James Franco: Then and now

From a freak to a drug dealer, tracing the many faces of Franco

By Drew Tewksbury, Special to Metromix

There are few actors who have had as unpredictable of a life, both on and off the screen, as James Franco. His acting career has taken him in new directions whether he was playing a stoner in "Freaks and Geeks," a junkie in "City by the Sea," or, um, a drugged-up drug dealer in "Pineapple Express."

Well, Franco has also had great non-stoner roles in "Milk" and a little movie trilogy called "Spider-Man." This week he guest stars on "General Hospital," proving that in the life of Franco, change is the only constant.

To celebrate Franco's soap star status, we present a look back at the ups and downs his career.