Actor James Franco seeks Ph.D. in Houston

[April 22, 2011]  HOUSTON (AP) -- James Franco has won a spot in a University of Houston creative writing program.

The university confirms that the actor nominated for the 2010 Academy Award for best actor in "127 Hours" has been accepted for the school's doctoral program in literature and creative writing. Creative writing program director James Kastely tells the Houston Chronicle that Franco plans to enroll in September 2012.

Franco publicist Robin Baum did not respond to telephone and email messages left by The Associated Press on Thursday.

Kastely says 20 students are chosen from about 400 applicants each year.

The 33-year-old actor co-hosted the 83rd Academy Awards with actress Anne Hathaway in February. He also has been studying in a doctoral program in English at Yale University.

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Information from: Houston Chronicle, http://www.houstonchronicle.com/

[Associated Press]

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