Joaquin Phoenix
Favorite Film: Quills
Worst Film: It’s All About Love
Most Underated: Quills, Clay Pigeons
Statistics
Birth Name: Joaquin Rafael Bottom
Birthdate: October 28, 1974
Place Of Birth: San Juan, Puerto Rico
Father: John Bottom Amram
Mother: Arlyn Dunetz Jochebed
Siblings: River Phoenix (1970-1993), Rain Phoenix (b. 1972),
Summer Phoenix (b. 1976), Liberty Phoenix (b. 1978)
Bio:
Born to Children of God (a religious cult that fused ideas from Christianity and the Free Love movement) missionaries, Joaquin spent much of his early childhood traveling through South America as his parents fulfilled their missionary duties. Eventually, however, his parents became disillusioned with the increasingly bizarre sexual practices being recommended by the leaders of their faith (Some of these practices even included children. Brother River claimed to have lost his virginity at the age of 4). Eventually, his parents decided to break away, taking their family to Florida and adopting the surname “Phoenix” to signify their new life.
However, the family struggled to make ends meet and eventually they headed west to Los Angeles so that the children could pursue acting. Joaquin adopted the name “Leaf” (in an effort to match his siblings’ earthier sounding names) and gained a respectable amount of success in movies like Russkies, Space Camp and Parenthood. However, few knew anything of the young actor until his distraught 911 telephone call reporting the overdose of older brother River was broadcast over and over on practically every media outlet.
But Joaquin would not spend his career in the shadow of his brother. With roles in movies like Gladiator and Walk the Line, he displayed an immense wealth of talent and versatility, garnering awards and critical acclaim.
Being a nearly lifelong vegan, he also dedicated himself to charitable work, becoming spokesperson for the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, and serving as narrator and producer for the animal rights documentary Earthlings.
Recent years have seen his work overshadowed by his often volatile relationship with the media, culminating in a bizarre chain of events in which Phoenix announced his retirement from acting in order to pursue rap music, appeared bearded, disheveled and incoherent during interviews, and then disappeared altogether. All of this was filmed by friend and brother-in-law Casey Affleck, leading to much speculation that his behavior was an elaborate hoax.
In January of 2010, a clean-shaven Phoenix appeared with Miley Cyrus and ex-girlfriend Liv Tyler in a promotional video for To Write Love On Her Arms, a suicide prevention organization. More recently, details of his documentary I’m Still Here have come out, which suggest that the bizarre behaviors Phoenix displayed in public and on television were just the tip of the iceberg. It remains to be seen whether it was all an elaborate hoax or if the star really did have a psychotic meltdown. My money’s on the former. After all, Joaquin Phoenix is a very talented actor.
Edit: On September 17, 2010, it was reported that Casey Affleck finally acknowledged that
I'm Still Here was staged. Phoenix himself confirmed this in an appearance on David Letterman 9/22/10.
Movies/Television
As Joaquin Phoenix:
I’m Still Here: The Lost Years of Joaquin Phoenix (2010)
Two Lovers (2008)
Reservation Road (2007)
We Own The Night (2007)
Earthlings (2005) [Narrator]
Walk the Line (2005)
Ladder 49 (2004)
Hotel Rwanda (2004)
The Village (2004)
Brother Bear (2003) [Voice of “Kenai”]
It’s All About Love (2003)
Signs (2002)
Buffalo Soldiers (2001)
Quills (2000)
Gladiator (2000)
The Yards (2000)
8MM (1999)
Clay Pigeons (1998)
Return to Paradise (1998)
U Turn (1997)
Inventing the Abbotts (1997)
To Die For (1995)
Walking the Dog (1991)
As Leaf Phoenix:
Parenthood (1989)
The Adventures of Superboy (1989) [Television, 1 episode]
The New Leave It to Beaver (1989) [Television, 1 episode]
Secret Witness (1988) [Television]
Russkies (1987)
SpaceCamp (1986)
Morningstar/Eveningstar (1986) [Television, 7 episodes]
Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1986) [Television, 1 episode]
Anything for love (1985) [Television]
Kids Don’t Tell (1985) [Television]
Murder, She Wrote (1984) [Television, 1 episode]
Hill Street Blues (1984) [Television, 1 episode]
The Fall Guy (1984) [Television, 1 episode]
ABC Afterschool Special – Backwards: The Riddle of Dyslexia (1984) [Television]
Mr. Smith (1983) [Television, 1 episode]
Six Pack (1983) [Television]
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1982) [Television, 1 episode]
Awards/Nominations
Most notable are his two Academy Award Nominations (Best Supporting Actor: Gladiator and Best Actor: Walk the Line) as well as his Golden Globe win for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy: Walk The Line.
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