Why James Franco’s Neighbors Are Unhappy
James Franco Image by Getty Images
By Anne Cohen March 11, 2013
“Actor/director/writer/poet/perpetual student James Franco never rests. And apparently, he doesn’t let his neighbors do so either.
A couple living next door to Franco is complaining about the constant stream of activity flowing in and out of the “Oz The Great And Powerful” star’s Silver Lake home, from which they believe he is running some sort of massive underground production company — add producer to his endless list of interests.
The disgruntled neighbors have called attention to their plight by writing an email, published in Curbed Los Angeles, describing the difficulties of sharing a white picket fence (or gated compound) with the rich and famous.
“At first, my partner and I were pleased to have Mr. Franco living next door,” the email states. “His work in ‘Milk’ and his academic pursuits made us happy he was on our street. That is no longer the case.”
The neighbors go on to write that Franco does not appear to be living in the house, but rather seems to be using it as a place for his employees to crash. “In addition, over the course of the last weeks, the individuals living on the property appear to be running a MAJOR production company out of the house and have also used it for shoots.”
Franco initially said he would be living in the house with producing partner and long-time bestie Vince Jolivette, and intended to renovate. (For pictures of the house/alleged secret office, check out RealEstalker.)
But according to the actor’s neighbors, that is simply not the case. The email adds:
“Large white production trucks and various other vehicles block our driveway and use it as a loading zone and block our street with such regularity that we have begun calling parking enforcement to have them ticketed; racks of costumes come and go; crowds of people constantly stream in and out of the house and have business meetings in front of OUR house and treat us as if we are eavesdropping sycophants when we walk out our gate to our car.”
Franco purchased the home in August 2012 for $750,000 from “Mad Men” costume designer Janie Bryant, The Hollywood Reporter reported.
Maybe Don Draper and Roger Sterling were more conscious of noise levels.
Franco is the star of the newly released “Oz The Great And Powerful.” Watch Stephen Colbert grill him on his man-of-many-talents persona and ask him if, like his character, he’s also a fraud.
A message from our Publisher & CEO Rachel Fishman Feddersen
I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.
We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.
If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.
— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO
