James Franco Returning to 'General Hospital' Before Oscars

By Sarah Crow Posted Dec 9th 2010 12:45PM

Just last week, it was announced that James Franco would be hosting the 83rd Academy Awards ceremony alongside Anne Hathaway, but that hasn't kept the busy actor from picking up another gig in his spare time.

Franco, who is currently pursuing a PhD at Yale University, is returning the small screen to reprise his role as psychopathic artist Franco on 'General Hospital.'

TV Guide reports that the actor will return to the show in February for two episodes - one airing before the Oscars and one after.

'General Hospital' executive producer Jill Farren Phelps says of Franco's return, "When we realized James would be in L.A. for the Oscars and all the other awards shows, we asked if he'd consider coming back and doing a little something for us. He was happy to do... He's also expressed an interest in directing at 'GH.'"

The actor, who can currently be seen in the critically acclaimed '127 Hours,' began his acting career in made-for-TV movies, eventually earning recognition for his role as burnout Daniel Desario on Judd Apatow's short lived series 'Freaks and Geeks.'

Franco, who began his run on 'General Hospital' in 2009, described his work on the show as "performance art," telling the Wall Street Journal, "My hope was for people to ask themselves if soap operas are really that far from entertainment that is considered critically legitimate. Whether they did was out of my hands."

Regardless for his reasoning behind the return, the cast and crew are happy to have him back. Phelps says, "He's been really, really good to us. Whatever James wants, we'd love to make it happen!"

Check out clips of James as Franco on 'GH' below!

Tags: James Franco

Comments

(7)

Thursday 09 December

By samchicom

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He looks high

By stu

yummy..he's hot & he plays for both teams!

By cassie

Wow- he's getting a PhD?? That's pretty cool. I wonder what area his degree is in?

By tricia

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GH is in the toilet right now. All of their stunt casting hasn't helped, The James Franco S/l is ridiculus, Vanessa Marcil's return has been ruined, by the horrible writing staff as has Jonathan Jackson's return, as was Sarah Joy Brown return too. GH will continue to be at the bottom of the ratings until they start listening to their fans. Bring back Love in the afternoon with couples we can get behind, use your vets, remember your own history and fire Bob Guza, Jill Farren Phillips, and get rid of Brian Fronz. (this team has led to the cancelation of two other soaps)

By trish

GH is the only soap worth watching. Where do you get the ratings you quoted?

Friday 10 December

By Tricia

Trish, wondering why yours is the only post without a reply tab I've tried to reply twice, for some reason it won't accept my post, ratings are listed in any soap mag, gh is in 5th place.

By Lisa

James is one fine piece of @ss

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