James Franco's Father Dies Suddenly

INFDaily.com

James Franco's Father, Doug, Dies Suddenly This Week at Age 63

Sad news for Oscar-nominated actor James Franco and his family: Doug Franco, the 127 Hours star's father, passed away sometime this week at age 63.

Details are scarce about the sudden death, but Franco's mom, Betsy, tweeted on Monday, "It is true that my sweet, generous husband passed away. He gave so much to his three sons and me, and to many other people, too."

Read: James Franco Drops Out of Broadway Play 'Sweet Bird of Youth'

The cause, or even exact time, of Doug Franco's death hasn't been revealed yet. Doug Franco was a businessman in Silicon Valley and had a Harvard MBA. 

Showbiz 411.com columnist Roger Friedman recalls talking to Doug Franco at last year's Oscar ceremony, where his son was hosting. Friedman reports Doug Franco was "one of the nicest guys you could hope to meet, and that he talked about how "awed" he was by his son's many accomplishments and projects.

Read: James Franco, Girlfriend Ahna O'Reilly Broke Up (POLL)

James Franco credited his father with steering him towards an offbeat sense of humor. "I'm not serious all the time," James said in a 2006 interview. "It's not like I grew up in a house full of jokes, but my dad did turn me on to Monty Python."

Doug Franco, who met writer wife Betsy when she was a Stanford student, is survived by three sons: James; Scrubs actor Dave; and artist Tom.