Professor fired for giving James Franco a bad grade

A film professor claims he was fired from an American university after he gave James Franco a D-grade.

This time last year we were all in awe of Franco. The star was making Oscar-nominated movies, making random appearances on US TV, talking at length about art and getting ready to host the Oscars.

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But now it seems he took on too much - at least that is the verdict of film professor Jose Angel Santana, formerly of the New York University (NYU).

In the New York Post, Santana claims that he was axed from his post as assistant arts professor on the actor's graduate film course for giving the '127 Hours' star a low grade for missing 12 out of 14 classes. 


“The school has bent over backwards to create a Franco-friendly environment, that’s for sure, the university has done everything in its power to curry favour with James Franco.”

Santana is suing the university, claiming that Franco missed many other classes, but that other professors were more lenient with the absent star.

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“In my opinion, they’ve turned the NYU graduate film degree into swag for James Franco’s purposes, a possession, something you can buy,” he said.

He claims the university accepted Franco's lax attitude because of his celebrity status.

Santana has also pointed the finger at John Tintori, head of the graduate film department, who appeared in a cameo role in a film financed by Franco.

Franco is famous for supplementing his work acting Hollywood movies - such as 'Rise of the Planet of the Apes' - with stints as a soap star (in 'General Hospital'), part-time lecturer and installation artist.

NYU spokesman John Beckman said via a statement: "It is regrettable and disappointing to see a faculty member – former or otherwise – discuss any student's grade for the purpose of personal publicity."

Franco has yet to comment.