Jesús Franco

Jesús Franco

Born May 12, 1930 (Age: 95) Madrid, Spain

Biography

Jesús "Jess" Franco was a Spanish film director, writer, cinematographer and actor. His career took off in 1961 with his cult classic The Awful Dr. Orloff, which received wide distribution in the United States and England. Though he had some American box office success with Necronomicon, his first women-in-prison film Ninety-Nine Women, and his two Christopher Lee films, The Bloody Judge and Count Dracula, he never achieved wide commercial success. Franco moved from Spain to France in 1970 so that he could make more violent and sexual films, and it was at this point that his career began to go downhill commercially, as he turned to low-budget filmmaking with a heavier accent on adult-oriented films. Although he produced a few well-received, low budget horror films in the early 70's, many people in the industry considered him a porn director due to the huge number of X-rated adult films he began churning out. Franco returned to low-budget horror in a brief comeback period from 1980-1983, but after 1983, his career took a second downturn. With the exception of Faceless and Killer Barbies, his films after 1984 are quite disliked and obscure due to their incredibly low budgets. Franco has nevertheless retained a large cult following through the years with his sexually-charged horror films, some of which are regarded as masterpieces by his avid followers.
Jesús "Jess" Franco was a Spanish film director, writer, cinematographer and actor. His career took off in 1961 with his cult classic The Awful Dr. Orloff, which received wide distribution in the United States and England. Though he had some American box office success with Necronomicon, his first women-in-prison film Ninety-Nine Women, and his two Christopher Lee films, The Bloody Judge and Count Dracula, he never achieved wide commercial success. Franco moved from Spain to France in 1970 so that he could make more violent and sexual films, and it was at this point that his career began to go downhill commercially, as he turned to low-budget filmmaking with a heavier accent on adult-oriented films. Although he produced a few well-received, low budget horror films in the early 70's, many people in the industry considered him a porn director due to the huge number of X-rated adult films he began churning out. Franco returned to low-budget horror in a brief comeback period from 1980-1983, but after 1983, his career took a second downturn. With the exception of Faceless and Killer Barbies, his films after 1984 are quite disliked and obscure due to their incredibly low budgets. Franco has nevertheless retained a large cult following through the years with his sexually-charged horror films, some of which are regarded as masterpieces by his avid followers.
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Filmography

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Macumba sexual: Voodoo Jess

2010 as Self Age: 80
Idoru

Idoru

2009 as Age: 79
Coffins of Light

Coffins of Light

2009 as himself Age: 78
Ellos robaron la picha de Hitler

Ellos robaron la picha de Hitler

2008 as Padre del Dr. Weissman Age: 78
Jesús Franco, manera de vivir

Jesús Franco, manera de vivir

2007 as Himself Age: 77
Beloved Count

Beloved Count

2007 as Self Age: 76
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Bloody Jess

2007 as Self Age: 76
Jesús in Furs

Jesús in Furs

2005 as Himself Age: 74
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Jess' Women

2005 as self Age: 74
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See you later Cowabunga: La maldición del cenachero diabólico!

2004 as Age: 73
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Perversion Stories

2002 as Self Age: 72
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Antena Criminal: Making a Jess Franco Movie

2002 as Himself Age: 71
Journey into Perversion

Journey into Perversion

2001 as Himself Age: 71
Orson Welles in the Land of Don Quixote

Orson Welles in the Land of Don Quixote

2000 as Self Age: 70
Call Him Jess

Call Him Jess

2000 as Himself Age: 69
El abuelo, la condesa y Escarlata la traviesa

El abuelo, la condesa y Escarlata la traviesa

1992 as Age: 61
Esmeralda Bay

Esmeralda Bay

1989 as Boat Captain Age: 59
Flesh-Eating Mothers

Flesh-Eating Mothers

1988 as Policeman Age: 58
Esa cosa con plumas

Esa cosa con plumas

1988 as Age: 57
Trip to Bangkok, Coffin included

Trip to Bangkok, Coffin included

1985 as Rose Hotel's recepcionist (uncredited) Age: 55
Judoka Shadow versus Doctor Wong

Judoka Shadow versus Doctor Wong

1985 as Dr. Wong Age: 54
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The Bizarre World of Jess Franco

1983 as Self Age: 52
Jailhouse Wardress

Jailhouse Wardress

1981 as Uncle Jess Age: 51
Sadomania

Sadomania

1981 as Lucas Age: 50
Bloody Moon

Bloody Moon

1981 as Doctor (uncredited) Age: 50
Sex Is Crazy

Sex Is Crazy

1981 as Film Director Age: 50
White Cannibal Queen

White Cannibal Queen

1980 as Mr. Martin Age: 50
What a Honeymoon

What a Honeymoon

1980 as Dying Man (uncredited) Age: 49
Sexorcismes

Sexorcismes

1975 as Mathis Vogel Age: 44
Lorna, the Exorcist

Lorna, the Exorcist

1974 as Doctor (uncredited) Age: 44
Celestine

Celestine

1974 as Sleeping Man Age: 44
Night of the Skull

Night of the Skull

1974 as Andy Age: 44
Dolls for Sale

Dolls for Sale

1973 as Age: 43
A Virgin Among the Living Dead

A Virgin Among the Living Dead

1973 as Basilio Age: 43
The Other Side of the Mirror

The Other Side of the Mirror

1973 as Roger (uncredited) Age: 43
Sinner: The Secret Diary of a Nymphomaniac

Sinner: The Secret Diary of a Nymphomaniac

1973 as Inspecteur Hernandez Age: 43
The Erotic Rites of Frankenstein

The Erotic Rites of Frankenstein

1973 as Morpho Age: 43
Eugenie de Sade

Eugenie de Sade

1973 as Attila Tanner Age: 42
The Sinister Eyes of Dr. Orloff

The Sinister Eyes of Dr. Orloff

1973 as Lord Comfort (uncredited) Age: 42
Daughter of Dracula

Daughter of Dracula

1972 as Cyril Jefferson Age: 42
Robinson and His Tempestuous Slaves

Robinson and His Tempestuous Slaves

1972 as Director Age: 42
Vampir Cuadecuc

Vampir Cuadecuc

1972 as Self Age: 41
Your Caresses

Your Caresses

1969 as Age: 39
Venus in Furs

Venus in Furs

1969 as Jazz Musician (uncredited) Age: 39
The Castle of Fu Manchu

The Castle of Fu Manchu

1969 as Insp. Ahmet Age: 39
Marquis de Sade: Justine

Marquis de Sade: Justine

1969 as Age: 38
Two Undercover Angels

Two Undercover Angels

1969 as Napoleon Bolivard Age: 38
Kiss Me Monster

Kiss Me Monster

1969 as Abilene's Contact Man (uncredited) Age: 38
The Girl from Rio

The Girl from Rio

1969 as Guitar Player Age: 38
99 Women

99 Women

1969 as Official (uncredited) Age: 38
Dr. Orloff's Monster

Dr. Orloff's Monster

1965 as Piano Player Age: 35
Strange Voyage

Strange Voyage

1964 as Don Venancio Age: 34
Death Whistles the Blues

Death Whistles the Blues

1964 as Saxofonista en Club de Nueva Orleans (uncredited) Age: 34
The Awful Dr. Orlof

The Awful Dr. Orlof

1962 as Pianist (uncredited) Age: 32
Anna Said Yes

Anna Said Yes

1958 as Pianista (uncredited) Age: 28
Around the World in 80 Days

Around the World in 80 Days

1956 as Extra (uncredited) Age: 26