James Franco 50 facts: Likes to paint in his spare time and released poetry collection

50 things you didn't know about you favorite actor James Franco.

1. Franco won a Golden Globe for his role as James Dean. Franco gave the award statue to his mother.

2. As teen he was shoplifting designer fragrances from department stores and selling them to classmates.

3. His nickname is Ted or Teddy.

4. Franco trained in sword fighting and horseback riding for his role in 'Tristan & Isolde.'

5. He is known for his breakthrough starring role on Freaks and Geeks.

6. Franco was born to Betsy Franco who is Jewish. She is a writer and has occasionally acted.

7. His father, Douglas Eugene "Doug" Franco, was of Portuguese and Swedish descent, and ran a Silicon Valley business.

8. James grew up with his two younger brothers, Dave Franco and Tom.

9. His brother Dave Franco is also actor.

10. Franco went on to attend UCLA, majoring in English.

11. After fifteen months of intensive study at Robert Carnegie's Playhouse West, James began actively pursuing his dream of finding work as an actor in Hollywood.

12. He landed a role in on Freaks and Geeks in 1999, however the show was not a hit and was cancelled after its first year.

13. His middle name is Edward.

14. Lost the lead role to Tobey Maguire and settled for the part of Harry Osborne, Spider-Man's best friend.

15. Robert De Niro personally had him cast in City by the Sea, after viewing Franco's performance in James Dean.

16. Earned an Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Actor in Gus Van Sant's Milk opposite Sean Penn.

17. Franco tends to play characters with a troubled past or life

18. Often plays real life characters.

19. Appeared in two movies that premiered on the same day, Deuces Wild (2002) and Spider-Man (2002).

20. His parents, Betsy Franco & Doug Franco, met at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California.

21. He likes to paint in his spare time.

22. Has his own production company Rabbit Bandini Productions.

23. Franco was voted "Best Smile" at Palo Alto High School.

24. Started smoking for his lead role in James Dean in 2001.

25. Worked with stunt coordinator Nick Powell in two movies.

26. He is a friend with Tobey Maguire and used to watch his daughter on the set of Spider-Man 3.

27. He has art in his genes! His grandmother, Mitzie Verne, is an artist.

28. Franco became the face of Gucci cologne and shot an advertising campaign for the cologne.

29. In 2009 Franco was chosen by Premiere magazine as one of the "The 40 Most Handsome Hollywood Men."

30. His mother played his character's mother on General Hospital.

31. Has a private pilot's license which he completed to prepare for his role in Flyboys.

32. Franco is a talented mathematician.

33. My Own Private Idaho is his favorite film.

34. James Franco directed short films for two R.E.M. songs, "Blue" and "That Someone Is You.' Both songs are from R.E.M. album Collapse Into Now.

35. Franco wrote a debut poetry collection. titled Directing Herbert White.

36. Has a start on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

37. Volunteers at the charity Art of Elysium in Los Angeles, helping kids with serious medical conditions.

38. Franco was also honored for his work at the hospital, receiving the Spirit of Elysium accolade.

39. To prepare for the role in Annapolis, Franco did eight months of boxing training.

40. If he could have any special power, he would choose to be a speed-reader.

41. Worked the McDonald's drive through after he dropped out from UCLA.

42. Sharon Stone and Blink-182 singer Tom DeLonge purchased some of his paintings.

43. He is very academically accomplished. Franco has two MFA degrees in writing. His third MFA is in film, from New York University.

44. Was named the coolest person of the year by Joel Stein in 2010.

45. Franco teaches a graduate class that takes students through the process of making a feature-length film.

46. Was so good in math he once earned an internship at Lockheed Martin.

47. He usually closes his emails using a closing phrase "Peace."

48. Franco shares the same birthday as other celebrities like Dudley Moore, Kate Hudson, Hayden Christensen, Tim Curry, Jayne Mansfield and Jesse James.

49. Franco had buck teeth and wore braces as a child.

50. While in high school he was arrested for underage drinking and for graffiti.