James Franco

James Edward Franco, born April 19, 1978, is an American actor and filmmaker. He is widely recognized for his portrayal of Harry Osborn in Sam Raimi's Spider-Man trilogy (2002–2007), as well as his roles in films such as Milk (2008), Eat Pray Love (2010), Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011), Spring Breakers (2012), and Oz the Great and Powerful (2013). He has frequently collaborated with actor Seth Rogen on comedic projects including Pineapple Express (2008), This Is the End (2013), The Interview (2014), Sausage Party (2016), and The Disaster Artist (2017).

Franco was born in Palo Alto, California, to Betsy Lou, a children's book author and occasional actress, and Douglas Eugene Franco, who operated a Silicon Valley business. He grew up in California alongside his two younger brothers, Tom and Dave, both of whom also became actors. After graduating from Palo Alto High School in 1996, Franco enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) as an English major. He dropped out after his first year to pursue acting, taking lessons with Robert Carnegie at the Playhouse West while supporting himself by working late nights at McDonald's.

Following 15 months of acting training, Franco began auditioning in Los Angeles, securing his first paid acting job in a Pizza Hut television commercial. His career breakthrough arrived in 1999 when he was cast as Daniel Desario on the ensemble comedy-drama series Freaks and Geeks, which later became a cult hit. In 2001, he played the title role in the biographical television movie James Dean, earning a Golden Globe Award alongside nominations for a Primetime Emmy Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award.

Franco reached global prominence with his role in the successful superhero film Spider-Man (2002), reprising the character in its 2004 and 2007 sequels. During this period, his film appearances included Nicolas Cage's directorial effort Sonny (2002), City by the Sea (2002), The Company (2003), The Great Raid (2005), Annapolis (2006), Tristan & Isolde (2006), and Flyboys (2006). In 2007, he wrote, directed, and starred in the independent drama Good Time Max, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival.

In 2008, Franco received a Golden Globe nomination for Pineapple Express and won an Independent Spirit Award for his performance as Scott Smith in Milk. He portrayed real-life mountain climber Aron Ralston in Danny Boyle's 127 Hours (2010), earning a nomination for Best Actor at the 83rd Academy Awards. His television work includes a recurring role on the soap opera General Hospital (2009–2012), the limited series 11.22.63 (2016), and the drama series The Deuce (2017–2019). He also won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor for starring in The Disaster Artist (2017).

In 2014, media reports revealed Instagram messages exchanged between a 35-year-old Franco and a 17-year-old girl regarding meeting in a hotel room. In 2018, five women accused Franco in the Los Angeles Times of inappropriate or sexually exploitative behavior during his time as their acting teacher or mentor. A subsequent lawsuit filed by former acting students alleging sexual harassment and fraud was settled in 2021 for $2.2 million.