Let's make this birthday one to remember.

46 years old (Born on April 19, 1978)

Film actor; He is famous from Daniel Desario in Freaks and Geeks, James Dean in James Dean (Golden Globe Award), Scott Smith in Milk, Harry Osbourn in Spiderman trilogy, Aron Ralston in 127 Hours (Oscar nomination), Alien in Spring Breakers, James Franco in This Is The End.

While a guest on her NPR program "Fresh Air", Franco told interviewer Terry Gross that when he went back to UCLA to finish his undergraduate degree in creative writing, he was worried that his classmates and professors might think of him as "sliding by" because of his acting career, so he took a lot of extra courses to make sure they knew he was serious. He told Gross that the cap on the number of units that a student is allowed to take in a quarter was 19, but in his last quarter he took 62 units - which as far as he knows is a record for a single student. Franco's creative writing professors have included such major figures as Amy Hempel, Mona Simpson, Jonathan Lethem, Gary Shteyngart and Michael Cunningham. Is of Portuguese and Swedish heritage on his father`s side, and of Russian Jewish heritage on his mother`s side. Although he always hated it, he started smoking for his lead role in "James Dean". James appeared in two movies that premiered on the same day, Ruas Selvagens (2002) and Homem-Aranha (2002), both opening on May 3rd. The success of the two films was highly varied as Spider-Man film has to date amassed a box office gross some 67 times greater than that of Deuces.

He completed his private pilot's license to prepare for his role in 2006's Flyboys (2006).

Shares a birthday with Hayden Christensen.

Went by the name of Ted in high school and was voted "Best Smile" at Palo Alto High School

In between films he has studied English Literature at UCLA, and will finally be graduating with his BA, June 2008.

Is friends with Busy Philipps, who he met on the set of "Freaks & Geeks" (1999).

He has two younger brothers, Tom Franco and Dave Franco.

(2008) Enrolled in New York University`s MFA program for creative writing in Tisch school of the arts

Franco returns as face of Gucci cologne (digitalspy.co.uk)

Admitted to his younger brother, Dave Franco, that he hadn't seen a single episode of Dave's episodes in the TV series, "Scrubs" (2001).

Worked with stunt coordinator Nick Powell in two movies both premiering in 2006: Tristu00e3o & Isolda (2006) and Annapolis (2006).

James Franco to shoot, direct Seven For All Mankind fashion campaign (digitalspy.co.uk)

Although he always hated it, he started smoking for his lead role in James Dean (2001) (TV).

Close friends with Tobey Maguire. He also used to "babysit" Tobey`s daughter on the set of Spiderman 3.

Auditioned for the role of Peter Parker in Homem-Aranha (2002), but was given the part of Harry Osborn.

His first overseas trip was to Australia to film The Great Raid.

Mother Betsy Franco also played his character's mother on "General Hospital" (1963).

James appeared in two movies that premiered on the same day, Deuces Wild (2002) and Spider-Man (2002), both opening on May 3rd. The success of the two films was highly varied as Spider-Man film has to date amassed a box office gross some 67 times greater than that of Deuces.

Franco volunteers at the charity Art of Elysium in Los Angeles, helping kids with serious medical conditions. In January 2011, he was honoured for his work at the hospital, receiving the Spirit of Elysium accolade.

Tends to play characters with a troubled past or life.

His parents, Betsy Franco & Doug Franco, met at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California.

In his spare time he likes to paint

Worked with stunt coordinator Nick Powell in 2 movies both premiering in 2006: Tristan & Isolde and Annapolis.

Went by the name of Ted in high school and was voted "Best Smile" at Palo Alto High School.

Is of Portuguese and Swedish heritage on his father's side, and of Russian Jewish heritage on his mother's side.

His grandmother, Mitzie Verne, is an artist.

His debut book of poetry is due to be released in April 2014 [December 17, 2012].

Has his own production company - Rabbit Bandini Productions.

His favorite film is Garotos de Programa (1991).

Franco told interviewer Terry Gross that when he was in junior high school, he was arrested for shoplifting cologne from a department store and reselling it with his friends at the school. He noted to Gross the irony that, in 2008, he shot an advertising campaign in which he became the face of Gucci cologne.

In 2009, Salon.com named Franco the "Sexiest Man Living.".

Was named one of People Magazine`s 50 Hottest Bachelors [2004]

He did eight months of boxing training for Annapolis (2006).

His production company is Rabbit Bandini Productions, which he runs with friend and producer Vince Jolivette.

In his spare time he likes to paint.

In 2009, he reunited with his Ruas Selvagens (2002) co-star, Ronnie Marmo, on "General Hospital" (1963).

Was named one of Salon.com's "10 men who might just inspire the rebirth of Jewish male cool."

Is a talented mathematician. He interned at Lockheed Martin, the American global aerospace, defense, security, and advanced technology company.

Chosen by Premiere magazine as one of the "The 40 Most Handsome Hollywood Men"(#1)[2009].

Was named one of People Magazine's 50 Hottest Bachelors [2004]

Was named one of Salon.com's "10 men who might just inspire the rebirth of Jewish male cool."

Auditioned for the role of Peter Parker in Spider-Man (2002), but was given the part of Harry Osbourne.

May perhaps be one of the most academically accomplished actors (an "extreme scholar") in Hollywood history: besides his BFA in English from UCLA, he has two MFA degrees - both in writing - from Columbia and Brooklyn College, and a third MFA, in film, from New York University. He is continuing further degree studies while also teaching a graduate class that takes students through the process of making a feature-length film. (2011).

After seeing Franco's turn as James Dean, Robert De Niro personally chose him to play his drug-addicted son in the 2002 movie O u00daltimo Suspeito (2002).

Was presented the 2,492nd Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame accompanied by his mother Betsy Franco, brother Dave Franco, Oz: Mu00e1gico e Poderoso (2013) director Sam Raimi and u00c9 o Fim (2013) co-star Seth Rogen (March 7, 2013).

His parents are Betsy & Doug Franco

He has two brothers, Tom and Dave Franco.

Portuguese/Russian American.

Has directed short films for two R.E.M. songs, "Blue" and "That Someone Is You" from their 2011 album, "Collapse Into Now"