James Franco made a rare public appearance to celebrate his brother Dave Franco’s 40th birthday at the 71st Taormina Film Festival in Taormina, Italy, on Wednesday, June 11. Photos show Dave standing proudly in front of a birthday cake, surrounded by loved ones including his wife, Alison Brie, his mother, Betsy Franco, James, producer Tiziana Rocca, and James' girlfriend, Izabel Pakzad.
This appearance marks a relatively uncommon sighting for James, who has maintained a lower profile in recent years. It comes nearly a year after he discussed the end of his long-standing friendship with Seth Rogen. In an interview with Variety in October 2024, James stated, “I haven’t talked to Seth. I love Seth, we had 20 great years together, but I guess it’s over. And not for lack of trying. I’ve told him how much he’s meant to me.”
Seth Rogen responded to these comments in a February 11 interview with Esquire, saying he was unaware of them. “Honestly, I absorb so little media that it really wasn’t on my radar,” he said, with the outlet reporting that he had no further comment on the matter.
James and Seth collaborated on numerous successful films throughout their careers. However, in 2018, James faced allegations of sexual misconduct from several women, including former students at his Studio 4 acting school. One accuser, Sarah Tither-Kaplan, claimed James “abused his power by exploiting the non-celebrity women that he worked with under the guise of giving them opportunities.” James has denied these allegations.
The celebration of Dave Franco's 40th birthday provided a moment of joy and togetherness for the Franco family amidst a backdrop of past controversies. Dave Franco, also a successful actor in his own right, is known for his roles in films like "21 Jump Street" and "Now You See Me." The family's appearance at the Taormina Film Festival has garnered attention and highlights the enduring bonds between the brothers.