Franklin Thomas Fox: Facts You Never Knew About Megan Fox’s Mysterious Father

Many people know Megan Fox, the Hollywood star who turned heads in Transformers and Jennifer’s Body. But not many know much about her father, Franklin Thomas Fox. He isn’t famous, doesn’t do interviews, and lives a quiet, private life. Still, his story plays an important part in understanding who Megan really is.

Franklin’s life has been simple but emotional. He worked hard as a parole officer, lived in a small town in Tennessee, and faced personal challenges that shaped both his and his daughter’s lives. In this article, we’ll learn about his background, career, marriage, family, and his journey of reconnecting with Megan Fox after years apart.

Let’s take a closer look at the man behind one of Hollywood’s most talked-about stars — Franklin Thomas Fox.

Franklin Thomas Fox Quick Bio

Early Life of Franklin Thomas Fox

Franklin Thomas Fox was born on January 7, 1951, in Tennessee, USA. He grew up in a modest home, surrounded by the calm beauty of small-town life. Like many people from the South, Franklin learned the values of hard work, responsibility, and family from an early age.

Not much is known about his parents or early education, but it’s clear that Franklin grew up in a close, traditional family setting. His early years shaped his serious and disciplined personality — qualities that later helped him in his career as a parole officer.

Even though he has stayed out of the spotlight, people who have met him describe him as quiet, polite, and hardworking — a man who believes in simple living and strong values.

What Did Franklin Fox Do for a Living?

Before Megan Fox became a movie star, her father, Franklin Thomas Fox, worked as a parole officer. It’s a serious and demanding job — one that involves helping people rebuild their lives after being released from prison.

Franklin spent most of his career working in East Tennessee. The job required discipline, patience, and empathy, and he was known for treating people fairly. It’s the kind of career that doesn’t bring fame or big money, but it earns respect from the community.

While his daughter went on to shine in Hollywood, Franklin continued living a grounded and private life, far from cameras and red carpets. His strong sense of duty showed that he preferred peace and simplicity over fame.

Marriage to Megan Fox’s Mother, Gloria Darlene

In the 1970s, Franklin met Gloria Darlene Cisson, a warm and hardworking woman from Tennessee. Their love story was simple and real — two people starting a life together with hope and love. They married and settled in East Tennessee, where they built a quiet family life.

Gloria worked different jobs to support the family, while Franklin focused on his parole work. Together, they lived a modest life, raising their two daughters in the small town of Rockwood, near the Appalachian Mountains.

In one interview, Megan once said, “My dad used to hunt ducks, and my mom would cook them in a pot.” That small memory shows how humble and grounded her early family life was — a simple home, filled with ordinary moments that still meant a lot.

Becoming a Father to Megan and Kristi

Franklin and Gloria welcomed their first daughter, Kristi Branim Fox, in 1974. Twelve years later, they had their second daughter, Megan Denise Fox, on May 16, 1986.

The large age gap between the sisters meant they grew up in very different worlds. Kristi was already a teenager when Megan was born. While Franklin was a caring father, his work often kept him busy. Life was simple but not always easy, and the family didn’t have much money.

Still, Franklin was proud of his two daughters. He wanted them to have good values and live honest lives. Even though Megan later became famous, she often mentioned that her childhood was “modest” and “small-town simple.” Those early family values came from her father’s side.

The Divorce That Changed Everything

Unfortunately, Franklin and Gloria’s marriage didn’t last forever. They divorced in 1989, when Megan was just three years old. The separation had a big impact on their family — especially on young Megan, who was too small to understand what was happening.

After the divorce, Gloria took custody of the children and moved with them to Florida. Franklin stayed in Tennessee, continuing his work and living a private life. For many years, Megan had little contact with her dad.

In interviews, she later shared that she “wasn’t traumatized” by the divorce, but she did miss her father deeply. She often spoke about how not seeing him made her feel “unacceptable” and “rejected.” That emotional distance shaped how she saw herself growing up.

Why Megan Fox Grew Up Without Her Father

After the divorce, Franklin Thomas Fox wasn’t a big part of Megan’s daily life. Her mother, Gloria, remarried a man named Tony Tonachio, and they built a new home in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

Megan’s stepfather was strict and very religious. Megan has said in interviews that she felt “grounded all the time” during her teenage years. She often rebelled, sneaking out or taking her mom’s car without permission. These were her ways of expressing frustration in a strict household and from missing her real dad.

During those years, Franklin remained in Tennessee and had little contact with his daughters. Megan once said that her father “kind of disappeared for a while,” and she often wondered why. Still, deep inside, she always cared for him and hoped to reconnect someday.

How the Distance Affected Megan Fox

Not having her father around made Megan’s childhood emotionally challenging. She has spoken openly about her feelings, saying that she often felt like she wasn’t “good enough” or “accepted.” These feelings, she admitted, followed her into adulthood.

In her GQ interview, Megan said, “Of course I think that has something to do with my parents’ divorce and not seeing my dad. You don’t ever really get past that.”

Megan also shared that her father was “outgoing and funny,” but his absence made her long for him even more. She felt connected to him but couldn’t reach him — describing it as trying to “get to the light but being kept away.”

These emotional experiences became part of what shaped her personality and drive. Many believe that her strength and determination as an actress come partly from surviving that painful separation.

Franklin and Megan Reconnect

After many years apart, Franklin Thomas Fox and Megan finally started talking again. As Megan grew older, she wanted to understand her past and feel connected to her dad. She reached out to him, and that one step helped open the door to healing.

Franklin was overjoyed. In a 2016 interview, he said how proud he was of Megan. He called her a “strong and determined woman” who worked hard to build her own life. He admitted that missing so many years of her life was heartbreaking, but he was thankful for the chance to make things better.

Their relationship slowly became stronger. They may not talk about it much in public, but it’s clear that Franklin Thomas Fox is now a proud father, happy to be part of Megan’s life again.

Franklin Fox as a Grandfather

One thing that brought Franklin and Megan even closer was the arrival of her children. Megan has three sons — Noah, Bodhi, and Journey — from her previous marriage to actor Brian Austin Green.

Becoming a grandfather changed everything for Franklin. In that same 2016 interview, he shared how excited he was. “I can’t believe she’s going to have three boys,” he said with joy.

He also said that becoming a grandfather brought the whole family closer again. It gave them a new reason to reconnect and stay in each other’s lives. Even though Franklin was once missing from Megan’s childhood, now he’s getting a second chance — this time as a grandpa.

Franklin’s Public Words About Megan

Franklin Thomas Fox doesn’t like being in the spotlight. He rarely gives interviews, and he’s not on social media. But when he does speak about Megan, his love and pride are very clear.

He once said that hearing about Megan’s struggles as a child broke his heart. He didn’t know she had been bullied or that she struggled with self-worth. “That tore me apart to know I wasn’t there for her,” he shared.

But he also said he sees how strong she’s become — as a mother, as an actress, and as a woman. His kind words show that even after many years apart, a father’s love can still shine through.

Where Is Franklin Thomas Fox Now?

As of 2025, Franklin Thomas Fox is 74 years old. He lives a very quiet and peaceful life, likely still in Tennessee, far away from the bright lights of Hollywood.

He doesn’t attend events with Megan, and he doesn’t show up in tabloids. But that doesn’t mean he isn’t part of her life. From what we know, their bond is strong, even if it’s private.

He is no longer working and is believed to be enjoying retirement. He focuses on family, especially his grandchildren, and keeps his life simple and calm.

Final Thoughts

The story of Franklin Thomas Fox is more than just a background detail in Megan Fox’s life. It’s a story about distance, pain, and eventually — healing.

He may not be a celebrity, but he played a real role in shaping who Megan is. His absence made her stronger, and their reunion shows that it’s never too late to reconnect.

Today, Franklin is no longer just a mysterious name. He is a proud father and grandfather, watching from the sidelines as his daughter shines on the world stage.