Join or Sign In

Continue with Facebook Continue with email

By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.

James Franco Biography

Birth Name:James Edward Franco

Birth Place:Palo Alto, California, United States

Profession Actor, Producer, Director, Writer, Soundtrack, Cinematographer, Editor, Art department

Fast Facts

Volunteers for the Art of Elysium charity, which helps children with serious medical conditions, and received the Spirit of Elysium accolade for his contributions
Was presented with the Ally Award at the 15th annual Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival for his support of the LGBT community
Graduated from Columbia and Brooklyn College with a Masters of Fine Arts in writing and New York University with a Masters of Fine Arts in film
Graduated from UCLA with a Bachelors of Fine Arts in English
Born to writer and actress Betsy and Douglas Franco
Brother to actor Dave Franco
Would practice accents on his customers while working at McDonalds when he was attending college
Dropped out of college after his freshman year at UCLA to pursue acting
Quote: "As an actor, you can get wrapped up in yourself and your career․․․A little secret is one of the greatest ways to break that is to stop thinking about yourself for a second․"
Many of the characters he has played have had a troubled past
Has played multiple characters based off of people from the real world
Taught short film production at the University of Southern California in 2013
While preparing for his role in "Flyboys," he earned his private pilot's license
Is skilled in mathematics, and got an internship at Lockheed Martin as a teenager
Went back to finish his undergraduate degree in creative writing after making it as an actor, and in order to make sure his classmates and professors knew he was serious about school, he took over three times the allowed amount of units in a quarter

Awards

2000Teen Choice Award-Film - Choice Sleazebag: nominated
2000Young Artist Award-Best Performance in a TV Series - Young Ensemble: nominated
2002Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries: nominated
2002Critics Choice Award-Best Actor in a Picture Made for Television: winner
2002Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television: winner
2002OFTA Television Award-Best Actor in a Motion Picture or Miniseries: nominated
2002Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie: nominated
2003Chlotrudis Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2007Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie: Rumble: nominated
2008Saturn Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2008ACCA-Best Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
2008ACCA-Best Cast Ensemble: nominated
2008DFCS Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2008Golden Schmoes-Breakthrough Performance of the Year: nominated
2008Golden Schmoes-Best Supporting Actor of the Year: nominated
2008MTV Movie Award-Best Fight: nominated
2008Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
2009Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
2009COFCA Award-Actor of the Year: nominated
2009Critics Choice Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2009Critics Choice Award-Best Acting Ensemble: winner
2009Independent Spirit Award-Best Supporting Male: winner
2009Gold Derby Film Award-Supporting Actor: nominated
2009Gold Derby Film Award-Ensemble Cast: nominated
2009Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical: nominated
2009IOMA-Best Supporting Actor (Miglior attore non protagonista): nominated
2009MTV Movie Award-Best Kiss: nominated
2009MTV Movie Award-Best Comedic Performance: nominated
2009MTV Movie Award-Best Fight: nominated
2010ACCA-Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
2010Teddy-Best Short Film: winner
2010CFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2010Gold Hugo-Best Short Film: nominated
2010DFWFCA Award-Best Actor: winner
2010DFCS Award-Best Actor: nominated
2010Gold Derby TV Award-TV Movie/Mini Actor of the Decade: nominated
2010Golden Schmoes-Best Actor of the Year: nominated
2010HFCS Award-Best Actor: nominated
2010IFJA Award-Best Actor: winner
2010Sierra Award-Best Actor: winner
2010NYFCO Award-Best Actor: winner
2010PFCS Award-Best Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
2010Audience Award-Spotlight Premiere: nominated
2010SDFCS Award-Best Actor: nominated
2010Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama: nominated
2010SEFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2010SLFCA Award-Special Merit (for best scene, cinematic technique or other memorable aspect or moment): winner
2010SLFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2010TFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2010UFCA Award-Best Actor: winner
2010WAFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2011Oscar-Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
2011Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
2011EDA Special Mention Award-Bravest Performance Award: nominated
2011EDA Special Mention Award-Unforgettable Moment: nominated
2011EDA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2011BAFTA Film Award-Best Leading Actor: nominated
2011COFCA Award-Best Actor: winner
2011COFCA Award-Actor of the Year: winner
2011Critics Choice Award-Best Actor: nominated
2011DFCS Award-Best Actor: nominated
2011Dorian Award-Film Performance of the Year: nominated
2011Empire Award-Best Actor: nominated
2011Independent Spirit Award-Best Male Lead: winner
2011Gold Derby Film Award-Lead Actor: nominated
2011Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama: nominated
2011INOCA-Best Actor: nominated
2011IFC Award-Best Actor: nominated
2011IOMA-Best Actor (Miglior attore protagonista): nominated
2011MTV Movie Award-Best Jaw Dropping Moment: nominated
2011National Movie Award-Performance of the Year: nominated
2011NTFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2011OFTA Film Award-Best Actor: nominated
2011OFCS Award-Best Actor: nominated
2011Outstanding Performer of the Year Award-: winner
2011VFCC Award-Best Actor: nominated
2011Queer Lion Award-: nominated
2011Venice Horizons Award-Best Film: nominated
2012Razzie Award-Worst Supporting Actor: nominated
2012Rembrandt Award-Best International Actor (Beste Buitenlandse Acteur): nominated
2013Teddy-Best Documentary/Essay Film: nominated
2013Un Certain Regard Award-: nominated
2013CFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2013DFCS Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2013Jury Prize-Best Documentary: winner
2013Golden Schmoes-Best Supporting Actor of the Year: nominated
2013ICP Award-Best Supporting Performance: nominated
2013Halfway Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2013Audience Award-Best Narrative: winner
2013LAFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2013NYFCC Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2013Jury Prize-Best Documentary: nominated
2013SFFCC Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2013Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie Actor: Sci-Fi/Fantasy: nominated
2013Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie: Scary Scene: nominated
2013TFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2013Golden Lion-: nominated
2013VVFP Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2013WAFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2014COFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2014Chlotrudis Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: winner
2014Heterodox Award-: nominated
2014DFCS Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2014Dorian Award-Film Performance of the Year - Actor: nominated
2014ICS Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2014INOCA-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2014Halfway Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
2014MTV Movie Award-Best Fight: nominated
2014MTV Movie Award-Best Kiss: nominated
2014NSFC Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2015FilmOut Audience Awards-Best Actor: winner
2015Jury Prize-Special Mention: winner
2015MTV Movie Award-Best Duo: nominated
2015MTV Movie Award-Best Kiss: nominated
2015Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie Actor: Drama: nominated
2015Streamy Award-Best Actor: nominated
2016Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Short Form Variety Series: nominated
2016Fondazione Mimmo Rotella Award-: winner
2017ACCA-Best Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
2017Honorable Mentions (The Next Ten Best Picture Contenders)-Honorable Mentions: winner
2017BTVA Special/DVD Voice Acting Award-Best Vocal Ensemble in a TV Special/Direct-to-DVD Title or Short: winner
2017Capri Actor Award-: winner
2017CFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2017DFWFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2017DFCS Award-Best Actor: winner
2017DFCC-Best Actor: winner
2017DFCC-Best Director: nominated
2017FFCC Award-Best Actor: nominated
2017Golden Schmoes-Best Actor of the Year: nominated
2017Gotham Independent Film Award-Best Actor: winner
2017ICP Award-Best Lead Actor: nominated
2017LAFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2017LAOFCS Award-Best Actor: nominated
2017NFCS Award-Best Actor: winner
2017NMFC Award-Best Actor: nominated
2017NTFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2017Odyssey Award-Best Lead Actor: nominated
2017OFCS Award-Best Actor: nominated
2017PCC Award-Best Actor: nominated
2017PFCS Award-Best Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
2017SDFCS Award-Best Comedic Performance: nominated
2017SDFCS Award-Best Actor: nominated
2017SFFCC Award-Best Actor: nominated
2017Feroz Zinemaldia Award-: winner
2017Golden Seashell-Best Film: winner
2017SFCS Award-Best Actor: nominated
2017SEFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2017SLFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2017The BAM Award-Best Actor: nominated
2017The BAM Award-Best Cast: nominated
2017People's Choice Award-Midnight Madness: nominated
2017UFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2017WAFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2018Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
2018AFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2018Palmarés blogos de oro-Best Lead Actor (Mejor Actor): winner
2018COFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2018Critics Choice Award-Best Actor: nominated
2018Critics Choice Award-Best Actor in a Comedy: winner
2018DFCS Award-Best Actor: nominated
2018Dorian Award-Film Performance of the Year - Actor: nominated
2018Independent Spirit Award-Best Male Lead: nominated
2018GAFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2018Gold Derby Film Award-Lead Actor: nominated
2018Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy: winner
2018HFCS Award-Best Actor: nominated
2018HFCS Award-Best Director: nominated
2018HFCS Award-Best Actor: winner
2018IFC Award-Best Actor: nominated
2018ALFS Award-Actor of the Year: nominated
2018NCFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2018OFCC Award-Best Actor: nominated
2018OAFFC Award-Best Male Lead: winner
2018OFTA Film Award-Best Actor: nominated
2018Sant Jordi-Best Actor in a Foreign Film (Millor actor en pel·lícula estrangera): winner
2018Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Motion Picture: nominated
2019Grand Prix-Best Film: nominated
2020Razzie Award-Worst Actor: nominated
2020Razzie Award-Worst Director: nominated