James Franco

Known for his breakthrough starring role on _Freaks and Geeks (1999)_ (qv), 'James Franco' (qv) was born April 19, 1978 in Palo Alto, California, to 'Betsy Franco' (qv), a writer, artist, and actress, and Douglas Eugene "Doug" Franco, who ran a Silicon Valley business. His mother is Jewish and his father was of Portuguese and Swedish descent.Growing up with his two younger brothers, 'Dave Franco' (qv), also an actor, and 'Tom Franco' (qv), James graduated from Palo Alto High School in 1996 and went on to attend UCLA, majoring in English. To overcome his shyness, he got into acting while studying there, which, much to his parents' dismay, he left after only one year. After fifteen months of intensive study at Robert Carnegie's Playhouse West, James began actively pursuing his dream of finding work as an actor in Hollywood. In that short time, he landed himself a starring role on _Freaks and Geeks (1999)_ (qv). The show, however, was not a hit to its viewers at the time, and was canceled after its first year. Now, it has become a cult-hit. Prior to joining _Freaks and Geeks (1999)_ (qv), Franco starred in the TV miniseries _To Serve and Protect (1999)_ (qv). After that, he had a starring role in _Whatever It Takes (2000)_ (qv).Although he'd been working steadily, it wasn't until the TNT made-for-television movie, 'James Dean' (qv) (2001) that James rose to fan-magazine fame and got to show off his talent. Since then, he has been working non-stop. After losing the lead role to 'Tobey Maguire' (qv), James settled for the part of "Harry Osborne", Spider-Man's best friend in the summer 2002 major hit _Spider-Man (2002)_ (qv). He returned to the Osborne role for the next two films in the trilogy.Next was _Deuces Wild (2002)_ (qv) and _City by the Sea (2002)_ (qv), in which 'Robert De Niro' (qv) personally had him cast, after viewing his performance in 'James Dean' (qv) (2001). He was seen in 'David Gordon Green' (qv)'s _Pineapple Express (2008)_ (qv) opposite 'Seth Rogen' (qv), in 'George C. Wolfe' (qv)'s _Nights in Rodanthe (2008)_ (qv), starring 'Richard Gere' (qv) and 'Diane Lane' (qv) and in 'Paul Haggis' (qv)' _In the Valley of Elah (2007)_ (qv), starring 'Tommy Lee Jones' (qv). Also starring opposite 'Sean Penn' (qv) in 'Gus Van Sant' (qv)'s _Milk (2008)_ (qv) in which his performance earned him an Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Actor. Definitely growing out of his shyness, 'James Franco' (qv) is turning into a legend of his own.::Breighton Lee; [email protected]