Dave Franco Says Fans Once Thought He Was a ‘Douchebag’ Because of His Movie Roles

Actor Dave Franco says audiences once assumed he was a bad person because of the rude and arrogant characters he often played early in his career.

Speaking on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, the 41-year-old actor said people were sometimes surprised to discover that he was actually a nice person. Franco believes his lack of social media presence contributed to the misunderstanding because fans mainly saw him through his film roles.

“I played a lot of a---holes and douchebags early on, and so everyone was like, ‘F--- that guy! He must be like that,’” Franco said.

The actor, known for films including Superbad, 21 Jump Street and Neighbors, said people would sometimes tell him they were surprised by how friendly he was when meeting him in person.

Franco said he hopes his interviews over nearly two decades in the industry have helped audiences understand his real personality. He has also taken on different types of roles, including magician Jack Wilder in the Now You See Me films and a role in Regretting You.

Despite the assumptions about him, Franco said he still enjoys playing unpleasant characters. He pointed to his role in Love Lies Bleeding, where he plays an especially despicable character.

“When they start clapping at your demise, you’re like, ‘I did a good job,’” he said.