Franco Baldwin (Roger Howarth)

Robert "Franco" Frank is a fictional character on ABC's daytime drama General Hospital. He has been portrayed by James Franco since November 19, 2009 and has been listed as a special guest star before the opening credits. Franco left the role for a short time on January 11, 2010.

James Franco returned to General Hospital on June 30, 2010. His character was part of a summer-long storyline.

Franco was murdered on January 13, 2011 by Jason Morgan.

Franco is an eccentric and reclusive photographer sociopath, and serial killer. He is a former graffiti artist.

Storylines
Prior to being seen on the show, Franco witnessed Jason, Max Giambetti, and Milo Giambetti disposing of the body of Claudia Zacchara, after she had been killed by her step-son, Michael Corinthos on November 5, 2009. He then sent photos of a re-enactment that he had created of Claudia's murder to Jason.

Franco disguises himself as a homeless vagrant and spray paints his tag, CO77X, on a wall, where Joey Limbo and his crew, who have been hired by Anthony Zacchara to murder Sonny Corinthos and Dante Falconeri. Limbo notices Franco and asks him what he's doing. Franco says nothing but holds out his hand for spare change. Joey throws down some coins which fall to the floor.

On November 19, 2009, Franco, still dressed as a vagrant, witnesses Jason, Max, Milo and Dante engage in a shoot-out with Joey Limbo and his men. Joey and his men get shot and Jason, Max, Milo, and Dante leave. Seeing that Joey is still alive, Franco approaches his body and steps on his neck until Limbo dies. He then repositions his body in an odd figure.

Following the incident, Franco attends the opening for his art exhibit, filled with numerous crime scene re-enactments, which has been organized by Maxie Jones and Kate Howard for Crimson. Maxie is placed in charge of insuring that all Franco's needs are met, which takes a turn for the worse when Franco takes her back to his studio. Later on when the two were alone, Franco blindfolded her, took photographs of her in a chalk outline, and then slept with her.

During the week of December 7, 2009, Franco finally comes face-to-face with Jason Morgan, offering him beer and pretzels, unnerving Jason about how much he idolizes how he murders people, calling it art, telling Jason they are the same. Franco is less than thrilled with Jason's lack of respect for Franco and his work. Jason leaves after Franco tells him he saw Michael kill Claudia. Once Jason has left, Franco decides to send Jason another message to let him know he's serious. On December 14, Spinelli goes over to Franco's to confront him about his sleeping with his then-girlfriend, Maxie. Franco tells Spinelli to tell his "Stone Cold" he's not through with him yet.

On December 15, Maxie and Lulu break into Franco's apartment to look for photos of Maxie to dispose of them, and they run into Franco's agent Gillian Carlyle, who informs the two young ladies that Franco's back in Paris. On December 18, Franco is in an alley when he is approached by Dante's cop partner Ronnie Dimestico; it is then revealed that the two have been working together for quite a long time, after Ronnie leaves, he is run over by a dark car driven by Franco, and Lulu rushes him to the hospital. Lulu encounters Franco in Ronnie's room after Franco told Ronnie to give Jason Morgan a message. He then exits, and soon after Jason and Dante arrive. Ronnie, hooked up on a ventilator, gives Jason the message, and CO77X is seen spray painted in Ronnie's hospital room. During the week of December 28 Franco kidnaps Jason's girlfriend Sam McCall and his best friend Carly Corinthos. Franco waits for Jason to come and try to rescue them. Carly manages to escape, however. On January 6, 2010 Franco goes to Crimson to get Maxie for a game with Jason where he would have to choose between Sam and Maxie, but she is not there, so he kidnaps Lulu. Both Sam and Lulu are strapped to bombs. Jason rescues Sam and Dante rescues Lulu. Franco soon leaves town after leaving Jason a video message.

While Jason is in prison to protect his nephhew Michael, he kills a man, Carter, who has been tormenting Michael. As Carter loses consciousness, he tells Jason that Franco says "hi."

On July 1, 2010, Franco is seen as a homeless person who is holding up a sign saying, "Will entertain for money." Diane Miller comes across him and says she left her purse at home when Franco asks her to for some change. So instead he pulls out a little toy monkey to entertain her and tells her he hopes to get a real one someday as she hands him twenty dollars that she had in her briefcase and a stick of gum. After she leaves, Franco gets up and spray paints his tag on a crate. When Jason goes home, Franco follows him to Harbor View Towers. The next day, while Maxie is alone talking on the phone, Franco steps out of the elevator and hands her six red roses.

When Dante and Jason visit Franco's mother, Karen Anderson, she tells them that she doesn't have a son.

Jason and Dante later head to Los Angeles, where Franco is preparing a large exhibit at the MoCA based on his exploits in Port Charles. While searching for Franco, the pair discover a DVD revealing that Franco had paid Carter off to attack Michael in order to play mind games with Jason. Jason chases Franco to the top of a building, which Franco seemingly jumps off of. It is later revealed that it wasn't Franco and that he simply faked his death.

It is revealed that Franco took Aiden Cassadine to give to his mother to raise as the son that she always wanted. Lucky Spencer later reclaims the child without incident or reprisal from Franco.

Franco is mentioned when his agent attempts to ask international model Brenda Barrett to pose for a few pictures. Knowing of Franco's history as a serial killer, Brenda turns down the offer, refusing to glorify violence for money.

Franco is seen in February 2011, when Brenda Barrett's limo explodes. He asks Jason if he "liked the fireworks."

Now Franco is back and is watching Jason and Sam's wedding.

Crimes Committed

 * Serial killer [2000's]
 * Killed Joey Limbo after a mod shoot out [Nov 2009]
 * Stalked Jason Morgan [Now-Dec 2009]
 * Suspected of hitting a cop Ronnie Dimestico witha car. [Dec 2009]
 * Kidnapped Carly Jacks [Jan 2010]
 * Kidnapped Sam McCall [Jan 2010]
 * Kidnapped Lulu Spencer [Jan 2010]
 * Blew up two warehouses [Jan 2010]
 * Orchestrated the rape of Michael Corinthos III [May 21, 2010]
 * Kidnapped Elizabeth Webber's newborn son Aiden [Jul 21, 2010]
 * Held a woman at gunpoint during "Francophrenia" [Jul 23, 2010]
 * Strangled a videographer during "Francophrenia" [Jul 23, 2010]
 * Followed and Stalked Jason and Sam to Hawaii [October 2011]
 * Raped Sam [November 2011]