James Franco

Biography

James Franco is an American actor and filmmaker. Born in Palo Alto, California, he first gained attention on the short-lived television series Freaks and Geeks. He won a Golden Globe for the biographical television film James Dean. He became widely known for playing Harry Osborn in the Spider-Man trilogy (2002-2007). His other films include Milk (2008), for which he won an Independent Spirit Award, Pineapple Express (2008), 127 Hours (2010), which earned him an Academy Award nomination, Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011), Spring Breakers (2012), This Is the End (2013), The Interview (2014), and The Disaster Artist (2017), winning a Golden Globe for Best Actor. He has also directed films, including As I Lay Dying and The Disaster Artist, and starred in the television series 11.22.63 and The Deuce.

48years old

Turns 49 on April 19in 188 days

Born April 19, 1978Palo Alto
Star sign: AriesLast day of the sign, on the Taurus cusp
James Edward Franco (birth name)

Movie Career

Films: 81
Career span: 25 years1999 to 2024

Genres

Drama67%, 54 films
Comedy25%, 20 films
Crime21%, 17 films
Biography17%, 14 films
Action16%, 13 films

First and latest

Photos

Did you know?!

First role
Franco's first paid acting job was a television commercial for Pizza Hut, and the ad featured a dancing Elvis Presley.

James Franco movies on Netflix

Hey Joe2024IMDb rating 6.4as Dean Barry
Arctic Dogs2019IMDb rating 4.9as Lemmy (voice)
Zeroville2019IMDb rating 4.6as Vikar
Freaks and Geeks: The Documentary2018IMDb rating 8.3as Himself
Future World2018IMDb rating 3.3as Warlord
The Ballad of Buster Scruggs2018IMDb rating 7.2as Cowboy (segment "Near Algodones")
Alien: Covenant2017IMDb rating 6.4as Jacob Branson
High School Lover2017IMDb rating 4.8as Rick Winters
The Disaster Artist2017IMDb rating 7.3as Tommy / 'Johnny'
The Institute2017IMDb rating 4.2as Dr. Cairn
The Mad Whale2017IMDb rating 5.6as Edward Fry
The Vault2017IMDb rating 4.9as Ed Mass
Goat2016IMDb rating 5.7as Mitch
In Dubious Battle2016IMDb rating 6.0as Mac McLeod
King Cobra2016IMDb rating 5.6as Joe Kerekes
Mother, May I Sleep with Danger?2016IMDb rating 3.9as Director
Sausage Party2016IMDb rating 6.1as Toast (voice)
Why Him?2016IMDb rating 6.2as Laird Mayhew
Yosemite2016IMDb rating 4.7as Phil
Don Quixote: The Ingenious Gentleman of La Mancha2015IMDb rating 5.3as Pasamonte
Every Thing Will Be Fine2015IMDb rating 5.5as Tomas Eldan
I Am Michael2015IMDb rating 5.6as Michael Glatze
Queen of the Desert2015IMDb rating 5.7as Henry Cadogan
The Adderall Diaries2015IMDb rating 5.1as Stephen Elliott
The Heyday of the Insensitive Bastards2015IMDb rating 4.3as Conrad
The Night Before2015IMDb rating 6.4as James Franco
True Story2015IMDb rating 6.3as Christian Longo
Wild Horses2015IMDb rating 4.8as Ben Briggs
Good People2014IMDb rating 5.5as Tom Wright
The Interview2014IMDb rating 6.5as Dave Skylark
As I Lay Dying2013IMDb rating 5.3as Darl Bundren
Child of God2013IMDb rating 5.4as Jerry
Comedy Central Roast of James Franco2013IMDb rating 7.7as Self - Roastee
Homefront2013IMDb rating 6.5as Morgan 'Gator' Bodine
Interior. Leather Bar.2013IMDb rating 5.0as James
Lovelace2013IMDb rating 6.2as Hugh Hefner
Mademoiselle C2013IMDb rating 5.6as Himself
Oz the Great and Powerful2013IMDb rating 6.3as Oz
Palo Alto2013IMDb rating 6.1as Mr. B
Third Person2013IMDb rating 6.3as Rick
This Is the End2013IMDb rating 6.6as James Franco
About Cherry2012IMDb rating 4.8as Frances
Marina Abramovic: The Artist Is Present2012IMDb rating 7.8as Himself
Spring Breakers2012IMDb rating 5.3as Alien
The Iceman2012IMDb rating 6.8as Marty Freeman
Eames: The Architect & The Painter2011IMDb rating 7.1
Rise of the Planet of the Apes2011IMDb rating 7.6as Will Rodman
The Broken Tower2011IMDb rating 4.8as Hart Crane
Your Highness2011IMDb rating 5.5as Fabious
127 Hours2010IMDb rating 7.5as Aron Ralston
Date Night2010IMDb rating 6.3as Taste
Eat Pray Love2010IMDb rating 5.9as David Piccolo
Howl2010IMDb rating 6.6as Allen Ginsberg
Love and Distrust2010IMDb rating 3.5as Travis (segment "Grasshopper")
Saturday Night2010IMDb rating 7.1as Himself
Shadows & Lies2010IMDb rating 4.0as William Vincent
With Great Power: The Stan Lee Story2010IMDb rating 7.0as Himself
Camille2008IMDb rating 5.9as Silias
Milk2008IMDb rating 7.5as Scott Smith
Pineapple Express2008IMDb rating 6.9as Saul Silver
An American Crime2007IMDb rating 7.2as Andy
Finishing the Game: The Search for a New Bruce Lee2007IMDb rating 5.9as Dean Silo
Good Time Max2007IMDb rating 5.9as Max
In the Valley of Elah2007IMDb rating 7.1as Sergeant Carnelli
Interview2007IMDb rating 6.7as Boyfriend on Phone (voice)
Spider-Man 32007IMDb rating 6.3as New Goblin / Harry Osborn
Annapolis2006IMDb rating 5.8as Jake Huard
Flyboys2006IMDb rating 6.5as Blaine Rawlings
The Dead Girl2006IMDb rating 6.5as Derek
Tristan + Isolde2006IMDb rating 6.8as Tristan
The Great Raid2005IMDb rating 6.6as Captain Prince
Spider-Man 22004IMDb rating 7.5as Harry Osborn
The Company2003IMDb rating 6.2as Josh
City by the Sea2002IMDb rating 6.1as Joey
Deuces Wild2002IMDb rating 5.6as Tino
Sonny2002IMDb rating 5.6as Sonny
Spider-Man2002IMDb rating 7.4as Harry Osborn
You Always Stalk the Ones You Love2002IMDb rating 6.4
James Dean2001IMDb rating 7.1as James Dean
Whatever It Takes2000IMDb rating 5.5as Chris
Never Been Kissed1999IMDb rating 6.0as Jason

Best known for

The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.

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Spider-Man 22004 Action, Adventure, Fantasyas Harry Osborn
IMDb rating 7.5809K votes
Spider-Man2002 Action, Adventureas Harry Osborn
IMDb rating 7.4998K votes
Spider-Man 32007as New Goblin / Harry Osborn
IMDb rating 6.3720K votes
127 Hours2010as Aron Ralston
IMDb rating 7.5428K votes
This Is the End2013as James Franco
IMDb rating 6.6459K votes
Rise of the Planet of the Apes2011as Will Rodman
IMDb rating 7.6610K votes
The Interview2014as Dave Skylark
IMDb rating 6.5380K votes
Pineapple Express2008as Saul Silver
IMDb rating 6.9376K votes

Most often with

Sam Raimi directed four of these films, Evan Goldberg two and Seth Rogen two. Seth Rogen appears in ten of them, more than any other actor. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.

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Seth Rogen

Danny McBride

Vince Jolivette

Jim Parrack

Kirsten Dunst

Dave Franco

Sam RaimiDirector, 4 films Evan GoldbergDirector, 2 films

Seth RogenDirector, 2 films

Films together

Seth Rogen10 films together, 2008 to 2019
Seth Rogen's page
- Zeroville2019IMDb rating 4.6Franco as VikarRogen as Viking Man
- Freaks and Geeks: The Documentary2018IMDb rating 8.3Franco as HimselfRogen as Himself
- The Disaster Artist2017IMDb rating 7.3Franco as Tommy / 'Johnny'Rogen as Sandy
- Sausage Party2016IMDb rating 6.1Franco as ToastvoiceRogen as Frankvoice
- The Night Before2015IMDb rating 6.4Franco as James FrancoRogen as Isaac
- The Interview2014IMDb rating 6.5Franco as Dave SkylarkRogen as Aaron Rapaport
- Comedy Central Roast of James Franco2013IMDb rating 7.7Franco as Self - RoasteeRogen as Self - Roast Master
- This Is the End2013IMDb rating 6.6Franco as James FrancoRogen as Seth Rogen
- With Great Power: The Stan Lee Story2010IMDb rating 7.0Franco as HimselfRogen as Himself
- Pineapple Express2008IMDb rating 6.9Franco as Saul SilverRogen as Dale Denton
Danny McBride8 films together, 2008 to 2019
Danny McBride's page
- Zeroville2019IMDb rating 4.6Franco as VikarMcBride as Slim
- Alien: Covenant2017IMDb rating 6.4Franco as Jacob BransonMcBride as Tennessee
- In Dubious Battle2016IMDb rating 6.0Franco as Mac McLeodMcBride as Tramp
- Sausage Party2016IMDb rating 6.1Franco as ToastvoiceMcBride as Honey Mustardvoice
- As I Lay Dying2013IMDb rating 5.3Franco as Darl BundrenMcBride as Vernon Tull
- This Is the End2013IMDb rating 6.6Franco as James FrancoMcBride as Danny McBride
- Your Highness2011IMDb rating 5.5Franco as FabiousMcBride as Thadeous
- Pineapple Express2008IMDb rating 6.9Franco as Saul SilverMcBride as Red
Vince Jolivette7 films together, 2002 to 2019
Vince Jolivette's page
- Zeroville2019IMDb rating 4.6Franco as VikarJolivette as The Financier
- The Mad Whale2017IMDb rating 5.6Franco as Edward FryJolivette as Board Member
- As I Lay Dying2013IMDb rating 5.3Franco as Darl BundrenJolivette as Young Whitfield
- Child of God2013IMDb rating 5.4Franco as JerryJolivette as Ernest
- The Broken Tower2011IMDb rating 4.8Franco as Hart CraneJolivette as American Man in Paris
- Good Time Max2007IMDb rating 5.9Franco as MaxJolivette as Bruce
- You Always Stalk the Ones You Love2002IMDb rating 6.4Jolivette as Ray
Jim Parrack6 films together, 2006 to 2015
Jim Parrack's page
- The Adderall Diaries2015IMDb rating 5.1Franco as Stephen ElliottParrack as Roger
- The Heyday of the Insensitive Bastards2015IMDb rating 4.3Franco as ConradParrack as Paul
- Wild Horses2015IMDb rating 4.8Franco as Ben BriggsParrack as Deputy Rogers
- As I Lay Dying2013IMDb rating 5.3Franco as Darl BundrenParrack as Cash
- Child of God2013IMDb rating 5.4Franco as JerryParrack as Deputy Cotton
- Annapolis2006IMDb rating 5.8Franco as Jake HuardParrack as AJ
Kirsten Dunst5 films together, 2002 to 2013
Kirsten Dunst's page
- Mademoiselle C2013IMDb rating 5.6Franco as HimselfDunst as Himself
- With Great Power: The Stan Lee Story2010IMDb rating 7.0Franco as HimselfDunst as Himself
- Spider-Man 32007IMDb rating 6.3Franco as New Goblin / Harry OsbornDunst as Mary Jane Watson
- Spider-Man 22004IMDb rating 7.5Franco as Harry OsbornDunst as Mary Jane Watson
- Spider-Man2002IMDb rating 7.4Franco as Harry OsbornDunst as Mary Jane Watson
Dave Franco5 films together, 2008 to 2019
Dave Franco's page
- Zeroville2019IMDb rating 4.6Franco as VikarFranco as Montgomery Clift
- The Disaster Artist2017IMDb rating 7.3Franco as Tommy / 'Johnny'Franco as Greg / 'Mark'
- Comedy Central Roast of James Franco2013IMDb rating 7.7Franco as Self - RoasteeFranco as Himself
- The Broken Tower2011IMDb rating 4.8Franco as Hart CraneFranco as Young Hart Crane
- Milk2008IMDb rating 7.5Franco as Scott SmithFranco as Telephone Tree #5
Sam RaimiDirector, 4 films, 2002 to 2013
All films by Sam Raimi
- Oz the Great and Powerful2013IMDb rating 6.3Franco as Oz
- Spider-Man 32007IMDb rating 6.3Franco as New Goblin / Harry Osborn
- Spider-Man 22004IMDb rating 7.5Franco as Harry Osborn
- Spider-Man2002IMDb rating 7.4Franco as Harry Osborn
Evan GoldbergDirector, 2 films, 2013 to 2014
All films by Evan Goldberg
- The Interview2014IMDb rating 6.5Franco as Dave Skylark
- This Is the End2013IMDb rating 6.6Franco as James Franco
Seth RogenDirector, 2 films, 2013 to 2014
All films by Seth Rogen
- The Interview2014IMDb rating 6.5Franco as Dave Skylark
- This Is the End2013IMDb rating 6.6Franco as James Franco

Box office

What James Franco's films earned in cinemas worldwide.

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Combined worldwide box office

$5.1 billion

52 of the 81 films have a worldwide figure.

52Worldwide figure
6US gross only
5Never in cinemas
18Figure not found

Top grosser

Spider-Man 32007New Goblin / Harry Osborn$895 million

Highest grossing

The eight biggest films earned 80% of the total. The bars are drawn to scale.

1
Spider-Man 32007as New Goblin / Harry Osborn
$895M17.5% of the total
2
Spider-Man2002as Harry Osborn
$822M16.0% of the total
3
Spider-Man 22004as Harry Osborn
$789M15.4% of the total
4
Oz the Great and Powerful2013as Oz
$492M9.6% of the total
5
Rise of the Planet of the Apes2011as Will Rodman
$482M9.4% of the total
6
Alien: Covenant2017as Jacob Branson
$241M4.7% of the total
7
Eat Pray Love2010as David Piccolo
$205M4.0% of the total
8
Date Night2010as Taste
$152M3.0% of the total

The Disaster Artist (2017), $29.8 million

In the Valley of Elah (2007), $29.5 million

$1.0 billionfrom the other 44 films with a worldwide figure, 20% of the total

Awards

Four awards and honors from 2002 to 2010, one of them major.

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James Franco's awards and nominations, grouped by award
Year	Award	Film	Result
Golden Globes
2002	Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film	James Dean	Won
Other honors
2010	Indiana Film Journalists Association Award for Best Actor		Won
	Golden Shell		Won
	Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame		Honored

Online

Official profiles and reference pages.

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