Who Was Julia Lazar Franco? All About Tom Franco's First Wife

Many people know the Franco family because of famous actors James Franco and Dave Franco. But there is another person with a touching story. Her name is Julia Lazar Franco. She was not a movie star. She lived a quiet life filled with art music yoga and helping others.

Most people know her as Tom Franco’s first wife. But Julia was much more than that. She was a talented singer a skilled artist and a caring yoga teacher. She loved helping people and making the world a better place through kindness and creativity.

In this article you will learn about Julia Lazar Franco. We will look at her childhood family music career move to America and the love story she shared with Tom Franco. You will also see why people still remember her today.

Julia Lazar Franco Quick Bio


Full Name	Julia Lazar Franco
Birth Name	Julia Lazar
Date of Birth	November 7, 1957
Birthplace	Vienna, Austria
Date of Death	August 25, 2014
Age	56 years
Nationality	Austrian-American
Ethnicity	Hungarian-Austrian
Profession	Artist, Singer, Yoga Teacher
Famous For	Tom Franco’s first wife
Parents	Imre Lazar, Marika Nagy
Husband	Tom Franco (m. 2014)
Children	1 (Dawn Schoenherz)
Residence	California, United States
Cause of Death	Liver failure and illness complications
Net Worth	About $1 million

Who Was Julia Lazar Franco?

Julia Lazar Franco was an artist singer and yoga teacher. She was born in Austria and later moved to the United States. She became well known after marrying artist and actor Tom Franco.

Julia loved simple things in life. She enjoyed painting singing teaching yoga and helping people. She believed that art and music could bring peace and happiness. She did not care about fame. She cared about people.

Today many people search for Julia Lazar Franco because they want to know more about her life. She was a kind woman who made a big difference in the lives of many people.

Julia Lazar Franco’s Early Life

Julia Lazar Franco was born on November 7 1957 in Vienna Austria. She grew up in a family that loved art. From a young age she was surrounded by painting music and creative ideas.

Her father Imre Lazar worked as a movie producer. Her mother Marika Nagy was a painter. They helped Julia learn about art and gave her the freedom to follow her dreams.

Julia enjoyed drawing painting and singing when she was a child. She also loved learning new things. Living in Vienna helped her grow because the city is famous for music and art.

Julia had Hungarian and Austrian family roots. She was proud of where she came from and carried those memories with her throughout her life.

Julia Lazar Franco’s Love for Music and Art

Music was one of Julia’s biggest passions. She loved to sing because it helped her share her feelings with others. She later became the lead singer of a rock band called Exit.

Julia enjoyed performing on stage. She sang from her heart and gave every performance her best. She did not sing to become famous. She sang because she loved music.

Art was also a big part of her life. Julia spent many hours painting and creating new artwork. She believed every painting could tell a story.

Think about your favorite song or picture. It can make you smile or remember a special time. Julia wanted her music and art to make people feel the same way.

Julia Lazar Franco’s Journey to America

In the early 1980s Julia decided to start a new life. She moved from Austria to the United States. It was a big step but she was ready for a new adventure.

She settled in California where many artists and creative people lived. Julia felt happy because she could learn new skills and meet people who loved art as much as she did.

During this time she also learned more about yoga meditation and natural healing. She even traveled to study these ideas because she wanted to help people live healthier lives.

When Julia returned to California she knew what she wanted. She wanted to use art music and yoga to help others and make a positive difference.

Julia Lazar Franco’s Career in Yoga and Wellness

Julia Lazar Franco became a yoga teacher because she wanted people to feel healthy and peaceful. She believed that a calm mind was just as important as a healthy body.

She also worked at a wellness center where she cooked healthy meals and helped visitors feel better. She believed good food daily exercise and quiet time could improve life.

Her yoga classes welcomed everyone. It did not matter if someone was young old or trying yoga for the first time. Julia made everyone feel welcome.

Many people remembered Julia because she was kind and patient. She listened carefully and always wanted to help. Her students respected her because she taught with love and care.

How Julia Lazar Franco Met Tom Franco

Julia Lazar Franco met Tom Franco through their shared love of art and community work. They both enjoyed helping artists and creating beautiful things together.

Tom was already working with the Firehouse Art Collective in Berkeley California. Julia also loved art and believed creative people should support each other. They quickly became close friends.

As they spent more time together their friendship grew into love. They understood each other because they shared the same values. Both wanted a simple life filled with kindness art and helping others.

Their relationship was never about fame or money. It was about love trust and working together. That strong bond became the start of their beautiful life together.

Julia Lazar Franco and Tom Franco’s Marriage

After spending many happy years together, Julia Lazar Franco and Tom Franco got married on July 28, 2014. Their wedding was small and quiet. It was not like a big Hollywood wedding.

The wedding took place in a hospital because Julia was very sick. Even during this hard time, they wanted to become husband and wife. Their family and close friends shared this special moment with them.

Julia and Tom loved each other deeply. They enjoyed making art, helping people, and living a simple life. Their marriage was built on love, trust, and respect.

Julia Lazar Franco’s Life at the Firehouse Art Collective

A very important part of Julia Lazar Franco’s life was the Firehouse Art Collective in Berkeley, California. It was a place where artists could meet, learn, and make art together.

Julia worked there with Tom Franco. She welcomed new artists and made everyone feel comfortable. She believed every person had something special to share.

The Firehouse was more than an art center. It was like a family. People came there to learn, make friends, and enjoy being creative. Julia helped make it a happy and caring place.

Many people still remember her because she was always kind. She listened to others and made people feel welcome.

Julia Lazar Franco’s Daughter and Family Life

Before marrying Tom Franco, Julia Lazar Franco had a daughter named Dawn Schoenherz. Julia loved her daughter very much and always cared about her family.

When Julia married Tom, she became part of the famous Franco family. James Franco and Dave Franco became her brothers-in-law. Even with a famous family, Julia liked a quiet and private life.

Julia and Tom did not have children together. They spent their time working on art, helping their community, and enjoying life together.

Julia believed family was about love, care, and spending time together. Those things were always important to her.

Julia Lazar Franco’s Health Problems and Death

In the last years of her life, Julia Lazar Franco became very sick. She had hepatitis C. Later, she also had liver cancer and kidney disease.

Even during her illness, Julia stayed positive. She continued making art, teaching yoga, and helping people when she could. She showed great strength and never lost her kind heart.

Julia passed away on August 25, 2014. She was 56 years old. Doctors said her death was caused by liver failure and problems from liver cancer, hepatitis C, and kidney disease.

Her death made many people very sad. Her family, friends, and the art community all missed her. They remembered her for her kindness more than anything else.

Tom Franco’s Life After Julia Lazar Franco

After Julia passed away, Tom Franco needed time to heal. Losing someone you love is never easy. Even so, he kept working on the projects they started together.

Tom continued leading the Firehouse Art Collective. He wanted Julia’s dream to live on. He still supports artists and helps people through art.

Later, Tom married Iris Torres, a film producer. They keep their life private and continue working on creative projects together.

Even today, Julia is an important part of Tom’s story. Her love and support helped shape his life, and he continues to honor her memory.

Julia Lazar Franco’s Legacy and Interesting Facts

Julia Lazar Franco may not have been a movie star, but she changed many lives. She shared her love through art, music, yoga, and kindness.

She believed people should help each other. She believed art could bring hope. She believed everyone should live with love and peace. These ideas still inspire people today.

Here are some quick facts about Julia Lazar Franco:

She was born in Vienna, Austria.
She was the lead singer of the rock band Exit.
She loved painting and yoga.
She had one daughter named Dawn Schoenherz.
She helped lead the Firehouse Art Collective.
She married Tom Franco in 2014.
She died a few weeks after her wedding.
Many people remember her for her kind heart.

Her story shows that you do not need fame to make a difference. A caring heart can change many lives.

Final Thoughts

Julia Lazar Franco lived a life full of love, art, music, and kindness. She did not want fame. She wanted to help people and make the world a better place.

Many people first learn about Julia Lazar Franco because she was Tom Franco’s first wife. But she was much more than that. She was a talented artist, a caring yoga teacher, and a kind person who touched many lives.

Even in 2026, people still remember Julia for her warm heart and creative spirit. Her story reminds us that being kind, helping others, and following your dreams can leave a lasting memory that never fades.