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Starry Divorces: Celebrities Who Have Parted Ways with James Franco

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Celebs Who Are No Longer Friends With James Franco

This article contains references to domestic abuse and sexual assault allegations.

James Franco was once known as a friendly figure in Hollywood, but this changed drastically when allegations of sexual misconduct emerged, including claims of trying to seduce an underage girl. As a result of these accusations, Franco’s career suffered and many of his friendships dissipated rapidly.

Though Franco has denied a large number of the allegations, he did admit to engaging in relationships with students from his acting school. He ultimately agreed to pay $2.2 million to resolve various sexual misconduct lawsuits against him. After a prolonged break from public life, Franco is now attempting to return to acting, claiming to have moved on from past issues. In a 2024 interview with Variety, he mentioned significant personal growth during his hiatus. “It was dealt with, and I’ve changed,” he stated.

While Franco is looking to reboot his career, his former friends are not so eager to reconnect. Notably, Seth Rogen, who was once a close friend, has publicly distanced himself. For Franco, reviving his career may be on the table, but restoring lost friendships seems unlikely.

Seth Rogen’s Break with James Franco

James Franco and Seth Rogen at the 75th Golden Globes

In the face of serious allegations, one might expect friends to stand by the accused. However, for Rogen, the opposite has happened. Their friendship, which began in 1999 with “Freaks and Geeks” and spanned the making of multiple films, has sadly come to an end. Rogen has stated he will not collaborate with Franco again.

Rogen made it clear: “I despise abuse and harassment and would never cover for someone accused of it,” he stated in an interview with The Sunday Times. Fans noticed the stark change, particularly because Rogen had previously joked about Franco’s behavior during a 2014 appearance on Saturday Night Live and had once expressed willingness to work with him again in 2018. Now, he labels those comments as “terrible” and insists he has no plans to collaborate with Franco.

Franco, feeling the sting of lost friendship, acknowledged trying to reach out to Rogen, who seems unresponsive. “I love Seth. We had 20 wonderful years together, but now it seems that’s over,” Franco shared with Variety.

Busy Philipps Shares Her Experience with James Franco

Busy Philipps at the 28th Annual Critics Choice Awards
 Joe Seer/Shutterstock

While Busy Philipps has not accused James Franco of sexual assault, she has shared her own unsettling experiences with him. Like Rogen, Philipps worked on “Freaks and Geeks” alongside Franco and recounted incidents in her memoir, “This Will Only Hurt a Little.” In it, she described Franco as a “bully” and shared a particular incident where a scripted action led to an intense overreaction from him. “He grabbed both my arms and screamed, ‘DON’T EVER TOUCH ME AGAIN!'” she recounted.

Friends Turned Enemies: Stars Speak Out Against James Franco

Busy Philipps Reflects on James Franco’s Behavior

Busy Philipps shared a troubling experience with James Franco, recalling an incident where he physically overstepped boundaries, leaving her vulnerable. Although Franco later apologized under pressure, their relationship has been strained. Philipps, supporting Seth Rogen’s position, has made it clear that she has no interest in collaborating with him again, emphasizing her negative encounters with Franco and concerns about his numerous allegations of misconduct.

Ally Sheedy’s Stark Shift in Perspective

Ally Sheedy’s relationship with James Franco started positively when he cast her in his 2014 play “The Long Shrift,” leading her to describe him as generous. However, her view drastically changed in 2018 when she publicly criticized him following his Golden Globes appearance. Sheedy’s tweets expressed her dismay over Franco’s presence at such an event despite his controversial reputation, ultimately signaling her withdrawal from the entertainment industry.

In response to Sheedy’s outcry, Franco feigned ignorance, claiming he was unaware of her grievances and had only fond memories of working with her.

Scarlett Johansson Calls Out Franco’s Hypocrisy

Scarlett Johansson also took aim at Franco during the same year, particularly criticizing him for wearing a #TimesUp pin. At the Women’s March in 2018, she condemned the contradiction of supporting victims publicly while allegedly victimizing others privately. Johansson firmly stated she was done accommodating men’s feelings, asserting her commitment to self-respect and integrity.

Tom Hanks Subtly Critiques Franco

Renowned actor Tom Hanks didn’t shy away from making pointed remarks directed at James Franco during discussions about the pervasive issue of harassment in Hollywood. He highlighted the existences of predators in the industry but emphasized the importance of accountability and professional ethics. When asked to respond to these comments, Franco’s reaction came off as awkward and lacking depth.

If you or anyone you know is a victim of sexual assault, support is available through the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website or RAINN’s National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).

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