James Franco Family

James Franco is an American actor, director, producer. James Franco is known for his roles in movies such as- “Spider-Man”, Milk (2008), Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011), Oz the Great and Powerful (2013), The Disaster Artist (2017), 127 Hours, Spring Breakers, Pineapple Express among others

James Edward Franco was born on 19th April 1978 in Palo Alto, California , United States to Betsy Lou Verne-a writer and Douglas Eugene Franco- a businessman. James Franco has won Golden Globe Best Actor Award & is Oscar award nominee. He often makes movies in collaboration with actor/ comedian Seth Rogen.

Image: James Franco Family

James Franco Parents

Betsy & Doug Franco met while studying at the Stanford University in Palo Alto, California. They married in 1971.

MOTHER

Image: James Franco with mother Betsy Lou Verne

Betsy Lou Verne- James’s mother Betsy Lou Verne is a writer & an occasional actress. Betsy is of Russian Jewish ancestry.  Betsy played James’  character's mother in the TV series “General Hospital”

Betsy has also appeared as an actress in “Metamorphosis: Junior Year”, “The Broken Tower”, “Would You”, “Joan's Day Out” among others. She has produced “The Fringe Class”, “Metamorphosis: Junior Year”

Betsy Lou was born Betsy Lou Levine Verne in 1947 in Cleveland, Ohio. She is a young adult novel writer. She is often seen attending Film events with her son.

FATHER

Douglas Eugene Franco- James Franco’s father is a businessman in Sillicon Valley. Douglas, known to family & Friends as Doug is of Swedish & Portuguese origins

Douglas died in 2011. Doug & Betsy have 3 children together- Tom, James & Dave Franco. He was a philanthropic entrepreneur as well.

James Franco Siblings

Image: James Franco & brothers

Tom Franco- Tom is the younger brother of James, he was born (as Thomas Andrew Franco) in 1980 in Palo Alto, California.

Tom was an undergraduate in English major from UCLA. Tom got into acting to overcome his shyness, he discontinued his studies after an year. Some of the works he is known for are- The Disaster Artist (2017), Metamorphosis: Junior Year (2017), Basket Case 2 (1990)

Tom was married to Julia Lazar Franco in 2014 (until her death due to lvier failure). Tom married film producer Iris Torres in 2015.

Image: Franco Siblings

Dave Franco- Dave is the youngest sibling of James, he was born in 1985 (as David John Franco) in Palo Alto, California. He is an actor, author. He is called “Davy” by the family.

Dave often works with the same crew as James does, but The Disaster Artist (2017) is the first work they both appeared together. Dave has worked in- Neighbors, Nerve, Now You See Me, Now You See Me 2

Dave started relationship with actress Alison Brie in 2012. The couple got engaged in August 2015 and got married in March 2017. Both Alison & Dave have voiced characters in Marvel Avengers Academy (2016).

Sisters in-law

Image: Dave Franco & Alison Brie

Alison Brie- Alison Brie is an actress, producer known for her works- “The Lego Movie”, “Community”, “Sleeping with Other People”, “The Five-Year Engagement”

Alison married Dave Franco in 2017, they had had a 5 year relationship before that.

Alison Brie Schermerhorn was born in 1982 in Los Angeles, California, United States to Joanne Brenner (worked with child care) & Charles Terry Schermerhorn- a musician.

Julia Lazar Franco- Julia was a long time partner, frequent collaborator of Tom. She was 23 years older than him and had a close bond till her last days.

Image: Tom Franco & Julia Lazar Franco

Iris Torres- Iris Alejandra Torres Paniagua is an American producer known for producing works such as- “Just Between Us”, “In Dubious Battle“, “Metamorphosis: Junior Year”, “The Fringe Class” among others.

Image: Tom Franco with Iris Torres

James Franco Grandparents

GRANDFATHER

Daniel Verovitz- Daniel , the maternal grandfather of James, was an American of Russian Jewish ancestry, he changed his surname Verovitz to Verne in the 1940s.

Daniel Franco, Jr.: Daniel Franco Jr. is James's paternal grandfather (son of Daniel Franco Sr.)

GRANDMOTHER

Marjorie Peterson- Marjorie, the paternal grandmother of James was a writer by profession, she wrote books suited for “Young Adult” audience.

Mitzie Levine- Mitzie, the maternal grandmother of James was an art enthusiast, she owned “Verne Art Gallery” situated in Cleveland, Ohio. She was a member of the National Council of Jewish Women(NCJW)- a volunteer organization that works for social justice & improve quality of life of families. James is a painter by hobby.

Image: James Franco & Mitzie Levine

Maternal great-grandfather

Emanuel V. Levine- James’ maternal great grandfather “Manuel” was a ewll respected judge in Cleveland

James Franco Girlfriends/ Love Affairs

James Franco has been playful with his words when asked what his sexuality is, he has been a vocal supporter of LGBT community. His quote “Well, I like to think that I'm gay in my art and straight in my life” suggests he is straight in his “sexual Actions” while having a mentally fluid idea of sexual orientation.

Marla Sokoloff: James dated his “Whatever It Takes” co-star in 1999, the couple were together for 5 yeas. She is from a Jewish family just like James Franco.

Marla was born to Cindi Sussman & Howard Sokoloff in 1980 in San Francisco, California, United States.

She is married to drummer Alec Puro, The couple have two daughters Elliotte Anne (born 2012) & Olive Mae (born 2015)

Image: James Franco with Marla Sokoloff

Ahna O'Reilly- Ahna is an American actress known for movies such as - The Help , Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Fruitvale Station, Jobs among other . James and Ahna had a relationship that lasted till 2011. Ahna was born in 1984 in Palo Alto, California

Image: James Franco & Ahna O'Reilly