James Franco’s mural scrubbed from school
Principal directed workers to paint over the painting in light of misconduct allegations
A mural painted at Palo Alto High School by celebrity alumnus James Franco — a frequent guest on campus — was ordered painted over by school and district officials as the actor and Golden Globe winner battles allegations of sexual misconduct in Hollywood.
Other artwork that Franco donated to his alma mater in 2014 will be “transitioned” off campus, according to a statement issued Thursday by the Palo Alto Unified School District.
Without acknowledging the sexual harassment scandal, the district said the removal of the artwork was in the “best interests of our students in the light of our educational mission.”
Erasing the works and donations of Paly High’s most famous graduate came after pressure from parents as well as controversy on campus. It is also the latest sign of the enduring power of the #metoo movement, which has toppled numerous entertain-
ment, media and business figures since actresses came out against Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein late last year.
According to the campus paper, Paly Voice, Principal Kim Diorio seemed conflicted last week about whether the artwork should be removed from campus.
“These are still allegations,” Diorio told the paper. “I can’t even say it (the decision to replace the mural) is based on fact because he’s denied those allegations and hasn’t been charged with a crime.”
Still, she said, “I made the decision we’ll take down themural on the Student Center because I think that’s the one that’s most visible to the outside community.”
Five women accused Franco of sexually inappropriate, exploitative behavior just days after he appeared at the Golden Globes wearing a Times Up pin, signifying his support for a new initiative to combat sexual misconduct and gender inequality in Hollywood. Some of his accusers, who were students in his acting classes in Southern California, described gratuitous nude and simulated sex scenes during workshops.
Franco has denied the allegations ofmisconduct, including one from a 23-yearold woman he had been dating.
“The things that I heard were on Twitter are not accurate, but I completely support people coming out and being able to have a voice because they didn’t have a voice for so long,” Franco told late-night host Stephen Colbert last month.
Franco has been a devoted alumnus to Paly High, teaching a film workshop and screening amovie there in recent years. Last fall, he honored his favorite Paly High journalism teacher, Esther Wojcicki.
“You gave all the agency and control to the students,” Franco said in a taped interview for a nonprofit that celebrates teacher accomplishments. “Thank you. You’re my hero.”
In the district statement Thursday, Interim Superintendent Karen Hendricks downplayed the significance of the artwork removal, saying that while the school appreciated Franco’s donation, “the artwork was intended to be temporary in nature and would be respectfully returned or painted over at some point.”
One mural was removed in 2016, she said, and artwork in the library was taken down last summer during a renovation.
Ideas for a new mural to replace it with something that celebrates campus diversity are underway by the district’s Latinos Unidos group and the campus Associated Students, she said.
The allegations against Franco surfaced just days after he was awarded a Golden Globe for best actor in “The Disaster Artist.” When nominations for the Oscars followed, Franco was not on the list.