Dave Franco Responds to Being Compared to Accused Murderer Luigi Mangione

Dave Franco is no stranger to attention, but a recent and bizarre comparison has him in the spotlight for unexpected reasons.

Luigi Mangione gained widespread attention last month following allegations of fatally shooting Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, outside the Hilton hotel on Sixth Avenue in New York City. The incident took place on a cold December morning while Thompson was hosting a conference.

Ever since photos of Mangione surfaced, several people couldn’t help but point out the comparisons to actor Dave Franco.

During an interview with the Hollywood Reporter this past Saturday, Franco mentioned that he has been bombarded with remarks about the resemblance. The 46-year-old acknowledged, “I have never received such an overwhelming amount of text messages about anything in my life. Anyone who has my contact details has reached out regarding this matter.”

Even Franco’s wife, the actress Alison Brie, humorously commented on the peculiar situation, stating that “Everyone” acknowledges the similarity between her spouse and Mangione. The couple, who tied the knot in 2017, were at the event to promote their upcoming horror film, “Thriller.”

While the resemblance between Franco and Mangione has been a lighthearted topic of conversation for the actor, the tragic circumstances surrounding Mangione’s case are anything but.

As The Blast reported, surveillance footage allegedly shows Mangione waiting outside the hotel before shooting Thompson multiple times around 6:45 a.m. Mangione reportedly fled the scene on an e-bike, heading toward Central Park.

Authorities later found a cell phone believed to belong to the suspect behind the hotel. Mangione was arrested on December 9, 2024, at a McDonald’s in Pennsylvania. During his arrest, police discovered a ghost gun, masks, and other evidence linking him to the crime.

According to law enforcement sources, Mangione reportedly harbored a grudge against medical professionals due to dissatisfaction with the treatment his sick relatives received. Additionally, Mangione, who has medical issues of his own, has previously shared an X-ray scan of four pins in his spine on social media.

His Goodreads profile also featured a long reading list about chronic pain, shedding light on his frustrations with the healthcare system.

Chris Rock was one of the many to take aim at the public fascination surrounding the alleged UnitedHealthcare CEO assassin, cracking a provocative joke about how his appearance has shaped the narrative.

“We got Luigi … you know. And that’s good. I really feel sorry for the family,” Rock said during an episode of “Saturday Night Live,” addressing the tragedy. “I mean, everybody is fixated on how good this guy looks. If he looked like Jonah Hill, no one would care. They’d already given him the chair already. He’d be dead, OK?”

Rock’s quip, while cutting, touched on an ongoing debate about the disproportionate attention given to Mangione’s appearance, particularly the comparisons between him and actors like Dave Franco. The alleged killer’s resemblance to Franco, and even his brother James Franco, has been widely discussed on social media and in entertainment circles, leading to unexpected conversations that some critics argue detract from the seriousness of the case.

Jost, known for his sharp comedic timing and quick wit, appeared visibly stunned as the studio audience responded with enthusiastic applause to Mangione’s name. The comedian, who is married to actress Scarlett Johansson, paused briefly, looking around in confusion before addressing the unexpected reaction.

“Yeah… definitely woo,” Jost quipped, clearly unsure of how to interpret the audience’s enthusiasm. Attempting to steer the moment, he jokingly asked, “You’re wooing for justice, right?”

Jost then continued the bit, delivering his punchline: “Luigi Mangione dropped his extradition fight and was flown from Pennsylvania to New York to face multiple charges. In related news, Bumble exploded.”