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11 Reasons James Franco Is a Hollywood Rule-Breaker

Performance art! Going back to college! See the ways in which the Rise of the Planet of the Apes star has followed his own untraditional path (12 Photos)

Donna Kaufman on Aug 4, 2011 at 5:31PM

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11 Reasons James Franco Is a Hollywood Rule-Breaker

James Franco/Chris Haston/NBC

From Math Geek to Freaks and Geeks

Franco’s Way: James Franco was a high-school math genius who could have easily moved into the technology field -- but he did a few high school plays, and he was hooked. After just one year at UCLA, Franco defied his parents and dropped out to pursue an acting career.

Rebellious Reward: In 1999, the actor was cast as the bad-boy crush object in the TV drama Freaks and Geeks. The show was shelved after one season, but it quickly led to bigger things for Franco -- as it did for his co-stars Seth Rogen and Jason Segel, and series creator Judd Apatow. "It was one of the first good things that I did," the 33-year-old actor told Cinemablend.com. "It really was a unique experience, I've learned only after it was cancelled."