Dave Franco Says the Reason He Was Successful Wasn’t ‘Just Because’ He’s James Franco’s Brother: ‘If I Sucked, I Would’ve Disappeared’

Dave Franco Says His Success Isn’t Owed Solely to His Brother James

Dave Franco shared that his rise in Hollywood was not simply due to being James Franco’s brother. In an interview with Bustle, he reflected on how familial connection opened doors but couldn’t sustain a career without real talent.

“No one was going to hire me just because I was James Franco’s little brother.”

While he acknowledged that having a famous sibling helped him enter the industry, Dave emphasized that his skills ultimately determined his longevity.

“If I sucked, I would’ve disappeared very quickly.”

Speaking about their relationship today, he added:

“At this point, I think he’s excited just to see me trying new things and to see me grow.”

Early Career and Breakthrough

Dave Franco’s first notable appearance came in a 2006 episode of 7th Heaven on The WB. A year later, he gained his first film role in Greg Mottola’s coming-of-age comedy Superbad. In the early 2010s, Franco’s career accelerated with roles in Fright Night, 21 Jump Street, and Now You See Me.

Recent Work

More recently, he has appeared in titles including Regretting You, Together, and Love Lies Bleeding, continuing to build a reputation separate from his brother’s shadow.

James Franco’s Career Path

James Franco began his career on Paul Feig’s cult series Freaks and Geeks. His major breakthrough came with his portrayal of Harry Osborn in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man films starting in 2002. Over the next decade, he starred in acclaimed projects such as Pineapple Express, Milk, 127 Hours, Spring Breakers, This Is The End, The Interview, and The Disaster Artist.

Author’s Summary

Dave Franco highlights that while being James Franco’s sibling opened doors, sustained success came only through his own effort, skill, and growth as an actor.

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Variety Variety — 2025-11-02

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