Dayton Daily News

Amid scandal, actor expected at SAG Awards

Five women state claims against James Franco.

- By Peter Sblendorio

James Franco is reportedly expected to go to the SAG Awards this weekend, marking his first award show appearance since five women came forward to accuse him of inappropri­ate sexual behavior.

The actor did not attend the Critics’ Choice Awards last week, where he won best actor in a comedy.

“James will still attend the SAG Awards because there is no reason not to,” an insider told Entertainm­ent Tonight. “He will carry on supporting the cause and moving forward.”

Franco, 39, attended the Golden Globes on Jan. 7, when he took home the award for best actor in a comedy or musical for his biopic about Tommy Wiseau. He posed for photos on the red carpet wearing a Time’s Up pin, which many wore to garner attention for a new anti-harassment initiative started by hundreds of women in Hollywood.

Five women came forward with their claims against the actor in a report published by the Los Angeles Times later that week. One accuser, Violet Paley, claims she was in a romantic relationsh­ip with Franco when he exposed himself and pressed her for oral sex.

An attorney for Franco has denied each of the allegation­s made in the L.A. Times article.

Franco said those allegation­s weren’t accurate on both “The Late Show” with Stephen Colbert and “Late Night” with Seth Meyers.

The accusation­s have reportedly left Franco in a bad place.

“His friends are really worried about him,” a source told Entertainm­ent Tonight. “He’s not in a good place. They’re watching him around the clock. He’s really struggling.”

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James Franco

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