Julia Lazar Franco was an Austrian-born artist, musician, and wellness practitioner best known as the wife of actor Tom Franco. Born on November 7, 1957, in Vienna, Austria, she died on August 25, 2014, at age 56 from liver failure related to hepatitis C and liver cancer.
You might know Julia as Tom Franco’s wife, but her story goes far beyond Hollywood connections. She was the lead singer of rock band Exit, a yoga teacher, visual artist, and culinary expert who dedicated her life to creativity and wellness. Her journey from Vienna to California’s art scene tells a story of passion, resilience, and artistic commitment.
In this article, you’ll discover Julia’s early life in Austria, her music career, her relationship with Tom Franco, and the health battles that led to her untimely death. You’ll also learn about her lasting impact on the artistic community.
Early Life and Artistic Roots
Julia was born into a creative household where her father, Imre Lazar, worked as a movie producer and her mother, Marika Nagy, was a painter. Growing up in Vienna during the 1960s and 70s, she absorbed artistic influences from every direction.
Her parents didn’t just support her artistic interests—they lived them. This environment shaped Julia’s worldview and gave her permission to explore multiple creative paths. She studied Painting and Life Drawing at Austria’s Academy of Fine Arts and later studied fashion at Hetzendorf Modeschule.
In the 1980s, Julia left Austria for the United States and became an active member of California’s artistic neighborhood. This move marked the beginning of her American journey, where she would spend the next three decades building a life centered on art, music, and spiritual growth.
Music Career with Exit
Julia gained recognition as the lead singer of the rock band Exit, where her powerful voice and stage presence made her stand out. For nearly a decade, she performed across California’s Bay Area, building a dedicated following.
Exit wasn’t a mainstream band, but they carved out a space in the local music scene. Julia’s vocal style combined raw emotion with technical skill. She brought authenticity to every performance, connecting with audiences through her genuine passion for the music.
Her time with Exit represented more than just a career phase. It was an expression of her artistic identity and a way to connect with like-minded creatives. The band gave her a platform to share her voice—literally and figuratively.
Spiritual Journey to India
In the 1990s, Julia moved to India, where she focused on understanding yoga practice and cuisine while working at an ashram in Ganeshpuri. This wasn’t a vacation or short-term experiment. She committed years to deepening her spiritual practice.
At the ashram, Julia took charge of the kitchen, combining her love of food with her spiritual practice. She later moved to Paris to study cooking at Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Academy, one of the world’s most prestigious culinary schools.
This period transformed Julia’s understanding of wellness. She learned to see food preparation as a meditative practice and a way to nourish both body and spirit. These lessons would shape her later work in California.
Meeting Tom Franco
Julia first met Tom Franco in 2003 at an ashram in the Bay Area, where their friendship grew from shared artistic interests and spiritual pursuits. Tom, the middle Franco brother, had founded the Firehouse Art Collective in Berkeley—a nonprofit supporting emerging artists.
Their connection went beyond romance. Julia and Tom joined forces at The Firehouse Collective and served as co-directors of the organization. She brought her marketing expertise and public relations skills to help the collective grow.
Julia documented activities with her camera and posted them online to generate public interest. Thanks to her efforts, the collective now represents over 100 artists and has five properties across the Bay Area.
Tom was 23 years younger than Julia, but their age gap never defined their relationship. They connected through creativity, shared values, and mutual respect.
Wedding During Illness
In a poignant ceremony, Julia married Tom Franco on July 28, 2014, in a hospital solarium due to her health challenges. By this point, she had been battling serious medical conditions for months.
The wedding took place in the hospital and featured her loved ones, including members of her ashram. Despite the circumstances, those present described it as deeply meaningful and full of love.
Julia and Tom had less than a month together as husband and wife. She died on August 25, 2014, and a memorial service was held on August 31. The timing makes their wedding both beautiful and heartbreaking.
Health Struggles and Death
Julia died at age 56 from liver failure and complications related to hepatitis C, liver cancer, and kidney failure. She had been dealing with these conditions for some time, spending her final months at UC San Francisco.
Reports suggest Julia contracted a chronic disease during childhood that contributed to health complications in adulthood. Hepatitis C can remain dormant for decades before causing serious liver damage.
Despite her declining health, Julia continued her artistic and wellness work until late in her illness. She refused to let her diagnosis define her final months. Instead, she focused on what mattered most: art, community, and love.
Legacy and Impact
Julia left no biological children with Tom Franco, though she had a daughter named Dawn from a previous relationship. Her legacy lives through the artists she mentored and the Firehouse Art Collective she helped build.
Tom Franco later remarried. After Julia died in 2014, Tom married Iris Torres, a film producer known for her work on independent films. The two have kept their relationship private while continuing artistic work together.
Julia’s life teaches an important lesson: impact isn’t measured in years but in depth. Her 56 years contained more creativity, spiritual growth, and community building than many people achieve in twice that time.
Key Takeaways About Julia Lazar Franco
Here’s what you should remember about Julia’s life:
- Born November 7, 1957, in Vienna, Austria, to artist parents—movie producer Imre Lazar and painter Marika Nagy
- Gained recognition as the lead singer of rock band Exit in California during the 1980s and 1990s
- Worked as a visual artist, yoga teacher, and chef at a California retreat center
- Married actor and artist Tom Franco in 2014, becoming connected to the Franco family, including James Franco, Dave Franco, and Alison Brie
- Died August 25, 2014, from complications of hepatitis C, liver cancer, and kidney failure
Final Thoughts
Julia Lazar Franco lived a life defined by artistic expression and spiritual seeking. From Vienna to California, from rock stages to ashrams, she followed her creative impulses wherever they led.
Her story reminds us that creativity takes many forms. Julia didn’t limit herself to one medium or one path. She sang, painted, taught yoga, cooked gourmet meals, and supported other artists. Each pursuit is connected to the others through her commitment to authentic self-expression.
Though her life ended too soon, Julia’s influence continues through the Firehouse Art Collective and the countless artists she inspired. She proved that a life dedicated to creativity and compassion leaves ripples that extend far beyond one person’s years.
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