Dave Franco Reacts To Comparisons With Alleged CEO Killer Luigi Mangione

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

Luigi Mangionemade headlines last month when he was accused of fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside the Hilton hotel on Sixth Avenue in New York City. The attack occurred on a chilly December morning as 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.

The actor revealed at the Sundance Film Festival that his friends have been pointing out his uncanny resemblance to Luigi Mangione, the man accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

Speaking to the Hollywood Reporter on Saturday, Franco admitted he’s been inundated with comments about the similarity. “I have never received more texts in my life about anything,” the 46-year-old said. “Anyone who has my phone number has reached out about it.”

Even Franco’s wife, actress Alison Brie, chimed in on the odd phenomenon, joking, “Everyone” sees the resemblance between her husband and Mangione. The couple, who married in 2017, were attending the festival 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.

"Saturday Night Live" host Colin Jost had an unexpected moment during the December 21 episode’s "Weekend Update" segment when the audience erupted in cheers at the mention of Luigi Mangione.

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.”