David John Franco, widely known as Dave Franco, is an American actor and filmmaker who has steadily built a reputation distinct from his older brother, James Franco. At 39 years old, standing at 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m), Franco has carved out a successful career in comedy, thriller, and horror genres, with breakout roles in films like 21 Jump Street and Now You See Me. Married to actress Alison Brie since 2017, the couple frequently collaborate on creative projects. Franco’s directorial debut, The Rental (2020), marked a significant shift toward filmmaking, and he continues to develop new work behind the camera.
David John Franco
39 years old (June 12, 1985)
5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
21 Jump Street, Now You See Me, The Disaster Artist, Scrubs
Key Insights at a Glance
- Dave Franco has built a distinct career separate from his older brother, James Franco.
- Married to actress Alison Brie since March 2017; the couple frequently collaborate on projects.
- Contrary to online speculation, Franco did not portray Spider-Man. He voiced The Prowler in Spider‑Man: Into the Spider‑Verse.
- He made his directorial debut with the horror film The Rental (2020), signalling a move toward filmmaking.
- His official Instagram account (@davefranko) carries a bio stating “Dave does NOT have an instagram,” indicating it is not personally managed.
Dave Franco Biography Snapshot
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birth Name | David John Franco |
| Date of Birth | June 12, 1985 |
| Place of Birth | Palo Alto, California, USA |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) |
| Spouse | Alison Brie (m. 2017) |
| Sibling | James Franco (brother) |
| Occupation | Actor, Filmmaker |
| Years Active | 2006–present |
| Notable Film | 21 Jump Street (2012) |
| Directorial Debut | The Rental (2020) |
Is Dave Franco Related to James Franco?
Yes, James Franco is Dave Franco’s older brother. The two share a close family background: their mother, Betsy Franco, is an author and actress; their father, Douglas Eugene “Doug” Franco, worked in Silicon Valley. Dave also has another older brother, Tom Franco. Sources describe the family as creative and academically oriented. Dave studied at the University of Southern California and originally considered becoming a high school creative-writing teacher before being steered into acting by James Franco’s manager, according to one account.
Dave Franco and James Franco Relationship
The brothers have collaborated professionally. They appeared together in The Disaster Artist (2017), a film about the making of The Room, directed by James. Dave has often spoken about the need to carve his own path, and he has largely succeeded, building a reputation in comedy and thriller genres without relying on his brother’s fame.
Who Is Dave Franco’s Wife?
Dave Franco married actress Alison Brie in March 2017 after becoming engaged in 2015. Brie is known for her roles in Community, Mad Men, and GLOW. The couple have worked together on multiple projects, including The Rental (which Franco wrote and directed) and the 2025 Sundance-premiered film Together. Their professional partnership continues to draw interest from fans.
Dave Franco and Alison Brie have appeared in three films together as of 2025: The Little Hours, The Rental, and Together. Both have described their working relationship as natural and supportive.
What Movies and TV Shows Has Dave Franco Been In?
Franco’s career began on television with a 2006 appearance on 7th Heaven. He landed an uncredited role in Superbad (2007) and later gained regular work on the medical comedy-drama Scrubs (2009–2010), playing Cole Aaronson. His major breakthrough came in 2012 with the action-comedy 21 Jump Street.
Notable Film Roles
- 21 Jump Street (2012) – alongside Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum.
- Now You See Me (2013) – ensemble heist thriller.
- Neighbors (2014) – comedy with Seth Rogen and Zac Efron.
- The Disaster Artist (2017) – biographical comedy-drama.
- The Rental (2020) – directorial debut, horror-thriller.
- Day Shift (2022) – action horror with Jamie Foxx.
Television and Directorial Work
On the small screen, Franco was part of the main cast of The Afterparty (2022). He also appeared in Do Not Disturb. His move into directing came in 2020 with The Rental, which he also wrote. The film premiered to generally positive reviews and cemented his ambition to work behind the camera.
Dave Franco wrote, directed, and starred in The Rental. The film grossed over $4 million worldwide on a modest budget, encouraging him to develop further directorial projects.
Did Dave Franco Play Spider-Man?
The supplied sources do not show Dave Franco playing Spider‑Man or appearing as an officially credited Spider‑Man character in his live‑action filmography. The confusion may stem from his voice role in Spider‑Man: Into the Spider‑Verse (2018), where he voiced the character The Prowler (Aaron Davis’s nephew). This is a supporting role, not the title hero. Franco has not portrayed Peter Parker or any live‑action version of the superhero.
Despite online speculation, Dave Franco never played Spider‑Man. His connection to the franchise is limited to a voice cameo in the animated Into the Spider‑Verse. The rumor likely arises from fans confusing him with other actors or from misattributed social‑media posts.
How Did Dave Franco’s Career Progress Over Time?
- 1985 – Born in Palo Alto, California to Betsy and Doug Franco.
- 2006–2007 – First acting roles; appears in small parts in Superbad and episodic TV.
- 2008–2010 – Recurring role in Scrubs as Cole Aaronson.
- 2012 – Breakout role in 21 Jump Street.
- 2013 – Stars in Now You See Me and Warm Bodies.
- 2017 – Marries Alison Brie. Co‑stars in The Disaster Artist.
- 2018 – Voices a character in Spider‑Man: Into the Spider‑Verse.
- 2020 – Directs and stars in debut film The Rental.
- 2023–2025 – Continues acting in film and television; developing new directorial projects.
What Is Certain and Uncertain About Dave Franco’s Life?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Age and height (39 years old, 5′7″) confirmed by Wikipedia and IMDB. | Net worth – unverified figures circulate ($10M–$20M). No public financial records. |
| He did not play Spider‑Man; he voiced The Prowler in the animated film. | Instagram account exists (@davefranko) but bio states it is not personally managed. |
| Spouse: Alison Brie, married 2017. Verified by multiple sources. | Exact income sources and current investments are not disclosed. |
How Does Dave Franco Compare to His Brother James Franco?
As the younger brother of the more prominent James Franco, Dave has navigated constant comparisons throughout his career. He carved out a niche in comedy and thriller genres, starring in franchises like 21 Jump Street and Now You See Me, while James pursued a wider range of independent and experimental projects. Dave’s marriage to Alison Brie has also kept him in the public eye, and the couple are known for their creative collaborations. His shift into directing with The Rental reflects an ambition to expand beyond acting, mirroring industry trends of actor‑director crossovers.
What Do Official Sources Say About Dave Franco?
“David John Franco (born June 12, 1985) is an American actor and filmmaker.”
– Wikipedia
“David John Franco was born in Palo Alto, California, to Betsy Franco, an author, and Douglas Eugene ‘Doug’ Franco.”
– IMDB Bio
“Dave does NOT have an instagram.”
– @davefranko (Instagram bio)
“Dave Franco’s breakout roles were on ‘Scrubs’ and the popular remake of ‘21 Jump Street’ (2012).”
– Rotten Tomatoes
What’s Next for Dave Franco?
Dave Franco is expected to continue balancing acting with directing. No major upcoming film releases have been officially announced for 2025 as of this writing. Given the success of The Rental, fans and critics are likely to watch for his next directorial project. Potential collaborations with his wife, Alison Brie, remain high. For more actor biographies, see Kaya Scodelario Movies and TV Shows and Forest Whitaker Movies and TV Shows.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Dave Franco’s net worth?
Estimates for Dave Franco’s net worth vary, typically ranging between $10 million and $20 million. These figures are not officially confirmed by Franco or his representatives, as his financial earnings come from acting, directing, and producing.
How did Dave Franco start his acting career?
Dave Franco began with small roles, including an uncredited part in Superbad (2007) and a recurring role as Cole on the medical comedy‑drama Scrubs (2008–2010). His breakout came with the lead role in 21 Jump Street (2012).
What are the best Dave Franco movies?
Critically and commercially successful Dave Franco movies include 21 Jump Street (2012), Now You See Me (2013), The Disaster Artist (2017), and his directorial debut The Rental (2020).
What horror movies has Dave Franco been in?
Dave Franco starred in and directed The Rental (2020), a horror‑thriller. He also appears in the horror‑comedy Nerve (2016) and has a role in The Little Hours (2017).
How old was Dave Franco in 21 Jump Street?
Dave Franco was 26 years old when 21 Jump Street was released in March 2012 (born June 12, 1985).
Is Dave Franco active on Instagram?
Dave Franco has an official Instagram account (@davefranko), but his bio explicitly states “Dave does NOT have an instagram,” indicating the account is not personally managed and he is not actively posting or engaging there.
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Grace Hollis is Film & Music Editor at StoryNative.uk, covering film releases, music news, soundtracks and awards season.