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Friday, April 25, 2025

James Franco’s Father Passes Away Suddenly

Doug Franco, actor James Franco’s dad, passed away suddenly last week. He was 63. The news was just released by the family late tonight. Doug had a Harvard MBA and was a long time entrepreneur in the Silicon Valley. He leaves his wife Betsy, mother of James, actor Dave and brother Tom. Doug Franco, who was of Swedish and Portugese descent, was one of the nicest guys you could hope to meet. He was also extremely proud of his sons. He told me during Oscar week how awed he was by James’s recent accomplishments and whirlwind of activity– a nomination, the hosting, the school stuff, all of it. And it was with Doug that I happened to walk up the stairs to the stage of the Kodak Theater when the Academy Awards ended this year. He was so eager to congratulate James and take family pictures. A lovely guy, gone way too soon. Condolences to the Franco and Verne families.

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Roger Friedman
Roger Friedmanhttps://www.showbiz411.com
Roger Friedman began his Showbiz411 column in April 2009 after 10 years with Fox News, where he created the Fox411 column. His movie reviews are carried by Rotten Tomatoes, and he is a member of both the movie and TV branches of the Critics Choice Awards. His articles have appeared in dozens of publications over the years including New York Magazine, where he wrote the Intelligencer column in the mid 90s and covered the OJ Simpson trial, and Fox News (when it wasn't so crazy) where he covered Michael Jackson. He is also the writer and co-producer of "Only the Strong Survive," a selection of the Cannes, Sundance, and Telluride Film festivals, directed by DA Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus.

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