Dave Franco Biography

Dave Franco, whose childhood hero and influence was Roald Dahl, was born in Palo Alto, California. His family is of Portuguese, Swedish and Russian descent. Franco has two brothers, one of whom is award-winning actor James Franco.

He wasn't always interested in acting, having concentrated on writing and poetry during high school. It wasn't until college when Franco decided to follow his brothers into acting.

He gained early recognition on television with roles in Greek, Privileged, and Scrubs, and became a recurring presence in Funny or Die sketches, most notably Acting with James Franco.

Dave made his film debut in Superbad (2007) and went on to appear in Fright Night (2011) and 21 Jump Street (2012), quickly establishing himself as a versatile comedic actor.

Dave's breakout role came in the ensemble thriller Now You See Me (2013), reprised his role in the 2016 sequel. He followed up with major roles in comedies such as Neighbors (2014), Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising (2016), and the techno-thriller Nerve (2016) opposite Emma Roberts. He continued to broaden his range with projects like the medieval comedy The Little Hours (2017), the animated hit The LEGO NINJAGO Movie (2017), and the Oscar-nominated biopic The Disaster Artist (2017), directed by and co-starring his brother James.

Dave made his directorial debut with the critically acclaimed horror film The Rental (2020), which he also co-wrote. He later starred in Day Shift (2022) alongside Jamie Foxx and directed the romantic comedy Somebody I Used to Know (2023), starring his wife, actress Alison Brie.

Most recently, Dave appeared in the Emmy nominated television show The Studio (2025). He also starred in the horror film Together (2025) alongside his wife Alison.

Dave and Alison live in Los Angeles with their two cats, Harry and Arturo.

Filmography:

Together (2025)
Bubble & Squeak (2025)
The Studio (2025)
Love Lies Bleeding (2024)
Day Shift (2022)
The Afterparty (2022)
The Rental (2020)
6 Underground (2019)
If Beale Street Could Talk (2018)
The LEGO NINJAGO Movie (2017)
The Disaster Artist (2017)
The Little Hours (2017)
Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising (2016)
Nerve (2016)
Now You See Me 2 (2016)
Unfinished Business (2015)
Neighbors (2014)
22 Jump Street (2014)
Warm Bodies (2013)
Now You See Me (2013)
The LEGO Movie (2014)
21 Jump Street (2012)
Fright Night (2011)
Charlie St. Cloud (2010)
Greenberg (2010)
Scrubs (2009–2010)
Privileged (2008)
Greek (2008)
Milk (2008)
Do Not Disturb (2008)
Superbad (2007)
After Sex (2007)