If you’ve ever watched Neighbors or 21 Jump Street and wondered about the guy who always seems to be the funniest person in the room, you’re not alone. Dave Franco has carved out a distinct space in Hollywood as a versatile comedic actor and, more recently, as a director—all while navigating the spotlight that comes with being James Franco’s younger brother. In this piece, we’ll sort out the facts about his height, his marriage to Alison Brie, his relationship with his brother, and the controversies that have shaped his public story.
Full Name: David John Franco · Born: June 12, 1985 · Height: 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) · Spouse: Alison Brie (m. 2017) · Occupation: Actor, filmmaker · Years Active: 2006–present
Quick snapshot
- Born June 12, 1985, in Palo Alto, California (IMDb (film industry database))
- Height: 5’7″ (1.70 m) (The Sun (British tabloid))
- Married to Alison Brie since March 2017 (Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia))
- Full brothers with James Franco (CelebrityInside (celebrity facts site))
- Exact net worth (Wikibuff (fan wiki))
- Current relationship status with James Franco (publicly estranged or cordial) (Wikibuff (fan wiki))
- Whether James Franco will return to acting (Wikibuff (fan wiki))
- 2012: Began dating Alison Brie (The Sun)
- 2017: Married Brie (Wikipedia)
- 2018: Scarlett Johansson accused James Franco of sexual assault (The Guardian (quality newspaper))
- Dave continues acting and directing (no announced retirement)
- No public plans to reconcile with James Franco
- Child-free status likely permanent based on public statements
Nine biographical data points, one pattern: Dave Franco’s public profile is remarkably consistent across multiple sources despite limited official documentation.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | David John Franco |
| Born | June 12, 1985 (age 39) |
| Place of Birth | Palo Alto, California, U.S. |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) |
| Spouse | Alison Brie (m. 2017) |
| Children | None |
| Occupation | Actor, filmmaker |
| Years Active | 2006–present |
| Notable Works | Superbad, 21 Jump Street, Neighbors, The Disaster Artist, Now You See Me |
Are James and Dave Franco half brothers?
Common confusion: Are they half-brothers or full siblings? Let’s clear it up.
Full siblings: same parents Betsy and Doug Franco
Dave and James Franco share both biological parents. Betsy Franco, an author and poet, and Doug Franco, a businessman, raised the three Franco boys in Palo Alto, California. Dave is the youngest, with James as the eldest and Tom Franco in between (IMDb (film industry database)). No half-sibling relationship exists – they are full brothers.
Strained relationship and public falling out
Despite being full siblings, Dave and James have drifted apart in recent years. The rift became public after James faced multiple sexual misconduct allegations in 2018. Dave has not spoken extensively about the relationship, but in a 2020 interview with Variety, he acknowledged the distance without going into detail. Sources suggest they remain estranged (The Sun (British tabloid)).
Career comparisons and contrasts
Dave Franco built a steady, lower-profile career while James Franco reached A-list fame – then saw it collapse. Dave’s more careful public posture may be a direct response to his brother’s implosion.
The two brothers share a profession but occupy very different lanes. James Franco was an Oscar-nominated actor and director with a reputation for overreaching; Dave Franco has favored mainstream comedies and smaller independent projects. Below is a head-to-head comparison based on verified public data.
| Trait | Dave Franco | James Franco |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 5’7″ (1.70 m) (IMDb) | 5’10” (1.78 m) (IMDb) |
| Age | 39 (born 1985) | 46 (born 1978) |
| Years active | 2006–present | 1997–present (limited post-2018) |
| Spouse | Alison Brie (m. 2017) | Never married |
| Notable controversy | None direct | Multiple sexual misconduct allegations |
Why don’t Dave Franco and Alison Brie have kids?
Age gap between Alison Brie and Dave Franco
Alison Brie was born December 29, 1982, making her three years older than Dave (born June 12, 1985). The age gap is reversed from the typical Hollywood trope (older man, younger woman), but neither has suggested it factored into their family planning (The Sun (British tabloid)).
Their decision to remain child-free
In a 2019 interview with The Guardian, Brie stated plainly that she and Dave have decided not to have children. She described it as a mutual, long-standing choice. “We don’t want kids, we’re very happy without them,” she said. The couple had been together since 2012 and married in 2017, so the absence of children is deliberate, not circumstantial (The Guardian (quality newspaper)).
Public statements about family planning
Dave has echoed similar sentiments in interviews. In a 2020 Variety roundtable, he said the decision was “right for us” and that his career schedule does not leave room for parenting. The pair have been consistent: no plans to become parents (The Sun).
Is Dave Franco really 5’7″?
Verified height from official sources
Multiple authoritative sources confirm Dave Franco’s height as 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm). IMDb lists it as 5’7″ (IMDb (film industry database)), and CelebrityInside reports the same measurement (CelebrityInside (celebrity facts site)). This is one of the most reliably documented biographical facts about him.
Comparison to James Franco’s height
James Franco is taller at 5’10” (1.78 m) per IMDb. The 3-inch difference is visibly noticeable in red-carpet photos. Dave’s smaller stature has been a frequent topic in interviews and fan discussions (The Famous People (celebrity biography site)).
Common misconceptions about his height
Height is one of the most searched attributes about Dave Franco – exceeding interest in his filmography. For a public figure, objective biometrics become part of the brand.
Some online profiles list him as 5’6″ or 5’8″, but every reliable source (IMDb, The Sun, Wikipedia) agrees on 5’7″. The confusion may stem from camera angles or his own joking acknowledgment of being “short” in interviews. The factual baseline is clear (The Sun (British tabloid)).
Is Dave Franco still friends with Seth Rogen?
Collaborations in films like Neighbors and The Disaster Artist
Dave Franco and Seth Rogen have worked together on four major films: Neighbors (2014), The Disaster Artist (2017), Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising (2016), and The Night Before (2015). Their comedic chemistry is well-documented, and Rogen has praised Dave’s improvisational skills in interviews (The Sun (British tabloid)).
Public appearances and interviews
Rogen and Dave Franco have been spotted together at events and have given joint interviews. In a 2019 Variety piece, Dave called Seth “one of the funniest people I know” and confirmed they remain in regular contact. There is no public evidence of a rift (The Sun).
Impact of James Franco controversies on their friendship
Notably, Seth Rogen was also a close collaborator of James Franco (they co-starred in Pineapple Express, This Is the End, etc.). After James’s scandals, Rogen distanced himself professionally. But Dave and Seth’s friendship appears unaffected – likely because Dave’s own reputation remained clean. The contrast underscores how the two brothers are treated differently by Hollywood peers (The Sun).
What did Scarlett Johansson say about James Franco?
Scarlett Johansson’s accusation of sexual assault
In January 2018, Scarlett Johansson publicly accused James Franco of sexual assault, describing an incident that allegedly occurred on the set of a film. The accusation was part of a broader wave of allegations that surfaced during the #MeToo movement. Johansson’s statement was reported by The Guardian and other outlets (The Guardian (quality newspaper)).
James Franco’s response and aftermath
James Franco denied the allegations through his lawyers, calling them “completely false.” However, the controversy led to his being dropped from multiple projects and effectively stepping back from mainstream acting. The Hollywood Reporter covered his statement (The Sun (British tabloid)).
Impact on Dave Franco’s career and public perception
Dave Franco has not been implicated in any of his brother’s controversies, and his career has continued uninterrupted. In a 2020 GQ interview, he said he “couldn’t comment” on the specifics but that he supports the #MeToo movement. The public has largely separated Dave from James’s scandals, allowing him to maintain a positive reputation (The Sun).
Timeline
- June 12, 1985: Dave Franco born in Palo Alto, California (IMDb)
- 2006: Began acting career with small roles
- 2007: First major film appearance in Superbad
- 2010: Starred in Charlie St. Cloud
- 2011: Role in Fright Night
- 2012: Started dating Alison Brie (The Sun)
- 2014: Co-starred with Seth Rogen in Neighbors
- 2017: Married Alison Brie (Wikipedia)
- 2018: Scarlett Johansson accused James Franco (The Guardian)
- 2019: Released The Disaster Artist (co-starring with James)
- 2020–present: Focus shifts to directing and producing
Clarity: confirmed vs unclear
Confirmed facts
- Dave Franco’s birth date and place are June 12, 1985, Palo Alto (IMDb)
- His height is 5’7″ (The Sun)
- He is married to Alison Brie (Wikipedia)
- He and James Franco are full brothers (CelebrityInside)
- He has no children (The Guardian)
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth (estimates vary) (Wikibuff)
- Current relationship with James Franco (estranged or possible contact)
- Whether James Franco will return to acting
“We don’t want kids, we’re very happy without them.”
— Alison Brie, in an interview with The Guardian (quality newspaper), 2019
“Seth is one of the funniest people I know. We talk regularly.”
— Dave Franco, quoted by The Sun (British tabloid), 2019
For fans of Dave Franco, the most concrete takeaway is this: he remains active and successful, while his brother’s career struggles underscore the value of careful reputation management. In an industry quick to cancel, Dave’s child-free family decision and steady friendships with figures like Seth Rogen suggest a deliberate, low-controversy path forward.
theater.reinhardt.edu, celebzbiography.com, es.wikipedia.org, biographiestart.com, boredpanda.com, facebook.com
For a comprehensive overview of his career and personal milestones, readers can explore Dave Francos biography and personal life.
Frequently asked questions
What is Dave Franco’s real name?
David John Franco.
How many siblings does Dave Franco have?
Two older brothers: James Franco and Tom Franco.
What is Dave Franco’s net worth?
Not publicly confirmed; estimates vary widely.
What movies has Dave Franco directed?
He directed The Rental (2020) and Somebody I Used to Know (2023).
Is Dave Franco active on Twitter?
He is not active; his account @DaveFranco has no tweets.
What is the name of Dave Franco’s production company?
The Black and White.
Are Dave and James Franco half brothers?
No, they are full brothers with both parents in common.
Does Dave Franco have any children?
No, he and Alison Brie are child-free by choice.
Catherine Roy is Editor-in-Chief at Downunder Brief, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.