On Story Episode 1733: James Franco & Chris Cooper

This week, we talk with actor and filmmaker James Franco on the cult sensation Freaks and Geeks, 127 Hours and many more of his unforgettable roles in films both large and small. We follow with Chris Cooper, the Academy Award® winning Best Supporting Actor, behind his role in the comedy-drama Adaptation and how he managed to navigate through his roles in iconic films and television.

Actor and filmmaker James Franco first rose to prominence on the cult sensation Freaks and Geeks and has since followed with unforgettable roles in films both large and small. He won a Golden Globe early in his career for his portrayal of film icon, James Dean and was nominated for an Academy Award in the Best Actor category for his role in 127 Hours. James Franco is currently slated to star in the HBO original miniseries The Deuce created by AFF Awardee David Simon and author, George Pelecanos. The series is set in 1970’s New York during the rise of the porn industry and premieres in September. Producer Barry Josephson spoke with James Franco at the 19th annual Austin Film Festival in 2012.  

Chris Cooper is known for a board range of work in supporting roles from July Johnson in TV’s Lonesome Dove to Robert Hanssen in Breach, Colonel Fitts in American Beauty to Al Templeton in this year’s Hulu original mini-series 11.23.63. Chris Cooper won both an Academy Award and a Golden Globe in 2003 for his portrayal of John Laroche in the film Adaptation and his other film credits include August: Osage Country, Syriana, Jarhead, and Capote. Writer Michael Noll spoke with Cooper at the 22nd Austin Film Festival in 2015.