James Edward Franco (born April 19, 1978) is an American actor and filmmaker. He has starred in numerous films, including Sam Raimi's Spider-Man trilogy (2002–2007), 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 is known for his collaborations with fellow actor Seth Rogen, having appeared in eight films and one television series with him, examples being 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. For his role in 127 Hours (2010), he was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor.
Franco is also known for his work on television where his first prominent acting role was the character 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 Screen Actors Guild Award and Primetime Emmy Award. Franco 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).
Franco volunteers for The Art of Elysium charity and has taught film classes at numerous schools. Franco admitted to having sex with several of his students during his time as a teacher, which led to lawsuits and a $2 million sexual-misconduct settlement in 2021.[1][2]
He made his hosting debut on Saturday Night Live on September 20, 2008, the second episode of Season 34, with musical guest Kings of Leon.
He returned to Saturday Night Live to hosting for the 2nd time on December 19, 2009, the tenth episode and Christmas show of Season 35, with musical guest Muse, an English rock band.
He returned to Saturday Night Live again to hosting for the 3rd time on December 6, 2014, the eighth episode of Season 40, with musical guest Nicki Minaj.
He returned to Saturday Night Live once again to hosting for the 4th time on December 9, 2017, the eighth episode of Season 43, with musical guest SZA.
He made two cameo appearances on October 17, 2009 during the "What Up With That?" sketch and on April 12, 2014, during the opening monologue.
He was also impersonated by Paul Brittain in the February 5, 2011 episode during the Weekend Update segment and in the April 9, 2011 episode during the "Mort Mort Feingold: Accountant For The Stars" sketch.
Impressions[]
- James Dean
Gallery[]
