James Franco Career Retrospective | SAG-AFTRA Foundation Conversations

Career Q&A with James Franco, Actor/Director THE DISASTER ARTIST. Moderated by Jenelle Riley, Variety.
James Franco 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 Franco a 2002 Golden Globe Award for best actor. His many other credits include the Spider-Man franchise, Flyboys, Tristan + Isolde, Nights in Rodanthe, Milk, Eat Pray Love, Your Highness, Date Night, Spring Breakers, Rise of the Planet of the Apes and 127 Hours, for which he earned an Academy Award nomination for best actor.
With The Disaster Artist, James Franco transforms the tragicomic true-story of aspiring filmmaker and infamous Hollywood outsider Tommy Wiseau - an artist whose passion was as sincere as his methods were questionable - into a celebration of friendship, artistic expression, and dreams pursued against insurmountable odds. Based on Greg Sestero’s best-selling tell-all about the making of Tommy’s cult-classic disasterpiece The Room (“The Greatest Bad Movie Ever Made”), The Disaster Artist is a hilarious and welcome reminder that there is more than one way to become a legend - and no limit to what you can achieve when you have absolutely no idea what you’re doing.

[@wizardofajna1214]

I'm in love, I can't deal with this. Sometimes I put on James Franco interviews at night just to hear the sound of his voice.

[@Blehbleh331]

We are on the same boat ⛵😂

[@mariamonica5498]

He seems to have so many thoughts at once in his head, it's wierdly wonderful. I love these longer interviews, he has the time to really express his thoughts

[@ramonapiercesalvatore5917]

Monica Maria im sure he expressed 2 of 5

[@bztrd80]

Like all the hyperactive and successful people.

[@tonyrangel5549]

Ramona Pierce Salvatore l

[@tonyrangel5549]

Ramona Pierce Salvatore morning

[@ununxium8874]

Pot does that. Oh hi Mark

[@elizaheathen]

I love James's hands

[@jodipowell6782]

i'm not gonna lie.. my heart broke a little when he said "my girlfriend was complaining about it last night"... aahhhhh..... i'm crying

[@mejss99]

Jod ii i feel ya

[@monicacortez9871]

My chance is ruined 😭😆

[@mrborat2493]

@@monicacortez9871 you were so close

[@robertmahaney2145]

me too .

[@squiddyft.insecurities3549]

i miss james

[@desponoor]

I could listen to James talk all day

[@bltr2507]

He just seems to get more handsome with age and more careful with his career choices. Love him

[@laurenmarco6162]

I can listen to James Franco talk about anything all day!

[@tokyodo555]

James is getting handsomer and sexier!

[@chrisobrien238]

A Great actor with a great interviewer , brilliant stuff .

[@alex0589]

Let me be the first to say this on this vid: I love Jenelle, she's awesome and a great interviewer. I actually got excited for this interview when i recognized her voice.

[@alex0589]

update: watched whole thing, i was right. Great conversation, perfect ending, expertly steered by interviewer now i talk like Tommy.

[@NailaGG]

YESS!! I swear to God, the first thing I thought was I hope Jenelle is the interviewer. She's the best!

[@maegonzales4892]

Same!!

[@lovethyneighbour8287]

She is so good funny and lovely and prepared. What a pro.

[@Egginatr]

she is so good. i watched a howard stern interview with james and he couldn't steer the conversation like she does. He is a passionate guy and his thoughts run around like a rabbit trail. crazy to see how she got him to be on track and not all over the place (definitely not a bad thing that James is like this, idk if you can tell but i am the same way as him just worse)

[@Thaliard78]

I didn't think I was a fan of James Franco, but now I definitely know I am. He's such an intelligent, creative man! I adore him!

[@devonfelder5153]

James Franco was the best Harry Osborn in The Spider-Man movies

[@Sirwastealot]

Great interview! I'm not an actor but as a creative i took a lot of inspiration from hearing him talk about his struggle, running from himself and not balancing life with work. I think a lot of creative people fall into that trap especially in the early stages. James is cool, all american guy.

[@orejohnson7103]

I could listen to him for the rest of my life and never be bored of it!😍😍

[@KiaraKoala-ke6tl]

Perhaps one of the best SAG interviews I’ve watched so far.. Franco is so genuine, grounded.. but also si funny! Adorable..

[@pillz123]

James is great!

[@elzbietabonthrone6584]

Good to see you and hear you again...one can realise how the time passes by...two years seem ages...we miss you and you should know it. One soul missing and the world seems empty, our house seems empty, such a pity...

[@kholoudfayed5733]

Perfectly adorable

[@dharma_tour_]

So handsome

[@duzzyclayton5821]

Love James Franco and also the interviewer did a good job :)

[@davisneves]

i remember james from playhouse west days, glad to see his happiness on making this film & success in his career

[@Dra.LauraHave]

Great interview and a captivating smile .

[@elShowdeJosefa]

that smileeee

[@anad6562]

Great interview. It was an hour plus but it was so enjoyable that I didn't even realize.

[@Fiawordweaver]

Jenelle is the best interviewer. She lets the actors tell their story. Other interviewers like to hear the sound of their own voice. Another surprising interviewer that is very good is Kevin Hart, the comedian.

[@christyklein]

I am really impressed by how well-spoken he is in this interview. It's very nice to see an interview where the questions are done so well by the interviewer.

[@josephkoester7051]

You were funny as HELL in '' this is the end ''' 🤣.

[@hokulealinda]

Spectacular -- wonderful interview !!!

[@tracylynn171]

I’m just looking at his face the whole hour and a half of this interview and I’m blushing 😊

[@princessa8786]

I love James Franco

[@TheRealScurred]

Great video. Interviewer is great as well. More of these interviews with great actors please!

[@westiekid8400]

I adored him in Oz the great and powerful! I want a sequel to that movie!

[@YoutanPoluo]

In the wake of the theatrical release of his movie, there’s an influx of short format interviews of James talking about the movie on various talk shows on KZbin, but I love these longer interviews, they finally have the time to really delve into what they wants to say without Jimmy Fallon talking over them or interrupting every 2 seconds during an already short interview.

[@lindyjacks9818]

James freaking Franco ! Yes 🥰 ♥️♥️🔥🔥

[@livingmydream2427]

pretend hes james dean for a second and now you cant see him anymore

[@vishalparihar1230]

This mah movie , this mah life . Be Cool !

[@agyrl6495]

I love you James.

[@Coley_-_]

Love James Franco. Well read and intelligent. Like his arty shorts too. He looks like john mayer to me

[@minhdo3482]

Great interviewer n a truly great guest

[@amandadavies1471]

Freaking amazing x

[@gygygygy2307]

Джеймс Франко самый красивый, скромный, умный, порядочный! Шикарный мужчина и актер! Я люблю тебя, Джеймс Франко!

[@elzbietabonthrone6584]

If, at least, one soul loves you, one soul shall never forgets you

[@elzbietabonthrone6584]

forget you

[@mariafernandalopez4943]

😍😍 James franco ♥️💯💞 foundation, l love

[@JoseAngelFilms]

Great interview talented for sure!! Dream BIG anything is possible 🎥📽🎬

[@Blehbleh331]

16:25 🥺❤️🥰

[@suzyq3771]

God he is so hot!! I love everything about him. Who ever marries him is gonna be sooooooo lucky!

[@KathrynJeanetteMusic]

Thank you thank you thank yoou

[@nadepoemuk5895]

The McDonald’s and Brooklyn accent story reminds me the guy in “Actors Anonymous” so that guy in the book maybe James himself...? 🤔no matter what He is such a talent.Wish he’ll make a movie soon.

[@elzbietabonthrone6584]

James Franco revisited, oh my God. seems ages..thank God choosing her as a best interviouer...I wish him to come back in a sort of way.."I had a perfect holyday"... is it then,

[@nicholasgood470]

James Dean !! is uncanny

[@ImursTube]

I want him to teach me how to act and direct 😩❤️

[@belleepoque3631]

Yay

[@theburnetts7010]

Nice Guy ,

[@LunaTheKitty0]

When the interviewer said “oh I know that McDonald’s” I couldn’t help but laugh. I’m sorry...

[@Psyfi85]

I find her very attractive. Really cute laugh and smile, and very smart and knowledgeable. She’s the only interviewer I like on here.

[@lobaandrade3091]

@@Psyfi85 😬😬😐

[@janesmith8676]

I like her newspaper dress

[@isaacjames7410]

That’s a nice fit Franco... nice fit

[@maryann146]

49:45 I think the person that he forgot the name of was Nicki Minaj. His character David Skylark also interviewed Nicki Minaj. And it sounds like Nicki would be sassy and say something like that.

[@lyfeofny686]

Or iggy .

[@brianed80]

His voice is very sexy!

[@kholoudfayed5733]

No one : James Franco: i worked at McDonald's

[@Blehbleh331]

14:18 So cute 🥺❤️🥰

[@lilsamantha1]

wait he has a girlfriend??????? no

[@xsammyx101x]

when does he mention her?

[@orejohnson7103]

Wait,what???????

[@nd.s5697]

😭😭😭😭 Nooooo

[@RR-et6zp]

girlfriends

[@tokkahafez]

This my movie This my life Be cool

[@myah111]

18:07 34:48 41:20 48:36 1:23:30 1:27:12

[@TheRealScurred]

Interesting how people treated him differently when he was dressed as Tommy

[@elftower907]

in 3 weeks i will be traveling to BONG ENGG

[@jolenekindiak2889]

Pineapple Express ;

[@psarma3411]

38:50

[@juliedemuth5472]

James i love you so much will you Marry me

[@schmidt8490]

1:00

[@f.rachel2113]

Here's the thing: James Franco used to have a lip ring, right on the left side of his lower lip. don't ask me how i know it.

[@KatrinaAune]

🙈💜😽💋💋💋

[@battlethebollocksrodgers9173]

We can tell one eats mickydees when wearing the human obituary dress

[@batchint]

lighthouse tats/daddy wants some

[@makeuplova1537]

Lmao 53:06

[@serragermano7455]

James Flacko ahahahhahahahaahaha 😂😂😂

[@owenhunt]

Jimmy Franco unfurled. Wacka Wacka Wacka. Tell me a funny ass joke.

[@thebigbadbear]

Does it sound like a fart followed by an apology a few times by the moderator at the beginning to anyone?

[@fattzmcgee6161]

She's wearing a newspaper

[@TheKingWhoWins]

Yeah, some people’s idea of fashion

[@mark11967AD]

One thing about people of notoriety whether it’s acting, sports, or politics is that so often their memories are encyclopedic. Being bestowed such a gift never hurts. This guy looks so happy to me too happy to have abused women. I hope he’s not that good of an actor in real life.

[@squiddyft.insecurities3549]

what?