Actor James Franco accused of inappropriate sexual conduct by 5 women

Franco’s attorney denied the allegations made by the women in a Los Angeles Times article.

By JTA
Updated: JANUARY 14, 2018 17:30
James Franco at the gala presentation of "The Disaster Artist" at the AFI Film Festival in Los Angeles, California, US, November 12, 2017. (photo credit: REUTERS/MIKE BLAKE)
James Franco at the gala presentation of "The Disaster Artist" at the AFI Film Festival in Los Angeles, California, US, November 12, 2017.
(photo credit: REUTERS/MIKE BLAKE)
Five women said actor and filmmaker James Franco had acted in a sexually inappropriate way toward them, adding to earlier accusations on social media.
The women detailed the Jewish actor’s behavior in a Los Angeles Times article published Thursday. Three women who studied at a film school Franco founded said he had acted inappropriately on set, including becoming angry when they did not want to take off their tops and removing plastic guards covering women’s genitals in a sex scene.
Another former student said Franco would make people think they could get a role if they performed sexual favors or took off their shirts. A fifth woman said Franco pressured her into performing oral sex while the two were in a romantic relationship.
Franco’s attorney, Michael Plonsker, denied the allegations and pointed to comments made by Franco earlier this week, according to the Times.
On Tuesday, Franco denied allegations made on Sunday against him on social media, including by some of the actresses quoted by the Times, but also said, “If I have done something wrong, I will fix it — I have to.”
In 2014, Franco admitted to having flirted with a 17-year-old girl on Instagram and offered to rent a hotel room so the two could meet, after the girl posted photos of their exchange on the Internet.
On Sunday, Franco won the Golden Globes award for best actor in a feature comedy for his portrayal of the eccentric director Tommy Wiseau in “The Disaster Artist.” During the awards ceremony, he wore a pin expressing his support for “Time’s Up,” a movement against sexual harassment.
The accusations are the latest in a flood that has roiled the worlds of entertainment, politics and the media since November after dozens of women alleged that Hollywood movie mogul Harvey Weinstein harassed and in some cases assaulted them.