James Franco showed off his backside for hundreds of fans at the annual Broadway Bares fundraiser in New York City on Sunday (22Jun14).

The Oscar-nominated actor, who is currently starring in Of Mice and Men on the Great White Way, was one of the many theatre stars who took to the stage at the Hammerstein Ballroom to raise money for Hiv support organisation Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids.

Franco took part in a sketch in which he attempted to gain entry into a fictional nightclub, and when the bouncer blocked him from going in, Franco said, "Don't you know who I am?"

Drag queen/reality Tv star Bianca Del Rio stepped in to save Franco, but told him to "face the wall" so she could give him a "cavity search".

Del Rio exclaimed, "Just so you know, Franco, this won't be as painful as you hosting the Oscars," then proceeded to rip his pants down to expose his bare bottom to the crowd of eager fans.

The event, now in its 24th year, also included appearances from Broadway favourites Alan Cumming and Constantine Maroulis.