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James Franco biography

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Quick Facts

Best Known For

Film and television actor James Franco starred in the NBC series Freaks and Geeks and won a Golden Globe for his role in 2001's TNT cable biopic James Dean.

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Synopsis

James Franco was born April 19, 1978 in Palo Alto, California. He landed his breakthrough role in the NBC series Freaks and Geeks in 1999. He made his film debut in 1999’s Never Been Kissed, followed by the 2000 romantic comedy Whatever It Takes. His performance in 2001's TNT cable biopic James Dean earned him a 2002 Golden Globe for best actor. Franco later took a role in the Spider-Man films.

Early Life and Education

Actor James Edward Franco was born on April 19, 1978 in Palo Alto, California. James Franco is the eldest of three brothers born to Doug Franco and writer and editor Betsy Levine. He briefly attended the University of California, Los Angeles, where he studied English and drama, before dropping out in his freshman year to pursue a career as an actor. Franco returned to UCLA and earned his undergraduate degree in 2008.

He moved to New York City where he worked toward his MFA at Columbia and attended New York Univeristy's Tisch School of the Arts for filmmaking. He also attends Yale University in pursuit of a PhD in their English program.

Big Break

After 15 months of intensive study with noted drama coach Robert Carnegie at Playhouse West, Franco landed his breakthrough starring role in the critically acclaimed but short-lived NBC series Freaks and Geeks in 1999. James Franco's film debut was co-starring in the 1999 Drew Barrymore vehicle Never Been Kissed, followed by the 2000 romantic comedy Whatever It Takes.

But it was his standout title performance in 2001's TNT cable biopic James Dean that made critics stand up and take notice of the young actor. His portrayal earned him the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in 2002. Turning to more commercial fare, Franco took on the role of Harry Osborne, the son of the villainous Green Goblin, in the Spider-Man films. Other movies include City by the Sea, Tristan & Isolde, Flyboys, Nights In Rodanthe and Milk.

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