10 things you didn’t know about James Franco

James Franco was a painter before he was an actor

“I needed an outlet in high school and came across painting,” Franco told lindzi.com. “I went to a private painting school more than I went to high school. It provided me with a safe place to go.”  (Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times)

James Franco is more than just an actor

A trip to James Franco’s IMDB page may surprise you. Not only has he acted in more than 40 projects, but he has also written, directed and produced.  (Nina Prommer / EPA)

James Franco is a reporter’s dream

He may be a mega-star, but James Franco is still refreshingly candid in interviews.

When asked which of the “ “Spider-Man” movies was his favorite, Franco told the Paly Voice, “I definitely like two and three better than the first. The best part about the first is how it explains the origins of Spider-Man with Peter discovering his powers. The second one was a very well put together movie and is great and then the third one is good too. They had already done two so they were already experienced and knowledgeable [by the third]. And of course the technology is always advancing as there are more resources to work with.”  (Robyn Beck AFP/Getty Images)