James Franco is 'The Biographical Man'

American actor James Franco is among today's foremost renaissance men. Additional to roles in film and television, Franco has infused his resume with directing, writing, producing, painting, performance art and Oscar host. Within these polymath ambitions, Franco is attracted to biographical roles in film. It is here that I dub this leading young actor 'The Biographical Man.'

Since the turn of the 21st century, Franco has made several breakthrough performances based on real people. It started in 2000 when he took the lead role in a television movie, "James Dean." Recently Franco has helped carry the cinematic torch of modern American history in films like "Milk," "Howl," and "127 Hours."

By 2000, Franco had become well known for his role on television's "Freaks and Geeks." At the time, looking at images of Franco it was apparent this face needed to play James Dean. Synchronicity ensued as director Mark Rydell had a James Dean biopic in development and Franco was free to take the part. With "James Dean", Franco got nominated for a SAG award and won a Golden Globe award.

Franco spread his wings; taking parts in Robert Altman films ("The Company") and in summer blockbusters like "Spider-Man." The actor returned to his biographical tendency with the 2005 war film, "The Great Raid." Franco co-starred as Captain Robert Prince of the 6th Ranger Battalion, who led a 1945 raid to liberate the Cabanatuan POW camp in the Philippines.

After taking another lead as a military man in "Annapolis," Franco also took the lead in the WWI drama based on the true story of the Lafayette Escadrille, "Flyboys." Franco played a character based on the life of American fighter ace, Frank Luke, Jr., who was the first airman awarded the Medal of Honor.

Franco once again put on his uniform in the fictionalized film about the murder of Army veteran Richard T. Davis, "In the Valley of Elah." The Paul Haggis film was based on a "Playboy" article by Mark Boal, who later won an Oscar for "The Hurt Locker" screenplay.

In 2004 Franco abandoned his biographical military roles, but continued with crime dramas in "An American Crime." The film portrayed the bizarre true story of Sylvia Likens, who was tortured to death in Indiana. Franco had only minor roles in both "An American Crime" and "In the Valley of Elah."

After flexing his versatility as an actor in Seth Rogan's "Pineapple Express," Franco's talents were realized in the acclaimed 2008 biopic "Milk." Franco received awards and several nominations for Best Supporting Actor as gay rights activist and Harvey Milk's lover, Scott Smith.

Franco was so revered as a lover, that Julia Roberts gave him a try in the biographical film based on Elizabeth Gilbert's memoir, "Eat, Pray, Love." While portraying one of the many charmers Gilbert met on her self-discovery journey, that same year Franco also portrayed another real-life gay man.

The experimental film "Howl", was named for the famous poem by Allen Ginsberg, portrayed by James Franco. Though, Franco was basking in acclaim for another biographical film in 2010; as climber, author and inspirational speaker Aron Ralston in "127 Hours."

The world knew the story of Aron Ralston, but mostly as "that guy who cut his arm off under a boulder." Ralston transcended news headlines with his book, "Between a Rock and a Hard Place," but his story soon reached new heights. In the hands of director Danny Boyle, Franco captivated audiences with a riveting performance confined by canyon walls.

With "127 Hours" nominated for the Best Picture Oscar, Franco also joined an exclusive club of actors nominated for Best Actor while hosting the ceremony. While Franco got some gruff for not being the most enthusiastic Oscar host, he kept to his biographical tendencies. He captured this moment of his life by being the first Oscar host to "tweet" on stage and posted web videos of his experience.

Critics of the 83rd Academy Awards Ceremony went as far as saying James Franco looked "high." In his defense, we can turn to director Danny Boyle, who once said that in first meeting Franco about "127 Hours," he thought the actor was "stoned." So did Franco get lost is his "Pineapple Express" role? According to Danny Boyle, Franco uses the demeanor to keep Hollywood at a distance and there he was facing all of Hollywood. So, it's no surprise that Franco looked like he had been taking bong-rips during commercial breaks.

As an actor, Franco takes part in documenting American history on film, bringing truly fascinating men to the screen. He also documented his own biography in a sign of twitter times at the Oscars. As so many of us are doing now, Franco is writing his biography with social media as he lives it.