In an open letter to Shia LaBeouf that was printed in The New York Times, fellow actor James Franco says that the embattled actor's recent behavior is "performance art," comparing the former Disney star to the likes of Marlon Brando in the process. 

According to MTV, the letter -- which went live on the New York Times website last night -- urged the audience to remember the struggles that such actors like Marlon Brando had in coping with the trappings of fame, and encouraged readers to look at the former Even Stevens star through those eyes.

"Though the wisdom of some of his actions may seem questionable, as an actor and artist I'm inclined to take an empathetic view of his conduct," Franco said, adding that LaBeouf and Brando weren't the only actors who tried to gain control over their public images. "At times I have felt the need to dissociate myself from my work and public image. My decision was in part an effort to jar expectations of what a film actor does and to undermine the tacit -- or not so tacit -- hierarchy of entertainment."

Furthermore, accoridng to Entertainment Weekly, Franco said that barring the possibility that Shia may, indeed, be either mentally ill or on drugs, he applauded his efforts of creating an indelible image in the name of art, pointing out that no less of an actor than Joaquin Phoenix pulled similar stunts for his 2009 movie, I'm Not Here.

"Even if the conceit was ultimately a joke (and initially it wasn't clear that it was, for Mr. Phoenix stayed in character in public throughout the filming), the movie was nonetheless earnest about an actor's need to take back a little bit of power over his image by making such a film," Franco said.

Of course, all of Franco's advice comes with a caveat to his colleague: don't blow it, kid. "I think Mr. LaBeouf's project, if it is a project, is a worthy one. I just hope that he is careful not to use up all the good will he has gained as an actor in order to show us that he is an artist," he said.