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James Franco is an American actor, director, screenwriter, producer, teacher, author and poet, according to the stirring first line of his Wikipedia page.

He is also 36 years old today, born one day before what would have been the most appropriate celebrity birthday ever. Just missed 4/20, man. So close.

When he’s not making out with Seth Rogen, trying to pick up underage girls on Instagram or calling N.Y. Times critics bitches, he does actual work, and lots of it.

He’s as educated and versatile as he is talented, awkward and hilarious, making for a rare combination in today’s often banal, celebrity-obsessed culture.

It’s hard not to think foundly of the guy. Check out the photo gallery below as we pay tribute to some of our favorite pics of Franco and the many reasons we love him …