Tom Franco

Biography

Tom Franco is an American actor, artist & producer. Karl in The Disaster Artist(2017), Frog Boy in Basket Case 2 (1990), Mr. Z in Metamorphosis: Junior Year (2017). His brothers James Franco & Dave Franco.

Childhood- Family

Tom Franco was born on 14th April 1980 in Palo Alto, California, United States to Betsy Franco(Mother)- A writer & Douglas Eugene Franco(Father)- a businessman, philanthropist and Entrepreneur. He along with his two brothers were brought up in Palo Alto.

Education

• Elementary School: He attended the El Carmelo Elementary School
• He attended Jordan Middle School
• High School: He attended Palo Alto High School, class of 1998
• California College of the Arts: He majored in Ceramics from the university
• University of California: At the university, he majored in Fine Arts, he was in class of 2002

Franco Brothers

• James Franco (Born April 19, 1978)
• Tom Franco (Born  April 14 1980)
• Dave Franco (Born June 12, 1985)

Relationship- Marriage

Tom Franco & Julia Lazar

Tom married his partner, collaborator and long time girlfriend Julia Lazar on 28th July 2014. Julia was 23 older to him. Julia was suffering from Liver & Kidney complications. They got married in the hospital where she was admitted for problems, Julia died on 25th August 2014 (a month later).

Image: Tom Franco & Julia Lazar wedding

Tom Franco and Iris Torres

[Tom Franco and wife Iris Torres]

Iris Torres worked as an assistant director in projects such as "Twilight" and "Planet of the Apes" before becoming a producer. In 2010, she joined James Franco's production company, Rabbit Bandini Productions. 

She and Tom worked together for the film Rise of the Planet of the Apes(2011). In 2015, Iris and Tom created Firehouse films together, through which they have worked on movies, short films and documentaries.

 Iris and Tom were dating since 2018. They got married on 14th May 2021. [3] Iris announced pregnancy through an instagram post in February 2023. The baby was born a few weeks later.

[Tom Franco and Iris Torres with the baby]

Career

Basket Case 2(1990): He portrayed Frog Boy in the Comedy movie, it was his debut movie, it was directed by Frank Henenlotter starring Judy Grafe, Kevin Van Hentenryck, Annie Ross in the main roles.

A Peace of History(2005): He played the role- Ray Watts in the short Drama directed by Jeremy Gantz created by Lourdes Enterprises, Surprises Entertainment, Jeremy Gantz featuring Cazimir Milostan, Mike Kelly, Erl Van Douglas in the cast.

The Devil Wears a Toupee(2007): He played the character of Bernie in the Comedy directed by Josh Monkarsh created by Traffic City Productions, Josh Monkarsh with stars- Bobby Reed, Tom Franco, Justin Minto in the main roles.

Rise of the Planet of the Apes(2011): Tom Franco portrayed the character of Police Officer in this Drama movie directed by Rupert Wyatt with the cast James Franco, Andy Serkis, Freida Pinto

Spring Breakers(2012): Tom played a Thug in the Drama movie directed by Harmony Korine with the cast Ashley Benson, Vanessa Hudgens, Selena Gomez.

Metamorphosis: Junior Year(2017): Tom played Mr. Z in this Family Drama movie , it was directed by Sadie Fearon, Alec Cohen-Schisler starring Arash Afrakhteh, Noa Amzallag, Ari Atken in the main roles.

The Disaster Artist(2017): He portrayed Karl in the Comedy directed by James Franco with Ari Graynor, James Franco, Dave Franco in the lead. All three Franco brothers appeared on screen

In the animation series Action Nat and the Cat (2020) he appeared as Mr. Franco in the episode "The Field Trip" (S1E2)

In the horro mystery movie Miracle Valley (2021) he appeared as a Cult Member, he also produced the movie.

Filmography

Movies

TV Series

Facts & Trivia

• Firehouse Art Collective: Tom is an artist before an actor, he is the founder of Firehouse Art Collective based in Berkeley, California. It started as a collaborative project with 7 of his friends in a rented house, instead of masters' degree he had decided to do his own project. [Firehouse Art on facebook]
• Is Tom Franco Gay?: It doesn't apepar so, He is a handsome dude with 2 wives, his brother James Franco gives out Gay vibe though.
• Firehouse Art Collective Locations:
  1. 1313 9th Street, 2nd Floor Berkeley Ca, 94710
  2. 1790 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94709
  3. 3192 Adeline Avenue, Berkeley CA 94703
  4. 1831-1835 Harmon Street, Berkeley CA, 94703
  5. 6117 San Pablo Avenue, Emeryville CA 94608
  6. Reno Nevada
  7. Los Angeles California
• As a child he took drawing classes after school, Tom followed James into art classes, he would be the youngest in the classes and sometimes had to draw nude models which he found funny at the time.
• Ancestry: Tom is of Portuguese (Paternal), Swedish(Paternal), Russian(Maternal) descent. His Maternal grand parents had changed their surname to Verne from Verovitz
• He meditates Daily. He met his future wife Julia at a Meditation retreat. They also did dancing together.
• Illustrations: Tom illustrated the cover of his mother's book- NAKED and the interior art of the novel. Metamorphosis is another work of Betsy where Tom's Art was used.
• Sometimes Tom & his brother James collaborate and arrange art shows
• Tom is fond of dogs, he has had dogs named Malibu, Moksha & Dharma. 
• As a kid Tom had Blonde hair, it turned brunette as he grew up.
• The siblings are very close, they often get together with Mom.
• Tom was in a theatre art group for 6 years, he has been an actor on and off.
• Tom Franco Co-Lab: A collaborative project started by Tom to allow other artists to come together and be creative
• Sculptor: Tom has ventured into various art forms, Sculpting brings out the best in him [as per himself]
•  

Quotes

• One of our biggest challenges is everybody contributes. When collaboration happens the magic takes place, expression come out that you would never expect.
• Artists struggle hardest, isolation is one of the things that kills art experience, collaboration helps resolve.
• It wasn't until I got out of the Academy I understood what Art really means, what it means to have a studio, that culture is living art.
• I think I get business side of brain from my Dad who was good at Business and maths and artistic side from my Mom who has been a writer as far as I can remember.
• I have learned to trick my brain into creative processes.
• Acting, Dancing, Music & Visual Arts are essential. You must know them.
• Half of the beauty of Arts is watching the artist do it, there is so much value to the process.
• We are all just searching for that magic moment of unicorn and rainbows. They are always a vision away. They are apparent in the minds, yet so hard to grasp.
• My family is very artistic.
• I like to think of doing visual art as a band of performers
• In my family, you were never cool, you never had anything good to say, unless you were talking about art
• I like to stay busy, and I like to stay creative
• I consider myself a folk artist
• Art is how you live your life.. I like making sculptures
• I explore tools and methods that move toward self empowerment and self satisfaction by opening the door of the inner eye and the intuitive spirit life [2]
• I experience that inner life is 10 times more powerful than any other identity. [2]

Sources

1. Tom Franco on wikipedia
2. Tom Franco interview on Cantonart
3. Iris and Tom Franco wedding
4.