 1940.
April 19, 1978: Birth of James Edward Franco
James Edward Franco was born on April 19, 1978 in Palo Alto, California.
1991: "My Own Private Idaho" Filming & Release
The movie "My Own Private Idaho," which James Franco later used footage from for his project "Unfinished," was filmed and released in 1991.
1996: Graduation from Palo Alto High School
James Franco graduated from Palo Alto High School in 1996, where he began acting in plays.
1998: Attending CSSSA for Theater Studies
James Franco attended the California State Summer School for the Arts (CSSSA) to study theater in 1998.
1999: James Franco and Marla Sokoloff's Relationship Began
In 1999, James Franco started dating co-star Marla Sokoloff after meeting on the set of 'Whatever It Takes'. The two were in a relationship for five years.
1999: Breakthrough Role in "Freaks and Geeks"
James Franco's first notable role was Daniel Desario in the television series "Freaks and Geeks" in 1999.
1999: First Paid Acting Role
James Franco's first paid acting role was in a Pizza Hut commercial featuring a dancing Elvis Presley in 1999.
2000: Cancellation of "Freaks and Geeks"
Despite critical acclaim, "Freaks and Geeks" was canceled after one season in 2000.
2000: Appearance in "Whatever It Takes"
James Franco appeared in the teen romantic comedy "Whatever It Takes," a modern adaptation of Cyrano de Bergerac, in 2000.
2001: Method Acting for "James Dean"
To prepare for his role as James Dean in the 2001 biopic, James Franco immersed himself in the character, taking up smoking, changing his appearance, and isolating himself to embody Dean's persona.
2001: Golden Globe Win for "James Dean"
James Franco won a Golden Globe Award for his portrayal of James Dean in the television film "James Dean" in 2001.
2002: Starring Roles in "Sonny" and "City by the Sea"
James Franco starred in "Sonny," directed by Nicolas Cage, where he played a discharged Army veteran. He prepared for the role by meeting with sex workers. He also starred as a homeless drug addict in "City by the Sea," for which he lived on the streets and interacted with drug addicts to immerse himself in the character.
2002: Breakthrough Role in "Spider-Man"
James Franco gained international recognition for his role as Harry Osborn in Sam Raimi's "Spider-Man" in 2002.
2003: Appearance in Robert Altman's "The Company"
James Franco co-starred with Neve Campbell in Robert Altman's ballet movie "The Company" in 2003.
2004: Reprising Role in "Spider-Man 2"
James Franco reprised his role as Harry Osborn in the highly successful sequel "Spider-Man 2," which received critical acclaim and broke box office records.
2005: Appearance in "The Ape" and "The Great Raid"
In 2005, James Franco starred in "The Ape," a black comedy, and "The Great Raid," a war film where he played a captain in the US Army's Sixth Ranger Battalion.
February 11, 2006: First Public Art Exhibition
James Franco's paintings were first exhibited publicly at the Glü Gallery in Los Angeles from January 7 to February 11, 2006.
September 2006: Release of Flyboys and The Wicker Man
In September 2006, James Franco starred in "Flyboys" after completing training for his Private Pilot Licence for the role. The same month, he appeared in "The Wicker Man," a remake of the classic horror film. He also made a cameo appearance in the romantic comedy "The Holiday."
2006: James Franco Reenrolls at UCLA
In autumn 2006, James Franco reenrolled at UCLA as an English major with a focus on creative writing. He managed to balance his acting career with his academic pursuits, taking up to 62 course credits per quarter.
2007: Mixed Reception for "Spider-Man 3" and Other Projects
James Franco appeared in "Spider-Man 3," which received mixed reviews but was financially successful. He also appeared in "Knocked Up," "Camille," "Interview," and directed and starred in "Good Time Max," where he chose to play a drug-using character.
2007: Conclusion of "Spider-Man" Trilogy
James Franco reprised his role as Harry Osborn in "Spider-Man 3," marking the end of the original trilogy, in 2007.
June 2008: James Franco Graduates from UCLA
In June 2008, James Franco graduated from UCLA with a GPA of 3.5/4.0. He majored in English with a creative writing concentration and completed his departmental honors thesis as a novel under Mona Simpson's supervision.
September 20, 2008: First Time Hosting "Saturday Night Live"
On September 20, 2008, James Franco hosted the sketch comedy show "Saturday Night Live" (SNL) for the first time.
2008: Becomes the Face of Gucci's Men's Fragrance
James Franco was named the face of Gucci's men's fragrance line in 2008.
2008: Collaboration with Seth Rogen in "Pineapple Express"
James Franco collaborated with Seth Rogen on the comedy "Pineapple Express" in 2008, marking the beginning of their frequent partnerships.
2008: Acclaim for Performance in "Milk" and Other Projects
James Franco starred in "Pineapple Express," receiving a Golden Globe nomination for his performance. He also appeared in "Milk," for which he won an Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Actor. His performance in "Milk" was critically acclaimed.
June 12, 2009: James Franco Withdraws from UCLA Commencement Speech
On June 12, 2009, James Franco was set to be the commencement speaker at UCLA. However, he withdrew from the role on June 3, citing a conflict with film pre-production.
December 19, 2009: Second Time Hosting "Saturday Night Live"
James Franco hosted "Saturday Night Live" (SNL) for the second time on December 19, 2009.
2009: Recurring Role in "General Hospital"
In late 2009, James Franco joined the cast of the daytime soap opera "General Hospital" in a recurring role as Franco, a multimedia artist.
2009: Recurring Role on "General Hospital"
James Franco took on a recurring role in the daytime soap opera "General Hospital" in 2009.
2009: Named Sexiest Man Living by Salon
James Franco was recognized as the "Sexiest Man Living" by Salon in 2009.
May 2010: Cast in "Rise of the Planet of the Apes"
James Franco was cast in the $93 million budgeted "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" in May 2010.
May 2010: Short Films Presented at Maryland Film Festival
James Franco's short films "The Feast of Stephen" and "Herbert White" were presented at the Maryland Film Festival in May 2010.
June 2010: First Solo Art Exhibition in New York City
In June 2010, James Franco's first solo art exhibition, "The Dangerous Book Four Boys," opened at The Clocktower Gallery in New York City.
September 2010: Acquisition of Rights to "The Adderall Diaries"
In September 2010, James Franco acquired the rights to Stephen Elliott's "The Adderall Diaries," with plans to adapt, direct, and star in the film adaptation.
September 23, 2010: James Franco Misstates Grade in NYU Class
On September 23, 2010, James Franco incorrectly announced that he received a 'D' in an 'Acting' class at NYU, which was actually a 'Directing the Actor' class. This led to a defamation lawsuit by his professor, which was settled in September 2013.
October 19, 2010: "Palo Alto" Publication
On October 19, 2010, Scribner published James Franco's short story collection, "Palo Alto." The book, inspired by Franco's adolescence and submissions from Palo Alto Senior High School students, explores teenage life in Palo Alto.
November 5, 2010: Critical Acclaim and Awards for "127 Hours"
"127 Hours," directed by Danny Boyle and starring James Franco as Aron Ralston, was released on November 5, 2010. Franco's performance received universal acclaim, earning him nominations for an Academy Award, Golden Globe, and SAG Award. He also won an Independent Spirit Award for his role.
2010: "Herbert White" Short Film
James Franco directed a short film adaptation of Frank Bidart's poem "Herbert White" in 2010.
2010: Appearance in "30 Rock," "Date Night," "Eat Pray Love," and "Howl"
James Franco began 2010 with a guest appearance on the sitcom "30 Rock." He then appeared in the commercially successful films "Date Night" and "Eat Pray Love." Later that year, he played poet Allen Ginsberg in the drama "Howl."
2010: James Franco Receives MFA from Columbia University
In 2010, James Franco received his MFA from Columbia University. He was also studying in the Ph.D. program in English at Yale University and attended other institutions for various programs.
2010: Franco's "General Hospital" Experiences Exhibited at MOCA
In the summer of 2010, both the fictional James Franco from "General Hospital" and the real James Franco were subjects of exhibits at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles.
2010: Critical Acclaim for "127 Hours"
James Franco received critical acclaim and an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for his performance in the biographical survival drama "127 Hours" in 2010.
January 2011: Sundance Film Festival Screening
In January 2011, James Franco presented his multimedia project "Three's Company The Drama" at the Sundance Film Festival.
January 2011: James Franco Honored for Charity Work at Art of Elysium Heaven Gala
In January 2011, James Franco was recognized at the Art of Elysium Heaven Gala in Los Angeles for his volunteer work with the charity, which supports children facing serious medical conditions. He received the Spirit of Elysium award.
January 2011: Announced as Director and Star of "The Night Stalker"
It was announced in January 2011 that James Franco would direct and star in "The Night Stalker," a film adaptation of Philip Carlo's book about serial killer Richard Ramirez.
January 26, 2011: James Franco Releases Satirical Video
On January 26, 2011, James Franco and the Harvard Lampoon released a satirical video on Funny or Die, mocking his last-minute cancellation of the UCLA commencement speech.
February 23, 2011: Cameo Appearance on "Minute to Win It"
On February 23, 2011, James Franco made a cameo appearance on NBC's "Minute to Win It," where Aron Ralston, the real-life inspiration for the film "127 Hours," was a contestant playing for charity.
February 27, 2011: 83rd Academy Awards Hosting
James Franco and Anne Hathaway co-hosted the 83rd Academy Awards on February 27, 2011, aiming to attract a younger audience. The show faced criticism, with some deeming Franco's performance lackluster.
March 31, 2011: James Franco Participates in "An Evening with James Franco" Benefit
On March 31, 2011, James Franco participated in a fundraising dinner for 826DC, a non-profit after-school literature program in Washington D.C. The event, titled "An Evening with James Franco," highlighted his support for literacy initiatives.
April 2011: James Franco Supports Japanese Tsunami Relief
James Franco autographed a T-shirt in April 2011 to be auctioned off to raise funds for Japanese tsunami relief through the Yoshiki Foundation.
July 2011: Filming Begins for "Oz the Great and Powerful"
Filming for "Oz the Great and Powerful," starring James Franco, began in July 2011.
August 5, 2011: Release of "Rise of the Planet of the Apes"
On August 5, 2011, "Rise of the Planet of the Apes," a reboot of the Planet of the Apes series starring James Franco, was released.
August 2011: James Franco and Ahna O'Reilly's Breakup
In August 2011, James Franco confirmed in an interview with Playboy magazine that he had ended his relationship with actress Ahna O'Reilly. Franco cited his interest in education as a contributing factor to their separation.
2011: Media Attention and Parody
James Franco's frequent media coverage, particularly regarding his educational pursuits and claims of misquoting, led to a parody on "SNL's Weekend Update" in 2011.
2011: European Art Exhibition Debut
James Franco held his first European art exhibition at Peres Projects in Berlin in 2011.
2011: Teaching at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts
James Franco began teaching a graduate-level film course at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts in 2011, in addition to teaching at USC, UCLA, and online.
2011: Multidisciplinary Artistic Endeavors
In 2011, James Franco debuted as a dance-theater director, directed music videos for R.E.M., and released his docudrama "The Broken Tower" about poet Hart Crane.
2011: Starring in "Rise of the Planet of the Apes"
James Franco starred in the science fiction film "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" in 2011.
February 2012: Filming Begins for "Child of God"
James Franco began filming "Child of God," a film adaptation of Cormac McCarthy's 1973 novella, in February 2012.
April 2012: Ranked on Shalom Life's List of Attractive Jewish Men
James Franco and his brother, Dave, were ranked second on Shalom Life's list of the 50 most talented and attractive Jewish men in April 2012.
September 2012: Daddy's First Single and EP Release
James Franco's band, Daddy, released their first single "Love in the Old Days" and EP "MotorCity" in September 2012.
September 2012: Defamation Lawsuit Filed Against James Franco
In September 2012, Franco's former professor, José Angel Santana, filed a defamation lawsuit against him. Santana claimed Franco's comments about his teaching led to his termination.
2012: "The Broken Tower" DVD Release
James Franco's docudrama "The Broken Tower" was released on DVD in 2012.
2012: Departure from "General Hospital"
James Franco concluded his recurring role on "General Hospital" in 2012.
2012: Appearance in Harmony Korine's "Spring Breakers"
James Franco appeared in the controversial crime film "Spring Breakers," directed by Harmony Korine, in 2012.
March 8, 2013: Release of "Oz the Great and Powerful"
"Oz the Great and Powerful," a Disney prequel to L. Frank Baum's "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" starring James Franco, was released on March 8, 2013.
March 2013: James Franco Featured in UCLA Advertisements
In March 2013, James Franco appeared in half-page print advertisements for UCLA, celebrating his achievements as a 'prolific academic' with the tagline 'Some A-Listers Actually Get A's'.
March 2013: Broadway Debut Announced for "Of Mice and Men"
In March 2013, it was announced that James Franco would make his Broadway debut in a revival of John Steinbeck's "Of Mice and Men" in 2014.
July 9, 2013: Comedy Central Roast Announcement
On July 9, 2013, it was announced that James Franco would be the roastee on the Comedy Central Roast.
September 2, 2013: Comedy Central Roast
James Franco was roasted on Comedy Central on September 2, 2013.
September 2013: Oscar Campaign for "Spring Breakers" Performance
In September 2013, A24 Films launched a campaign in support of a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination for James Franco's performance in "Spring Breakers.
September 2013: James Franco Settles Defamation Lawsuit
In September 2013, James Franco and José Angel Santana settled the defamation lawsuit. Santana's attorney stated the matter was resolved to the mutual satisfaction of both parties.
October 2013: Appearance in Thirty Seconds to Mars Music Video
James Franco appeared in the music video for "City of Angels" by Thirty Seconds to Mars in October 2013.
December 2013: Article on "Selfies" in The New York Times
James Franco wrote and published an article in The New York Times in December 2013 explaining his tendency to post "selfies."
2013: "As I Lay Dying" Screened at Cannes Film Festival
James Franco directed a film version of William Faulkner's "As I Lay Dying," which was screened at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival.
2013: Featured in "Man of the World" Magazine
James Franco was featured as the cover model and in a feature article in the men's magazine "Man of the World" in 2013.
2013: Multiple Projects and Collaborations
James Franco starred in "Oz the Great and Powerful" and reunited with Seth Rogen for "This Is the End" in 2013.
February 2014: Support for Shia LaBeouf's Performance Art
James Franco showed his support for Shia LaBeouf's metamodernist performance art in an article published in The New York Times in February 2014.
April 2014: Directs and Appears in Gucci Short Film
James Franco directed and appeared in "Techno Color Sunglasses," a short film promoting Gucci's eyewear collection, in April 2014.
April 2014: James Franco Presents at Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS Easter Bonnet Competition
James Franco joined Leighton Meester and Chris O'Dowd to present at the Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS Easter Bonnet Competition in April 2014, after raising donations through his Broadway show, "Of Mice and Men."
April 2014: "Directing Herbert White" Publication
In April 2014, Graywolf Press published "Directing Herbert White," James Franco's debut poetry collection. The title references a Frank Bidart poem, whom Franco considers a mentor.
June 2014: James Franco Performs in Broadway Bares Benefit
In June 2014, James Franco showed his support for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS by performing in their annual benefit, Broadway Bares.
2014: James Franco Involved in Instagram Scandal
In 2014, James Franco faced media backlash after a seventeen-year-old girl posted screenshots of their conversations on Instagram. Franco, then 35, attempted to meet her in a hotel room, which he later admitted to on Live! With Kelly and Michael. He expressed embarrassment and stated he had learned his lesson.
March 2015: James Franco Discusses Sexuality
In March 2015, James Franco addressed his sexuality in an interview with Four Two Nine magazine. He discussed historical perceptions of homosexuality and stated, "I'm gay in my art and straight in my life."
April 2015: "I Am Michael" and "True Story" Premiere at Sundance
In April 2015, two of James Franco's films, "I Am Michael" and "True Story," premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.
2015: James Franco's Bar Mitzvah Ceremony
In 2015, despite his secular upbringing, James Franco had an official bar mitzvah ceremony presided over by a rabbi. This event marked a significant moment in Franco's exploration of his Jewish heritage and his connection to religion as a source of community.
2015: Cast in "11.22.63"
James Franco was cast in the lead role for the Hulu miniseries adaptation of Stephen King's "11.22.63" in 2015.
2015: Publication of "McDonald's Was There for Me When No One Else Was"
James Franco wrote an editorial titled "McDonald's Was There for Me When No One Else Was" for The Washington Post in 2015, reflecting on his time working at McDonald's.
2015: "Dear James Franco" Theatrical Production
The Chicago-based Under the Gun Theater premiered "Dear James Franco" in 2015. The play satirized celebrity culture using letters to and from James Franco as a framework.
February 15, 2016: Premiere of Hulu Series "11.22.63"
The Hulu limited series "11.22.63," based on Stephen King's novel and starring James Franco, premiered on February 15, 2016.
December 2016: Release of "Why Him?"
The comedy "Why Him?," starring James Franco, Zoey Deutch, and Bryan Cranston, was released in December 2016.
2016: James Franco Admits to Sexual Addiction and Having Sex with Students
In 2016, James Franco began treatment for sexual addiction. Later, in December 2021, he publicly admitted to having had sexual relationships with his students. However, he did not address other allegations of sexual exploitation.
2016: Filming of "The Disaster Artist"
James Franco directed, co-produced, and starred in "The Disaster Artist," a film adaptation of Greg Sestero's book about the making of "The Room," in 2016.
2016: Voice Acting in "Sausage Party"
James Franco lent his voice to the adult animated comedy "Sausage Party," collaborating once again with Seth Rogen, in 2016.
2016: Starring in "11.22.63"
James Franco starred in the Hulu miniseries "11.22.63," based on the novel by Stephen King, in 2016.
May 19, 2017: Release of "Alien: Covenant"
"Alien: Covenant," an "Alien" prequel featuring James Franco, was released on May 19, 2017.
December 1, 2017: Release of "The Disaster Artist"
"The Disaster Artist," directed by, co-produced by, and starring James Franco as Tommy Wiseau, was released on December 1, 2017.
2017: Golden Globe Win for "The Disaster Artist"
James Franco won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor for his performance in "The Disaster Artist" in 2017, a film he also directed and produced.
2017: Premiere of "The Deuce"
The HBO drama series "The Deuce," starring James Franco and created by David Simon, premiered in 2017.
2017: Franco Shifts Focus
At the end of 2017, James Franco, nearing the age of 40, decided to slow down his career to focus on himself.
January 9, 2018: James Franco Faces Allegations After Golden Globe Awards
On January 9, 2018, The New York Times canceled a planned event with James Franco after allegations surfaced about his inappropriate behavior. This followed his appearance at the Golden Globe Awards, where he wore a Time's Up pin in solidarity with the MeToo movement.
January 11, 2018: James Franco Accused of Inappropriate Behavior
On January 11, 2018, the Los Angeles Times reported that five women accused James Franco of inappropriate or sexually exploitative behavior during his time as their acting teacher or mentor. Franco's attorney disputed the allegations.
2018: Busy Philipps Alleges James Franco's Misconduct
In 2018, Busy Philipps alleged in her memoir that James Franco screamed at her and violently shoved her to the ground while on the set of 'Freaks and Geeks'.
October 3, 2019: James Franco Sued by Former Students
On October 3, 2019, two former students of James Franco's acting school filed a lawsuit against him, alleging that the program was a scheme to exploit young female performers. They claimed they were subjected to sexually exploitative auditions and film shoots.
2019: Conclusion of "The Deuce"
The final season of "The Deuce" aired in 2019, concluding James Franco's run in the series.
February 21, 2021: Lawsuit Settlement Reported
On February 21, 2021, it was reported that James Franco had settled a lawsuit filed against him by two former students who had accused him of sexual exploitation.
March 15, 2021: Deadline for Preliminary Court Approval of Settlement
By March 15, 2021, a deal regarding the lawsuit settlement was submitted for preliminary court approval.
April 2021: Charlyne Yi's Allegations and Seth Rogen's Response
In April 2021, actress Charlyne Yi, who worked with James Franco on "The Disaster Artist," alleged that she was offered a bigger role in the film after trying to quit due to the sexual misconduct allegations against Franco. Yi perceived this as an attempted bribe. Seth Rogen, a frequent collaborator of Franco's, expressed doubts about working with him again in light of the allegations.
June 2021: Settlement Terms Revealed
In June 2021, the terms of the settlement were made public. James Franco agreed to pay over $2.2 million to resolve the legal disputes.
December 23, 2021: First Interview in Four Years on Jess Cagle Podcast
On December 23, 2021, James Franco gave his first interview in almost four years on the Jess Cagle Podcast.
2021: Sexual Misconduct Settlement
James Franco reached a $2 million settlement in 2021 following lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct during his time teaching acting.
August 2022: Cast as Fidel Castro in "Alina of Cuba"
James Franco was cast as Fidel Castro in "Alina in Cuba" in August 2022. The casting decision was supported by Fidel Castro's daughter.