Francis Elliott Kranz is an American actor and film director. He is known for his portrayal of Topher Brink in the Fox science fiction drama series Dollhouse. Kranz had prominent roles in the films The Cabin in the Woods and Much Ado About Nothing. In 2012, he played Bernard in Death of a Salesman, beginning a career on Broadway that continued with 2014's You Can't Take It with You.

Kranz made his feature directorial debut with Mass (2021), which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival to critical acclaim. From 2022 to 2023, he was a regular cast member in the Max series Julia.

Personal life Kranz was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. He started acting in third and fourth grade, and knew from a very young age that he wanted to become an actor. Kranz graduated from Harvard-Westlake School in 2000 and from Yale University in 2004, where he was a member of the improv comedy group The Ex!t Players.

In 2015, Kranz married actress Spencer Margaret Richmond, daughter of Charlie's Angels actress Jaclyn Smith and filmmaker Tony Richmond. In 2016, their daughter was born. On July 6, 2020, she filed for divorce.

Filmography

Film Year Title Role Notes 2001 Donnie Darko Frank's Friend Training Day College Driver 2002 Orange County Shane Brainard 2003 Matchstick Men Slacker Boyfriend Swordswallowers and Thin Men Adrian 2004 The Village Christop Crane Admissions James Parks 2005 HitchCoca Cola GuyUncredited 2006 Bickford Shmeckler's Cool Ideas Ralph The Night of the White Pants Millian Hagan The TV Set Zach Harper Whirlygirl Freddie 2007 Careless Mitch Rise: Blood Hunter Alex 2008 Wieners Joel Shades of Ray Sal Garfinkle Last Meal Noah Short film 2009 Homeland Arne My Two Fans Thad 2010 Don't Fade Away Ben 2011 Diary of A Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules Bill Walter The Cabin in the Woods Marty The Five Stages of Grief Daniel Short film 2012 Much Ado About Nothing Claudio It's Not You, It's Me Jack Short film Putzel Salmon Guy 2013 Seasick Sailor Wormy Guy Short film2014 Lust for Love Astor Before I Disappear Darren Murder of a Cat Clinton Last Weekend Sean Oakes The Living Teddy Seven Lovers Brian 2015 Bloodsucking Bastards Evan The Truth About Lies Gilby Smalls Mojave Bob 2016 Rebirth Kyle 2017 A Happening of Monumental ProportionsMr. Rolf A Midsummer Night's Dream Bottom Also producer The Dark Tower Pimli 2018 You Might Be the Killer Sam 2019 Fanboy Jeremiah Brennan Short film Jungleland Buck Noble 2021 Mass — Director, writer, and producer2022SilkShort SolShort film 2024They WhisperSilasHalf LivesLuke

Television Year Title Role Notes 1998 Frasier Aaron Episode: "Good Grief" 2007 Untitled Christine Taylor Project Brian TV movie 2008 Welcome to The Captain Josh Flug 5 episodes 2008 Private Practice Brian Episode: "Equal & Opposite" 2008 It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia College Student Episode: "Who Pooped the Bed?" 2009–2010 Dollhouse Topher Brink 27 episodes 2011 Goodnight Burbank Chaz Parker Episode: "Lesbians on Acid" 2012 Dating Rules from My Future Self Sorbet Guy 2 episodes 2013 The Good Wife Eugene Episode: "A More Perfect Union" 2014 Dallas Hunter McKay 3 episodes 2016 TripTankVarious voices2 episodes 2016 Elementary Brendan Farley Episode: "How the Sausage Is Made" 2017 Major Crimes Stan Pearl 4 episodes 2018 Ballers Yanni 3 episodes 2018–2020 Homecoming Ron 2 episodes 2019 The Loudest Voice Gabriel Sherman Episode: "2012" 2022–2023 Julia Russell Morash Main role2023Party DownMilesEpisode: "Kyle Bradway Is Nitromancer"

Broadway Year Title Role Notes 2012 Death of a Salesman Bernard Ethel Barrymore Theatre, starring Philip Seymour HoffmanGans, Andrew."Starry Revival of Arthur Miller's 'Death of a Salesman' Opens on Broadway" playbill.com, March 15, 2012 2014 You Can't Take It with You Tony Kirby Longacre Theatre, starring James Earl JonesStaff. "The Verdict: Critics Review 'You Can't Take It With You', Starring James Earl Jones and Elizabeth Ashley, on Broadway" playbill.com, September 28, 2014 2025 Good Night, and Good Luck Palmer Williams Winter Garden Theatre

Web Year Title Role Notes 2009 MegaBot Blue 2012 JourneyQuest Silver Tom 8 episodes

Music videos Year Title Role Notes 2003 The Chemical Brothers - "The Golden Path" Main role - Office worker

References

External links

Interview with Kranz - "Fran Kranz on theater, film, and his haircut"