With his dark, brooding good looks and wiry athletic build, actor James Franco became one of the era’s go-to guys, playing sports heroes, disaffected pretty boys and rebellious burnouts. His career began in the late 1990’s with a role in the inter-generational miniseries "To Serve and Protect" (NBC, 1999), but it was his role as Daniel Desario in the short-lived comedy "Freaks and Geeks" (NBC, 1999-2000) that gave the actor his first push. While Franco’s portrayal of the moody dreamboat won him a legion of love-struck teenage fans, it was his impressive portrayal of legendary Hollywood bad boy James Dean in the made-for-cable biopic, “James Dean” (TNT, 2001) that truly cemented Franco’s status as a serious actor. Keeping one foot in commercial waters, Franco landed a high-profile supporting role in director Sam Raimi’s “Spider-Man” (2002) as Peter Parker’s best friend/romantic rival, Harry Osborne – a role he later reprised in two very lucrative sequels.Born in Palo Alto, CA on April 19, 1978, James Edward Franco was the firstborn son of Portuguese-Swedish father, Doug Franco, and a Jewish mother, Betsy Levine. Voted the student with the “best smile” during his senior year, Franco graduated from Palo Alto High School in 1996 before enrolling at UCLA as an English major. Much to his parents’ disapproval, however, Franco dropped out of college after his freshman year to pursue a career as a professional actor. After an intense year of training under the tutelage of noted drama coach Robert Carnegie at the Playhouse West in North Hollywood, Franco found an agent and began auditioning for small roles in film and television. He first appeared on the big screen in the charming teen comedy "Never Been Kissed" (1999), starring Drew Barrymore. The following year, Franco solidified his appeal with a starring role in "Whatever It Takes" (2000), a modern-day update of the classic play, Cyrano de Bergerac. As the popular, but sensitive jock, Chris Campbell, Franco won the hearts of teenage girls all across America – especially one in particular. During the filming of the movie, Franco met and fell in love with his longtime girlfriend-to-be, actress Marla Sokoloff.
Franco’s best-known work up until that time, however, was on the short-lived high school comedy series, “Freaks & Geeks.” In it, Franco portrayed Daniel Desario, a nihilistic outsider with a troubled family life. Forced to grow up quickly and see the world with a resigned fatalism, the actor's brooding take on the character won over former good girl Lindsay (Linda Cardellini) on the show – not to mention the admiration of young viewers.
Following the show’s cancellation, Franco was cast by director Mark Rydell in the title role of his biopic, “James Dean” (TNT, 2001). The critically lauded biopic would mark a watershed moment for the young actor, both personally and professionally. As a testament to his dedication, Franco – who was, in fact, a Dean look-a-like on film – became so immersed in the character of the tragic icon, he went from being a non-smoker to smoking two packs of cigarettes a day, mirroring the legendary Dean’s penchant for excess. The role brought Franco significant acclaim. In addition to receiving an Emmy nod and a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for his work, Franco took home the Golden Globe Award in the category of Best Actor in a Miniseries/ Motion Picture Made for Television. Most importantly, “James Dean” made the actor a household name.
Having firmly established his actor cred, Franco next turned his eye toward more commercial fare. In 2002, Franco hit the proverbial jackpot with roles in two high-profile features. The first – the depressing mystery-drama, “City by the Sea” (2002), was a box-office misfire, but afforded Franco valuable screen time opposite heavy hitters Robert De Niro and Frances McDormand. His follow-up, however – director Sam Raimi’s “Spider-Man” – was a colossal hit both commercially and artistically. Cast as Peter Parker's best friend and romantic rival, Harry Osborne, Franco created one of his most complex characters to date. An outwardly confident, but inwardly emotionally fragile individual, Franco’s Osborne would find his screen time increasing in subsequent sequels. The young actor returned as a bitter, more driven Osborne in “Spider-Man 2” (2004), also directed by Raimi. While still not a true villain, per se, it was Franco’s character that would set the wheels in motion for the hero’s battle with the film’s true heavy, Doctor Octopus (Alfred Molina).
Balancing his commercial projects with more prestigious ventures, Franco appeared in director Robert Altman’s ballet-themed ensemble comedy, "The Company" (2003). Though filmed in 2002, his next film, “The Great Raid,” was released in August 2005. In it, Franco played Captain Robert Prince, leader of the 6th Ranger Battalion team that went 30 miles behind Japanese lines to rescue 500 POWs from the notorious Cabanatuan prison camp during World War II. Through a steely gaze and clenched jaw, Franco played his character straight – minus his trademark nuance and intensity. Ultimately a failure, “The Great Raid” took in a paltry $3 million its opening weekend. Franco had scant better luck with his next big-picture, “Flyboys” (2006) – a turn-of-the-century “Top Gun” adventure that bombed at the box office.
Despite the occasional missteps, Franco could always depend on the Marvel Comics universe to keep him front and center. Still obsessed by his irrational hatred for Spider-Man (Tobey Maguire) – whom he blamed for the death of his father (Willem Dafoe) in the first movie – the exacting of Harry’s revenge served as a major plot point for the film. Having inherited his late father’s vast wealth and state-of-the-art weaponry, the movie’s sub-plot dealt with Harry assuming the identity of the New Goblin, one of three super-villains out to kill everyone’s favorite web-slinger. Directed once again by the gifted Raimi, “Spider-Man 3” (2007) was billed as the last outing for the film’s principal cast of Maguire, Kirsten Dunst and Franco.
