Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Arts & Entertainment
James Franco Carved Brad Renfro's Name Into His Flesh With A Switchblade
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Jun 10, 2012
Modified Jun 29, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Gothamist
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Jun 10, 2012
Modified Jun 29, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Looking like a disheveled, leatherbound, lower case "c," James Franco slouched in his seat and attempted to explain how acting could be so soul-draining. "It's such a strange profession," Franco paused, his eyes never meeting the audience or his questioner, artist Laurel Nakadate. "You put everything into your performance, to being someone else, and then ultimately you can be used up and thrown away." This idea of the impermanence of performance relating to the impermanence of life in part inspired Franco to have his friend and fellow actor, Brad Renfro's name carved into his arm with a switchblade.
Franco was at the New Museum yesterday to screen a short film about his carving, "Brad." The deed itself was performed by a tattoo artist with a grey pompadour and a piercing gaze in Renfro's former home, and is interspersed with impressions of Renfro given by his friends. Renfro, who died in 2008 of a heroin overdose at the age of 25, was in two films with Franco, one of which was the 2002 picture Deuces Wild.
"Every young actor I knew was excited about that script," Franco says in the film. "But it turned out to be awful." That so many promising actors could be in such a dismal film was proof in Franco's eyes of his and Renfro's ultimate lack of agency. "It was one of those things where everyone's expectations were so high, but as an actor—it's out of your hands."
Franco speaking with Nakadate (Gothamist)
Recently Franco is known (and ridiculed) for his wide-ranging interests and the frenetic pace at which he works. Yet the only hint of hucksterish, dilettantism came with the obligatory pitch for the switchblades themselves ($850 on artspace.com). If Franco seemed morose and overly earnest, it was because he could be. His artist's statement was literally carved in his own flesh and bore the name of someone he admired and respected who had died a senseless death.
"I just wanted to do something for Brad," Franco said, noting several times that the Oscars failed to honor the actor during the broadcast that year, while Heath Ledger's memory was enshrined. During the Q&A, one man tied this to Franco's performance co-hosting the ceremony, asking him for a reaction to the criticism. The actor humored him, but not before staring at the ground and delivering a gentle rebuke. "The Oscars? That, I just feel like that's a whole—a different, separate issue."
Tagged
art
brad renfro
james franco
new museum
original
Christopher Robbins
Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE arts-entertainment
NYC music in October: The Strokes, a Blink-182 cover band, and Polish experimentalism
An excellent and diverse month of concerts are in store for October.
By
Hank Shteamer
Published Oct 2, 2026
Are you a New Yorker? The Department of New Yorker Verification will now decide.
There is now an (un)official verification process for those who can claim the title of city resident.
By
Hannah Frishberg
Arts & Entertainment
Are you a New Yorker? The Department of New Yorker Verification will now decide.
There is now an (un)official verification process for those who can claim the title of city resident.
By
Hannah Frishberg
In the mood for a pastoral autumn experience? Try Queens.
By
Elizabeth Shwe
and
James Ramsay
October is spooky season at the movies in New York City
By
Emma Stefansky
At the Museum at FIT, an argument for dolls as the ultimate fashion influencers
By
Quinn Moreland
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .