You’ve seen the squint. That trademark lopsided grin. For years, the name Franco was synonymous with just one guy—the Oscar-nominated, graduate-school-collecting, general enigma that is James. But honestly, if you’re still looking at the family tree as a one-man show, you’re missing the best parts.
James Franco’s brother isn't just a single person; there are actually two of them. Dave and Tom. While they share those undeniably strong genes (and those eyebrows), they’ve navigated the madness of Hollywood and the art world in ways that couldn't be more different.
One is a bonafide A-lister who married a comedy icon. The other is a niche "California Funk" sculptor who basically treats the spotlight like it’s a mild allergy.
Dave Franco: More Than Just the "Little Brother"
Let’s talk about Dave. For a long time, he was "the other one." You might remember him as the arrogant med student in the final (and controversial) season of Scrubs or the drug-dealing high schooler in 21 Jump Street.
He spent years trying to dodge his brother’s massive shadow. In fact, Dave was pretty vocal about not wanting to work with James early on. He wanted to build something that didn't feel like a hand-me-down career. He eventually found his footing in massive comedies like Neighbors, playing the straight man to Zac Efron’s frat-boy antics.
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But Dave didn't stop at acting.
He’s moved behind the camera now. His directorial debut, the 2020 horror flick The Rental, was actually a massive hit on VOD during the pandemic. It turns out he has a real knack for tension and "elevated" genre storytelling. He’s also half of one of Hollywood’s most low-key cool couples. He met Alison Brie (of Community and GLOW fame) at Mardi Gras back in 2011. They’ve been married since 2017 and honestly seem like the most normal people in the industry. They even handed out weed pens at their wedding, which is just... very California.
The "Middle" One: Who is Tom Franco?
If Dave is the polished movie star, Tom is the bohemian soul of the family. He’s the middle brother, and if you haven’t heard of him, that’s probably by design. Tom is primarily a fine art sculptor and painter.
He runs the Firehouse Art Collective in Berkeley. It’s this cool, sprawling community space that gives local artists a place to breathe and create. His art is weird. In a good way. He uses found objects, "California Funk" traditions, and a lot of salvaged materials to make these massive, narrative sculptures.
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Tom did make a tiny cameo in The Disaster Artist as a crew member, but he’s not chasing the red carpet. He seems perfectly content in the East Bay, focusing on "CoLab" projects and communal living.
Sorting Through the Family Dynamics
It’s impossible to talk about James Franco’s brother without mentioning the elephant in the room: James’s fall from grace. Following several allegations of sexual misconduct and his subsequent "cancellation" in Hollywood, the family dynamic shifted.
Dave has had to answer for his brother’s actions more times than is probably fair. In recent years, Dave has notably distanced himself professionally. He’s made it clear that while he loves his family, his career is his own. "If I sucked, I would've disappeared," he once told an interviewer, basically acknowledging that a famous last name only gets you in the door—it doesn't keep you there.
There’s a lot of speculation about whether they still talk. Rumors of estrangement pop up on Reddit every few months, but the truth is usually more boring. They’re brothers. They have history. But Dave and Tom have successfully carved out identities that don't require a "James" prefix.
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Why the Franco Brothers Still Fascinate Us
It’s the classic Hollywood story with a twist. Usually, there’s one "famous" sibling and a bunch of others who just... exist. With the Francos, you have three distinct creative engines.
- James: The polarizing, multi-hyphenate veteran.
- Tom: The earthy, Berkeley-based sculptor who avoids the cameras.
- Dave: The sharp, comedic lead turned horror director.
Most people get it wrong by assuming they’re all just versions of each other. They aren't. Tom’s work with the Firehouse Art Collective is arguably more impactful on a community level than any blockbuster. And Dave’s transition into directing has shown a level of discipline that James—known for his "throw everything at the wall" approach—sometimes lacked.
Moving Forward: What to Watch and Follow
If you want to see what James Franco’s brother is up to lately, stop looking at old gossip columns.
- Check out "The Rental" or "Somebody I Used to Know": Both are directed by Dave. They show a really sophisticated eye for character and setting.
- Visit the Firehouse Art Collective: If you’re ever in Berkeley or Oakland, Tom’s spaces are a testament to the fact that not every Franco wants to be on a movie poster.
- Follow Alison Brie: She often shares glimpses of her and Dave’s life, which usually involves their cats and a distinct lack of Hollywood pretension.
The takeaway? Being a "brother of" is a starting point, not a destination. Dave and Tom have proven that you can share a face with a superstar and still have a completely different soul.
Keep an eye on Dave’s upcoming production projects under his Ramona Films banner. He’s pivoting hard into producing, and based on his track record with indie hits, he’s going to be a power player in the industry for a long time, regardless of what his older brother does next.