Jesús Franco
Known For: Directing
Gender: Male
Date of Birth: May 12, 1930
Day of Death: April 2, 2013 (83 years old)
Place of Birth: Madrid, Spain
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.
2024
2021
2019
2017
2015
2014
2013
Actor The Director
Al Pereira vs. the Alligator Ladies
Actor Self
La última película de Jess Franco
Actor Self
The Rhythm of Jess
Actor Voz
Los profundos sueños de Jennifer
Actor Himself
Revenge of the Alligator Ladies
Director
Al Pereira vs. the Alligator Ladies
Writer
Al Pereira vs. the Alligator Ladies
Director
Revenge of the Alligator Ladies
Writer
Revenge of the Alligator Ladies
Producer
Al Pereira vs. the Alligator Ladies
Music
Al Pereira vs. the Alligator Ladies
Editor
Al Pereira vs. the Alligator Ladies
2012
Actor
La cripta de las condenadas
Actor Himself
Debris Documentar
Actor Self
Tío Jess
Director
La cripta de las condenadas
Director
La cripta de las condenadas: Parte II
Writer
La cripta de las condenadas
Producer
La cripta de las condenadas
Editor
La cripta de las condenadas
Writer
La cripta de las condenadas: Parte II
Producer
La cripta de las condenadas: Parte II
Editor
La cripta de las condenadas: Parte II
Original Music Composer
La cripta de las condenadas
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999
Actor The Merchant
Vampire Blues
Actor Dr. James Wong
Dr. Wong's Virtual Hell
Director
Vampire Blues
Screenplay
Vampire Blues
Original Music Composer
Vampire Blues
Writer
Dr. Wong's Virtual Hell
Director
Dr. Wong's Virtual Hell
Original Music Composer
Dr. Wong's Virtual Hell
Director
Broken Dolls
Screenplay
Red Silk
Director
Red Silk
Writer
Broken Dolls
1998
Director
Lust for Frankenstein
Screenplay
Lust for Frankenstein
Producer
Lust for Frankenstein
Music
Lust for Frankenstein
Director
Mari-Cookie and the Killer Tarantula
Screenplay
Mari-Cookie and the Killer Tarantula
Original Music Composer
Mari-Cookie and the Killer Tarantula
Producer
Mari-Cookie and the Killer Tarantula
1997
1996
1994
1993
1992
Actor
El abuelo, la condesa y Escarlata la traviesa
Editor
Don Quixote
Director
El abuelo, la condesa y Escarlata la traviesa
Screenplay
El abuelo, la condesa y Escarlata la traviesa
Original Music Composer
El abuelo, la condesa y Escarlata la traviesa
Editor
El abuelo, la condesa y Escarlata la traviesa
Dialogue
Don Quixote
Supervising Film Editor
Don Quixote
1991
1989
1988
1987
Director
Falo Crest
Writer
Falo Crest
Cinematography
Falo Crest
Director
Thong Girls
Writer
Thong Girls
Screenplay
Thong Girls
Editor
Thong Girls
Director
Phollastía
Story
Phollastía
Director
Slave of Crime
Screenplay
Slave of Crime
Original Music Composer
Slave of Crime
Editor
Slave of Crime
Director of Photography
Phollastía
Costumer
¡Biba la banda!
1986
Actor Professor Karame
Girl with the Red Lips
Director
Alone Against Terror
Screenplay
Alone Against Terror
Original Music Composer
Alone Against Terror
Director
Golden Temple Amazons
Producer
Golden Temple Amazons
Director
Lulu's Talking Ass
Story
Lulu's Talking Ass
Screenplay
Lulu's Talking Ass
Original Music Composer
Lulu's Talking Ass
Director
Bragueta historia
Director
The Voyeur and the Exhibitionist
Writer
The Voyeur and the Exhibitionist
Director
The Last from Philippines
Producer
The Last from Philippines
Director of Photography
The Last from Philippines
Editor
The Last from Philippines
Director
Girl with the Red Lips
Screenplay
Girl with the Red Lips
Original Music Composer
Girl with the Red Lips
Director of Photography
Girl with the Red Lips
Original Music Composer
Para las nenas, leche calentita
Director
Entre pitos anda el juego
Screenplay
Entre pitos anda el juego
Original Music Composer
Entre pitos anda el juego
Director
Para las nenas, leche calentita
Screenplay
Para las nenas, leche calentita
Director
Sida, la peste del siglo XX
Screenplay
Sida, la peste del siglo XX
Editor
Sida, la peste del siglo XX
Director
Orgasmo perverso
Story
The Last from Philippines
Story
Para las nenas, leche calentita
Writer
Orgasmo perverso
Director of Photography
Orgasmo perverso
Original Music Composer
Orgasmo perverso
1985
Actor Dr. Wong
Judoka Shadow versus Doctor Wong
Director
Angel of Death
Screenplay
Angel of Death
Director
White Jungle Slave
Director
Judoka Shadow versus Doctor Wong
Director
Dirty Game in Casablanca
Director
Bangkok, City of the Dead
Screenplay
Bangkok, City of the Dead
Original Music Composer
Bangkok, City of the Dead
Editor
Bangkok, City of the Dead
Screenplay
Judoka Shadow versus Doctor Wong
Original Music Composer
Judoka Shadow versus Doctor Wong
Director
Trip to Bangkok, Coffin included
Screenplay
Trip to Bangkok, Coffin included
Producer
Trip to Bangkok, Coffin included
Music
Trip to Bangkok, Coffin included
Producer
Dirty Game in Casablanca
Music
White Jungle Slave
Director
Un pito para tres
Screenplay
Un pito para tres
Story
Un pito para tres
Editor
Un pito para tres
1984
Actor Manolo
The Sinister Doctor Orloff
Actor Tom
A Crack for Two
Actor Psychiatrist (uncredited)
Night Has a Thousand Desires
Actor Doctor Callman
Camino solitario
Actor The Miseries (uncredited)
Bahia Blanca
Actor Bernardo
Lilian, the Perverted Virgin
Director
The Sinister Doctor Orloff
Screenplay
The Sinister Doctor Orloff
Music
The Sinister Doctor Orloff
Director
The Sexual Story of O
Screenplay
The Sexual Story of O
Producer
The Sexual Story of O
Editor
The Sexual Story of O
Director
Lilian, the Perverted Virgin
Director
Night Has a Thousand Desires
Writer
Night Has a Thousand Desires
Writer
Bahia Blanca
Director
A Crack for Two
Screenplay
A Crack for Two
Director
Camino solitario
Director
How Much for a Spy?
Writer
How Much for a Spy?
Producer
How Much for a Spy?
Writer
Camino solitario
Director of Photography
Camino solitario
Music
Night Has a Thousand Desires
Director of Photography
Night Has a Thousand Desires
Screenplay
Bahia Blanca
Story
Bahia Blanca
Producer
Bahia Blanca
Director
Bahia Blanca
Original Music Composer
A Crack for Two
Screenplay
Lilian, the Perverted Virgin
Editor
Lilian, the Perverted Virgin
1983
Actor Recepcionist
Macumba Sexual
Actor Abductor
Blood on My Shoes
Actor Sam Chesterfield
The Blues of Pop Street
Actor Blind Old Man
En busca del dragón dorado
Actor Count
The Night Of Open Sex
Actor Matón en cementerio de coches (voice) (uncredited)
Black Boots, Leather Whip
Director
Revenge in the House of Usher
Screenplay
Revenge in the House of Usher
Producer
Revenge in the House of Usher
Original Music Composer
Revenge in the House of Usher
Editor
Black Boots, Leather Whip
Director
Diamonds of Kilimandjaro
Screenplay
Diamonds of Kilimandjaro
Producer
Diamonds of Kilimandjaro
Director of Photography
Diamonds of Kilimandjaro
Original Music Composer
Diamonds of Kilimandjaro
Director
Cries of Pleasure
Writer
Cries of Pleasure
Editor
Cries of Pleasure
Art Direction
Cries of Pleasure
Director
Macumba Sexual
Director
Cecilia
Screenplay
Macumba Sexual
Director
Voces de muerte
Screenplay
Voces de muerte
Director
Blood on My Shoes
Screenplay
Blood on My Shoes
Original Music Composer
Blood on My Shoes
Director
The Blues of Pop Street
Screenplay
The Blues of Pop Street
Director of Photography
The Blues of Pop Street
Original Music Composer
The Blues of Pop Street
Director
En busca del dragón dorado
Screenplay
En busca del dragón dorado
Original Music Composer
En busca del dragón dorado
Editor
En busca del dragón dorado
Director
The House of Lost Women
Screenplay
The House of Lost Women
Editor
The House of Lost Women
Director
The Hotel of Love Affairs
Screenplay
The Hotel of Love Affairs
Original Music Composer
The Hotel of Love Affairs
Editor
The Hotel of Love Affairs
Director
Black Boots, Leather Whip
Writer
Cecilia
Producer
Cecilia
Director
Intimate Confessions of an Exhibitionist
Music
Intimate Confessions of an Exhibitionist
Director
The Night Of Open Sex
Novel
The Night Of Open Sex
Adaptation
The Night Of Open Sex
Writer
Black Boots, Leather Whip
Music
Black Boots, Leather Whip
Music
The Night Of Open Sex
Director of Photography
The Night Of Open Sex
Story
Macumba Sexual
Music
Macumba Sexual
Director of Photography
Macumba Sexual
1982
Screenplay
Mansion of the Living Dead
Director of Photography
Mansion of the Living Dead
Director
Mansion of the Living Dead
Editor
Mansion of the Living Dead
Original Music Composer
Mansion of the Living Dead
Novel
Mansion of the Living Dead
Director
El lago de las vírgenes
Writer
El lago de las vírgenes
Editor
El lago de las vírgenes
Original Music Composer
El lago de las vírgenes
Director
Emmanuelle Exposed
Screenplay
Emmanuelle Exposed
Editor
Emmanuelle Exposed
Director
Oasis of the Zombies
Screenplay
Oasis of the Zombies
Original Music Composer
Oasis of the Zombies
Editor
Oasis of the Zombies
Director
El huésped de la niebla
Director of Photography
El huésped de la niebla
Original Music Composer
El huésped de la niebla
1981
Actor Uncle Jess
Jailhouse Wardress
Actor Film Director
Sex Is Crazy
Actor Lucas
Sadomania
Actor Doctor (uncredited)
Bloody Moon
Writer
Zombie Lake
Director
Jailhouse Wardress
Director
Sex Is Crazy
Screenplay
Sex Is Crazy
Original Music Composer
Sex Is Crazy
Director
Bloody Moon
Director
The Story of Linda
Director
Sadomania
Screenplay
Sadomania
Director
The Girls of the Copacabana
Screenplay
The Girls of the Copacabana
Story
The Girls of the Copacabana
Director
Sexual Perversions of a Married Woman
Writer
Sexual Perversions of a Married Woman
Music
Sexual Perversions of a Married Woman
Director
Pick-Up Girls
Screenplay
Pick-Up Girls
Original Music Composer
Pick-Up Girls
Editor
Pick-Up Girls
Music
Sadomania
Editor
Sadomania
1980
Actor Mr. Martin
White Cannibal Queen
Actor Dying Man (uncredited)
What a Honeymoon
Director
Erotic Symphony
Writer
Erotic Symphony
Director
Devil Hunter
Director
White Cannibal Queen
Director
Two Female Spies with Flowered Panties
Director
Wicked Memoirs of Eugenie
Writer
Wicked Memoirs of Eugenie
Screenplay
Two Female Spies with Flowered Panties
Writer
White Cannibal Queen
Story
Two Female Spies with Flowered Panties
Screenplay
Devil Hunter
Original Music Composer
Devil Hunter
Writer
Cannibal Terror
Original Music Composer
Two Female Spies with Flowered Panties
Director
What a Honeymoon
Screenplay
What a Honeymoon
Original Music Composer
What a Honeymoon
1979
Actor Mathis Vogel
The Sadist of Notre Dame
Actor Strange Guy
Justine and the Whip
Director
They Do Everything
Director
The Sadist of Notre Dame
Writer
The Sadist of Notre Dame
Director
Burning Up Inside
Writer
Burning Up Inside
Director
Justine and the Whip
Cinematography
Justine and the Whip
Writer
Justine and the Whip
Writer
They Do Everything
1978
1977
Actor Marcel
Kiss Me Killer
Actor Radeck's Assistant
Slaves
Actor Dr. Milton Arcos (as Jess Franco)
Greta, the Mad Butcher
Director
Kiss Me Killer
Writer
Kiss Me Killer
Director
Greta, the Mad Butcher
Writer
Greta, the Mad Butcher
Director
Call of the Blonde Goddess
Director
Love Letters of a Portuguese Nun
Director
Love Camp
Director
Blue Rita
Director
Sexy Sisters
Director
Slaves
Director
In 80 Betten um die Welt
Writer
Call of the Blonde Goddess
Writer
Blue Rita
1976
Actor Maria's Father (uncredited)
Barbed Wire Dolls
Actor Janos Radeck
Midnight Party
Actor
Les emmerdeuses
Actor Dr. Seward
Shining Sex
Actor
Ladies House of Pleasure
Actor Graf Anastasio
White Skin Black Thighs
Director
Barbed Wire Dolls
Writer
Barbed Wire Dolls
Director of Photography
Barbed Wire Dolls
Director
Jack the Ripper
Screenplay
Jack the Ripper
Director
Midnight Party
Writer
Midnight Party
Director
Doriana Gray
Director
Silence of the Grave
Director
Girls in the Night Traffic
Director
White Skin Black Thighs
Screenplay
White Skin Black Thighs
Director of Photography
White Skin Black Thighs
Screenplay
Silence of the Grave
Producer
Silence of the Grave
Director
Golden Jail
Director
Les emmerdeuses
Screenplay
Les emmerdeuses
Director
Shining Sex
Writer
Doriana Gray
1975
Actor Al Pereira
Downtown
Actor Bill
Women Behind Bars
Actor Mathis Vogel, aka Laforgue (as Jess Frank)
Exorcism
Actor Dr. Roberts (as Jess Franck)
The Hot Nights of Linda
Actor
Demoniac
Director
Sexy Erotic Job
Director
Downtown
Director
Women Behind Bars
Director
Exorcism
Director
The Perverse Countess
Writer
The Perverse Countess
Director
The Hot Nights of Linda
Screenplay
The Hot Nights of Linda
Story
The Hot Nights of Linda
Writer
Downtown
Director of Photography
Women Behind Bars
Editor
Women Behind Bars
Director
Les chatouilleuses
Story
Les chatouilleuses
Screenplay
Exorcism
Director of Photography
Downtown
Director
Demoniac
Writer
Demoniac
1974
Actor Andy
Night of the Skull
Actor Sleeping Man
Celestine
Director
Night of the Skull
Writer
Night of the Skull
Director
Les Gloutonnes
Screenplay
Les Gloutonnes
Director
Lorna, the Exorcist
Writer
Lorna, the Exorcist
Director
How to Seduce a Virgin
Writer
How to Seduce a Virgin
Director
Celestine
Writer
Celestine
Screenplay
The House of the Lost Dolls
Director
Fifteen Year Old Captain
Director
The Lustful Amazons
Screenplay
The Lustful Amazons
Writer
Fifteen Year Old Captain
Music
Fifteen Year Old Captain
Director of Photography
Celestine
1973
Actor Morpho
The Erotic Rites of Frankenstein
Actor Attila Tanner
Eugenie de Sade
Actor Dr. Roberts
Female Vampire
Actor Inspecteur Hernandez
Sinner: The Secret Diary of a Nymphomaniac
Actor
Dolls for Sale
Actor Lord Comfort (uncredited)
The Sinister Eyes of Dr. Orloff
Actor
El misterio del castillo rojo
Actor Basilio
A Virgin Among the Living Dead
Director
The Erotic Rites of Frankenstein
Screenplay
The Erotic Rites of Frankenstein
Director
Eugenie de Sade
Writer
Eugenie de Sade
Director
Female Vampire
Writer
Female Vampire
Director of Photography
Female Vampire
Editor
Female Vampire
Director
A Virgin Among the Living Dead
Writer
A Virgin Among the Living Dead
Director
The Sinister Eyes of Dr. Orloff
Director
Lovers of Devil's Island
Screenplay
Lovers of Devil's Island
Story
Lovers of Devil's Island
Director
The Demons
Writer
The Demons
Director
The Other Side of the Mirror
Screenplay
The Other Side of the Mirror
Director
Sinner: The Secret Diary of a Nymphomaniac
Director
Tender and Perverse Emmanuelle
Scenario Writer
Sinner: The Secret Diary of a Nymphomaniac
Story
The Erotic Rites of Frankenstein
Director
Dolls for Sale
Screenplay
The Sinister Eyes of Dr. Orloff
Writer
Tender and Perverse Emmanuelle
Director
El misterio del castillo rojo
1972
Actor Gonzales
The Corpse Packs His Bags
Actor Crosby / Drunk Man in Nightclub
The Vengeance of Dr. Mabuse
Actor Director
Robinson and His Tempestuous Slaves
Actor Self
Vampir Cuadecuc
Actor Cyril Jefferson
Daughter of Dracula
Director
Dracula, Prisoner of Frankenstein
Story
Dracula, Prisoner of Frankenstein
Screenplay
Dracula, Prisoner of Frankenstein
Director
The Corpse Packs His Bags
Screenplay
The Corpse Packs His Bags
Director
The Vengeance of Dr. Mabuse
Screenplay
The Vengeance of Dr. Mabuse
Original Music Composer
The Vengeance of Dr. Mabuse
Director
Virgin Report
Director
Daughter of Dracula
Director
Robinson and His Tempestuous Slaves
Director
Sex Charade
Screenplay
Sex Charade
Writer
Daughter of Dracula
1971
Actor Tino Celli
The Devil Came from Akasava
Actor Dr. Donen
She Killed in Ecstasy
Actor Memmet
Vampyros Lesbos
Actor Man at John Somers'
X312 - Flight to Hell
Director
The Devil Came from Akasava
Director
She Killed in Ecstasy
Writer
She Killed in Ecstasy
Director
Vampyros Lesbos
Screenplay
Vampyros Lesbos
Original Music Composer
Vampyros Lesbos
Director
X312 - Flight to Hell
Screenplay
X312 - Flight to Hell
Special Effects Makeup Artist
Vampyros Lesbos
1970
Actor Van Helsing's servant (uncredited)
Count Dracula
Actor Man in Red Ritual Scene (uncredited)
Eugenie
Director
Count Dracula
Director
The Bloody Judge
Adaptation
The Bloody Judge
Director
Eugenie
Director
Nightmares Come at Night
Writer
Nightmares Come at Night
Director
Juliette
Screenplay
Count Dracula
Music
Cuadrilátero
1969
Actor Insp. Ahmet
The Castle of Fu Manchu
Actor Jazz Musician (uncredited)
Venus in Furs
Actor Guitar Player
The Girl from Rio
Actor
Marquis de Sade: Justine
Actor Abilene's Contact Man
Kiss Me Monster
Actor
Your Caresses
Actor Napoleon Bolivard
Two Undercover Angels
Actor Official (uncredited)
99 Women
Director
The Castle of Fu Manchu
Story
99 Women
Director
99 Women
Screenplay
99 Women
Director
Venus in Furs
Writer
Venus in Furs
Director
The Girl from Rio
Director
Marquis de Sade: Justine
Director
Two Undercover Angels
Screenplay
Two Undercover Angels
Director
Kiss Me Monster
Idea
Kiss Me Monster
Screenplay
Kiss Me Monster
Story
Venus in Furs
1968
1967
1966
Actor Inspector Tanner
The Diabolical Dr. Z
Actor Piano Player
Attack of the Robots
Actor Pianist (uncredited)
Attack of the Robots
Actor Casino Piano Player (uncredited)
Residence for Spies
Director
Attack of the Robots
Director
The Diabolical Dr. Z
Screenplay
The Diabolical Dr. Z
Director
Residence for Spies
Screenplay
Attack of the Robots
Writer
Residence for Spies
1965
1964
Actor Piano Player
Dr. Orloff's Monster
Actor Don Venancio
Strange Voyage
Actor Saxofonista en Club de Nueva Orleans (uncredited)
Death Whistles the Blues
Director
Dr. Orloff's Monster
Screenplay
Dr. Orloff's Monster
Dialogue
Dr. Orloff's Monster
Director
Death Whistles the Blues
Director
Rififi in the City
Screenplay
Death Whistles the Blues
Writer
Rififi in the City
1963
1962
Actor Pianist (uncredited)
The Awful Dr. Orlof
Director
The Awful Dr. Orlof
Story
The Awful Dr. Orlof
Director
The Sadistic Baron Von Klaus
Director
Vampiresas 1930
Screenplay
Vampiresas 1930
Screenplay
The Sadistic Baron Von Klaus
Story
The Sadistic Baron Von Klaus
Screenplay
Zorro the Avenger
Story
Zorro the Avenger
Screenplay
The Awful Dr. Orlof
