Menu
James Franco

James Franco

Known For Acting
Birthday Apr 19, 1978 (47)
Birthplace Palo Alto, California, USA
Popularity 2 (history)
Updated Aug 12, 2025 (Update)
Entry Date Apr 13, 2024
Links TMDb IMDb
Biography

James Edward Franco is an American actor and filmmaker. For his role in 127 Hours (2010), he was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor. Franco is known for appearing in films such as Sam Raimi's Spider-Man trilogy (2002–2007), Milk (2008), Eat, Pray, Love (2010), Rise of the Planet of the Ap ... es (2011), Spring Breakers (2012), and Oz the Great and Powerful (2013). He frequently collaborates with fellow actor Seth Rogen, including in Pineapple Express (2008), This Is the End (2013), Sausage Party (2016), and The Disaster Artist (2017), for which he won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor. Franco's first prominent acting role was on television. He starred as Daniel Desario on the short-lived ensemble comedy-drama Freaks and Geeks (1999–2000), which developed a cult following. He portrayed the title character in the television biographical film James Dean (2001), for which he won a Golden Globe Award and received nominations for a Screen Actors Guild Award and Primetime Emmy Award. Franco also had a recurring role on the daytime soap opera General Hospital (2009–2012) and starred in the limited series 11.22.63 (2016). He starred in the David Simon-created HBO drama The Deuce (2017–2019).

Known For

Headshots

Profile
Profile
Profile
Profile
Filmography

Naya: Legend of the Golden Dolphin

Naya: Legend of the Golden Dolphin

2025

as Finn (voice)

Hey Joe

Hey Joe

2024

as Dean Barry

The Long Home

The Long Home

2021

as Dallas Hardin

Arctic Dogs

Arctic Dogs

2019

as Lemmy (voice)

Zeroville

Zeroville

2019

as Vikar

Pretenders

Pretenders

2019

as Maxwell

Don't Come Back from the Moon

Don't Come Back from the Moon

2019

as Roman Smalley

Future World

Future World

2018

as Warlord

Kin

Kin

2018

as Taylor Balik

The Ballad of Buster Scruggs

The Ballad of Buster Scruggs

2018

as Cowboy (segment "Near Algodones")

The Vault

The Vault

2017

as Ed Mass

Blood Heist

Blood Heist

2017

as Farmer Simon

Actors Anonymous

Actors Anonymous

2017

as Jake Lamont

High School Lover

High School Lover

2017

as Rick Winters

The Disaster Artist

The Disaster Artist

2017

as Tommy / 'Johnny'

The Institute

The Institute

2017

as Dr. Cairn

Alien: Covenant - Prologue: Last Supper

Alien: Covenant - Prologue: Last Supper

2017

as Capt. Jacob Branson

The Show

The Show

2017

as Male Host

Alien: Covenant

Alien: Covenant

2017

as Jacob Branson (uncredited)

The Adderall Diaries

The Adderall Diaries

2016

as Stephen Elliott

In Dubious Battle

In Dubious Battle

2016

as Mac McLeod

Yosemite

Yosemite

2016

as Phil

The Labyrinth

The Labyrinth

2016

as Narrator (voice)

Why Him?

Why Him?

2016

as Laird Mayhew

Burn Country

Burn Country

2016

as Lindsay

Memoria

Memoria

2016

as Mr. Wyckoff

King Cobra

King Cobra

2016

as Joe Kerekes

Blood Surf

Blood Surf

2016

as Metalhead Troy

Sausage Party

Sausage Party

2016

as Druggie (voice)

Goat

Goat

2016

as Mitch

Black Dog, Red Dog

Black Dog, Red Dog

2015

as Leo

The Sound and the Fury

The Sound and the Fury

2015

as Benjy Compson

Every Thing Will Be Fine

Every Thing Will Be Fine

2015

as Tomas Eldan

Killing Animals

Killing Animals

2015

as Mr. Hurston

A Walk in Winter

A Walk in Winter

2015

as Conrad

I Am Michael

I Am Michael

2015

as Michael Glatze

True Story

True Story

2015

as Christian Longo

Wild Horses

Wild Horses

2015

as Ben Briggs

Queen of the Desert

Queen of the Desert

2015

as Henry Cadogan

The Little Prince

The Little Prince

2015

as The Fox (voice)

Richard Peter Johnson

Richard Peter Johnson

2015

as James Franco

The Interview

The Interview

2014

as Dave Skylark

Good People

Good People

2014

as Tom Reed

Obituaries

Obituaries

2014

as Felix Mitchum

Child of God

Child of God

2014

as Jerry

Third Person

Third Person

2014

as Rick

Veronica Mars

Veronica Mars

2014

as James Franco (uncredited)

This Is the End

This Is the End

2013

as James Franco

As I Lay Dying

As I Lay Dying

2013

as Darl Bundren

Homefront

Homefront

2013

as Morgan 'Gator' Bodine

Playtime

Playtime

2013

as The Art Dealer

Spring Breakers

Spring Breakers

2013

as Alien

Sal

Sal

2013

as Milton Katselas

Here Comes the Night Time

Here Comes the Night Time

2013

as Man on Phone

Palo Alto

Palo Alto

2013

as Mr. B

Lovelace

Lovelace

2013

as Hugh Hefner

Interior. Leather Bar.

Interior. Leather Bar.

2013

as James

The Letter

The Letter

2012

as Tyrone

The Color of Time

The Color of Time

2012

as C.K. Williams (age 40)

The Broken Tower

The Broken Tower

2012

as Hart Crane

Maladies

Maladies

2012

as James

The Iceman

The Iceman

2012

as Marty Freeman

About Cherry

About Cherry

2012

as Francis

Rise of the Planet of the Apes

Rise of the Planet of the Apes

2011

as Will Rodman

Your Highness

Your Highness

2011

as Fabious

The Green Hornet

The Green Hornet

2011

as Danny Crystal Cleer (uncredited)

127 Hours

127 Hours

2010

as Aron Ralston

Shadows & Lies

Shadows & Lies

2010

as William Vincent

Howl

Howl

2010

as Allen Ginsberg

Eat Pray Love

Eat Pray Love

2010

as David

Catblock (The Ultimate Co%kblock)

Catblock (The Ultimate Co%kblock)

2010

as James Franco (Image Only)

Love and Distrust

Love and Distrust

2010

as Travis (segment "Grasshopper")

Date Night

Date Night

2010

as Taste

Good Time Max

Good Time Max

2008

as Max

Camille

Camille

2008

as Silias

Pineapple Express

Pineapple Express

2008

as Saul Silver

Milk

Milk

2008

as Scott Smith

Nights in Rodanthe

Nights in Rodanthe

2008

as Mark Flanner (uncredited)

Interview

Interview

2007

as Boyfriend on Phone (voice)

Spider-Man 3

Spider-Man 3

2007

as New Goblin / Harry Osborn

In the Valley of Elah

In the Valley of Elah

2007

as Sergeant Carnelli

An American Crime

An American Crime

2007

as Andy

Tristan & Isolde

Tristan & Isolde

2006

as Tristan

Flyboys

Flyboys

2006

as Blaine Rawlings

Annapolis

Annapolis

2006

as Jake Huard

The Dead Girl

The Dead Girl

2006

as Derek

The Wicker Man

The Wicker Man

2006

as Bar Guy #1

The Holiday

The Holiday

2006

as James Franco

The Ape

The Ape

2005

as Harry Walker

Fool's Gold

Fool's Gold

2005

as Brent

The Great Raid

The Great Raid

2005

as Captain Prince

Spider-Man 2

Spider-Man 2

2004

as Harry Osborn

Blind Spot

Blind Spot

2003

as Danny

The Company

The Company

2003

as Josh

Sonny

Sonny

2002

as Sonny

City by the Sea

City by the Sea

2002

as Joey

Spider-Man

Spider-Man

2002

as Harry Osborn

Mother Ghost

Mother Ghost

2002

as Skateboarder guy

Deuces Wild

Deuces Wild

2002

as Tino

James Dean

James Dean

2001

as James Dean

Mean People Suck

Mean People Suck

2001

as Casey

Some Body

Some Body

2001

as Apartment Guy #3

At Any Cost

At Any Cost

2000

as Mike

If Tomorrow Comes

If Tomorrow Comes

2000

as Devin

Whatever It Takes

Whatever It Takes

2000

as Chris Campbell

To Serve and Protect

To Serve and Protect

1999

as Matt Carr

Never Been Kissed

Never Been Kissed

1999

as Jason

Birth of a Poet

Birth of a Poet

2020

Writer

Mississippi Requiem

Mississippi Requiem

2018

Writer

Actors Anonymous

Actors Anonymous

2017

Writer

Yosemite

Yosemite

2016

Book

Black Dog, Red Dog

Black Dog, Red Dog

2015

Writer

Killing Animals

Killing Animals

2015

Novel

Child of God

Child of God

2014

Screenplay

Interior. Leather Bar.

Interior. Leather Bar.

2013

Cinematography

Bukowski

Bukowski

2013

Writer

Palo Alto

Palo Alto

2013

Author, Book

As I Lay Dying

As I Lay Dying

2013

Screenplay

Sal

Sal

2013

Story

The Broken Tower

The Broken Tower

2012

Screenplay, Editor

My Own Private River

My Own Private River

2011

Editor

Masculinity & Me

Masculinity & Me

2010

Writer

Herbert White

Herbert White

2010

Writer

The Clerk's Tale

The Clerk's Tale

2010

Screenplay

The Feast of Stephen

The Feast of Stephen

2009

Writer

Good Time Max

Good Time Max

2008

Writer

The Ape

The Ape

2005

Writer

Fool's Gold

Fool's Gold

2005

Writer

The Long Home

The Long Home

2021

Director

Birth of a Poet

Birth of a Poet

2020

Director

Pretenders

Pretenders

2019

Director

Zeroville

Zeroville

2019

Director

Future World

Future World

2018

Director

The Institute

The Institute

2017

Director

Tenn

Tenn

2017

Director

The Disaster Artist

The Disaster Artist

2017

Director

In Dubious Battle

In Dubious Battle

2016

Director

Black Dog, Red Dog

Black Dog, Red Dog

2015

Director

The Sound and the Fury

The Sound and the Fury

2015

Director

Child of God

Child of God

2014

Director

Interior. Leather Bar.

Interior. Leather Bar.

2013

Director

Sal

Sal

2013

Director

Bukowski

Bukowski

2013

Director

As I Lay Dying

As I Lay Dying

2013

Director

The Broken Tower

The Broken Tower

2012

Director

Francophrenia

Francophrenia

2012

Director

Hart Crane: An Exegesis

Hart Crane: An Exegesis

2012

Director

My Own Private River

My Own Private River

2011

Director

Saturday Night

Saturday Night

2010

Director

Masculinity & Me

Masculinity & Me

2010

Director

Herbert White

Herbert White

2010

Director

The Clerk's Tale

The Clerk's Tale

2010

Director

The Feast of Stephen

The Feast of Stephen

2009

Director

Good Time Max

Good Time Max

2008

Director

The Ape

The Ape

2005

Director

Fool's Gold

Fool's Gold

2005

Director

Sleepaway Slasher

Sleepaway Slasher

2020

Executive Producer

Future World

Future World

2018

Producer

Mississippi Requiem

Mississippi Requiem

2018

Executive Producer

The Institute

The Institute

2017

Executive Producer

Rio

Rio

2017

Executive Producer

The Disaster Artist

The Disaster Artist

2017

Producer

High School Lover

High School Lover

2017

Executive Producer

King Cobra

King Cobra

2016

Producer

Mother, May I Sleep with Danger?

Mother, May I Sleep with Danger?

2016

Executive Producer

The Labyrinth

The Labyrinth

2016

Executive Producer

In Dubious Battle

In Dubious Battle

2016

Producer

The Adderall Diaries

The Adderall Diaries

2016

Producer

Blood Surf

Blood Surf

2016

Executive Producer

Yosemite

Yosemite

2016

Executive Producer

Why Him?

Why Him?

2016

Executive Producer

Goat

Goat

2016

Producer

Miss Famous

Miss Famous

2015

Executive Producer

A Walk in Winter

A Walk in Winter

2015

Executive Producer

I Am Michael

I Am Michael

2015

Producer

The Interview

The Interview

2014

Executive Producer

Guests

Guests

2014

Executive Producer

Kink

Kink

2013

Producer

Interior. Leather Bar.

Interior. Leather Bar.

2013

Producer

The Director

The Director

2013

Producer

The Color of Time

The Color of Time

2012

Producer

The Broken Tower

The Broken Tower

2012

Producer

The Ape

The Ape

2005

Executive Producer

Organization Category Movie
Academy Awards Best Actor 127 Hours Nominated
Academy Awards Best Actor The Fighter Nominated
Spirit Awards Best Actor 127 Hours Nominated
Television Credits

The Deuce

as Vincent Martino / Frankie Martino

Episodes: 25

First Aired: Sep 10, 2017

Freaks and Geeks

as Daniel Desario

Episodes: 18

First Aired: Sep 25, 1999

11.22.63

as Jake Epping

Episodes: 8

First Aired: Feb 15, 2016

Angie Tribeca

as Sgt. Eddie Pepper

Episodes: 6

First Aired: Jan 17, 2016

The Mindy Project

as Paul Leotard

Episodes: 2

First Aired: Sep 25, 2012

The X-Files

as Officer #2

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 10, 1993

30 Rock

as James Franco

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 11, 2006

Deadbeat

as Johnny

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Apr 09, 2014

Pacific Blue

as Brian

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Mar 02, 1996

Honest Trailers

as Cowboy (archive footage)

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Feb 13, 2012

The Frame

as Will Rodman

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Apr 09, 2013

Saturday Night Live

as Self - Host

Episodes: 4

First Aired: Oct 11, 1975

Saturday Night Live

as Self - Host / Various

Episodes: 2

First Aired: Oct 11, 1975

Saturday Night Live

as Self - Cameo (uncredited)

Episodes: 2

First Aired: Oct 11, 1975

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

as Self

Episodes: 2

First Aired: Feb 17, 2014

SNL Digital Shorts

Episodes: 2

First Aired: Dec 03, 2005

The Tony Danza Show

as Self

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 13, 2004

Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Jan 26, 2003

The Daily Show

as Self

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Jul 22, 1996

LIVE with Kelly and Mark

as Self

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 05, 1988

The Early Show

as Self

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Nov 01, 1999

The Tonight Show with Jay Leno

Episodes: 1

First Aired: May 25, 1992

Profiler

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 21, 1996

The Colbert Report

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 17, 2005

Hamish and Andy's Gap Year

as Himself

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Jul 28, 2011

Hot Ones

as Self

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Mar 12, 2015

Close Up with The Hollywood Reporter

as Self

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Aug 02, 2015

Late Night with Seth Meyers

as Self

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Feb 25, 2014

Jimmy Kimmel Live!

as Self

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Jan 26, 2003

Saturday Night Live

as Self

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 11, 1975

Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis

as Self

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Jan 04, 2008

Marcians

as Self - Interviewee

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Nov 16, 2017

Conan

as Self

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Nov 08, 2010

Popularity Metrics

Popularity History


Year Month Avg Max Min
2024 5 44 58 31
2024 6 37 64 14
2024 7 42 64 16
2024 8 31 58 20
2024 9 30 54 20
2024 10 31 64 19
2024 11 28 35 19
2024 12 35 51 21
2025 1 40 56 28
2025 2 29 49 6
2025 3 8 45 0
2025 4 3 4 2
2025 5 6 8 3
2025 6 3 6 3
2025 7 3 5 2
2025 8 3 6 2
2025 9 2 2 2

Trending Rank


Year Month Avg Rank Max Rank
2024 5 579 109
2024 6 334 89
2024 12 479 185
2025 1 401 18
2025 2 538 212
2025 3 572 499
2025 5 525 154
2025 7 588 483
2025 8 261 99
2025 9 361 110

Return to Top