UNITED STATES (REUTERS) - James Franco is known for having his fingers in many pies.

He is not only a Hollywood actor but also an indie film maker, a writer, a soap opera actor and even a university lecturer.

Now, Franco has added another role to his resume after being a guest performer at Universal Studios Hollywood's Halloween Horror Nights.

The Oscar nominated actor took on the role of Jack Torrance in the maze of The Shining, a character brought to life on screen by Jack Nicholson in the 1980 Stanley Kubrick classic.

For his role, he had to swing his ax at unsuspecting visitors but just stopping before the instrument hits the visitors.

Halloween Horror Nights boasts numerous horror films, classic and new, which have been turned into mazes.

The attraction runs until November 4.