Joaquin Phoenix biography
Joaquin Rafael Phoenix (
"wah-KEEN FEE-nix"; born October 28, 1974), formerly credited as Leaf Phoenix, is an award-winning United States and Puerto Rico film actor. He is from a family of performers and is the younger brother of actor River Phoenix.
Phoenix has ventured behind a camera, directing music videos as well as producing movies and television shows, and has recorded an album, the soundtrack to Walk the Line (soundtrack). He is also known for his work as a social activist, particularly as an advocate for animal rights.
Family background and early life
Phoenix was born Joaquin Rafael Bottom in Río Piedras, located in the city of San Juan, Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico. He is the third of five children, including the late River Phoenix (1970 – 1993), Rain Phoenix (1972), Liberty (1976), and Summer Phoenix (1978). He also has a half-sister named Jodean (1964), from his father's first marriage.
His father, John Lee Bottom, was a lapsed Catholic from Fontana, California. His mother, Arlyn Phoenix (married and maiden names Dunetz), was born in the Bronx, New York to Jewish parents from Hungary and Russia.
In order to provide food and financial support for the family, the Phoenix children performed on the streets and at various talent contests, singing and playing instruments. In Los Angeles his mother started working as a secretary for NBC, and his father worked as a landscaper. Joaquin and his siblings were eventually discovered by one of Hollywood's leading children's agents, Iris Burton, who got the five children acting work, mainly doing commercials and television show appearances. Phoenix went on to establish himself a child actor before deciding to withdraw from acting for a while and travel to Mexico and South America with his father.
Phoenix came back into public view under tragic circumstances: on October 31, 1993, his brother, River Phoenix, suffered a fatal overdose, outside the famed Hollywood, California nightclub Viper Room, which was owned by Johnny Depp. Joaquin's call to 9-1-1 to save his brother was recorded and repeatedly played over the airwaves and on television. The sudden media intrusion into his life proved to be too overwhelming; once again, he retreated from the public eye. A year later, at the insistence of his friends, Joaquin reluctantly re-entered the world of acting.
Film career
Acting
Phoenix's first acting jobs were guest appearances on two television shows with his brother River Phoenix: Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (TV series) (1982) and
Backwards: The Riddle of Dyslexia (1984). He made his big-screen debut in
SpaceCamp (1986), playing the role of Max, after starring in an
Alfred Hitchcock Presents episode: "A very happy ending" the same year, and his first starring role was in
Russkies (1987). He later co-starred in Ron Howard's
Parenthood (1989), during which his name was still Leaf Phoenix, as seen in the credits.
Early on in his career, Phoenix had often played supporting roles as conflicted, insecure characters with a darker side. He has earned positive reviews for his portrayals of various individuals: a troubled teen in Gus Van Sant's
To Die For (1995) co-starring with Nicole Kidman, a small-town troublemaker in Oliver Stone's
U-Turn, the cruel ancient Rome emperor Commodus in Ridley Scott's
Gladiator (2000 movie) (2000) (for which he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor), a conflicted priest in
Quills (2000), a washed-up baseball player in M. Night Shyamalan's
Signs (film) (2002), a lovestruck farmer in Shyamalan's
The Village (movie) (2004), a disillusioned cameraman in Terry George's
Hotel Rwanda (2004), and a heroic firefighter in
Ladder 49 (2004).
Upon being cast as Johnny Cash in
Walk the Line after Cash himself approved, Joaquin responded by buying a guitar and learning how to play. Reese Witherspoon, who portrayed June Carter Cash in the film and won a Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance, stated during an interview that when they first performed in-character before a live audience, she was so impressed with his impersonation that she knew she "had to step it up a notch". All of Cash and Carter's vocal tracks in the movie and on the accompanying soundtrack are played and sung by Phoenix and Witherspoon. In 2005, he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor, and won a Golden Globe in the same category in 2006.
In 2006, Phoenix was invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Joaquin and River became the first brothers in Hollywood history to be nominated for an Academy Award in the acting category. She Wants Revenge, People in Planes, Arckid, Albert Hammond Jr and Silversun Pickups
Producing
Phoenix serves as one of the executive producers of a television show called
"in order to connect with young leaders who are creating social and economic change."He is also listed as a producer on the movie
We Own the Night.
Music career
Singing
He recorded the album
Walk the Line (soundtrack) and won a Grammy Award at the 49th Annual Grammy Awards for his work on the soundtrack.
Song writing
Phoenix is now recording an album with Tim Burgess, lead singer of the British rock/indie band The Charlatans (UK band). Phoenix wrote the songs and Anthony Langdon (former Spacehog member) sang them. No release date has been set.
Social activism
Phoenix has long been a social activist, lending his support to a number of charities and humanitarian organizations, notably Amnesty International,
and
Phoenix has been a dedicated vegan since the age of three. He is a member of P.E.T.A and the organization In Defense of Animals, and has actively campaigned on their behalf.
In 2005, he participated in the documentary
Personal life
Phoenix's parents are divorced. His mother is now married to Jeffrey Weisberg, treasurer and member of the Board of Directors of
The scar above his lip is, contrary to popular belief, a birthmark. Once during his mother's pregnancy, she felt a sharp pain and believes the two events are connected.
Phoenix has stated on numerous occasions that he does not watch his performances on screen.
Joaquin Phoenix in the news
Get your Joaquin Phoenix meltdown video on the big screen - MiamiHe...
Get your Joaquin Phoenix meltdown video on the big screenMiamiHerald.comRemember Joaquin Phoenix? The critically acclaimed, Academy Award-nominated actor who decided to become a rapper and had a public meltdown on the Late Show ...and more »
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The Phoenix must not quitPhilippine StarThe following piece is about a movie starring Joaquin Phoenix. There is nothing this column can do to Joaquin Phoenix that he hasn't already done to himself ...and more »
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Movie City NewsDVD Review: Two Lovers -- Joaquin Phoenix's Final Role Finally ...Film.comTouted as Joaquin Phoenix's final film performance (whether or not it actually is, of course, remains to be seen), Two Lovers finally makes its way onto DVD ...Joaquin Phoenix's performance in 'Two Lovers' has great depthPittsburgh Tribune-ReviewNew on DVD: Two Lovers — and no clichésHouston ChronicleReview: Dysfunctional man, women court, spark in 'Two Lovers"San Jose Mercury NewsGreenCine -Movie City News -MovieWeb -ScreenCrave.comall 30 news articles »
read moreLee's 'Right Thing' plus 20; fickle Phoenix...
MTV.comLee's 'Right Thing' plus 20; fickle Phoenix at his bestMiamiHerald.com... $30 DVD, $35 Blu-ray) was eclipsed by his bizarre behavior during a promotional visit to the David Letterman show, Joaquin Phoenix does some of his best ...Do the Right Thing: 20th Anniversary EditionNews-Leader.comNew on DVD: 'Do The Right Thing'USA TodayNew on DVD: "Do the Right Thing (20th Anniversary Edition)"BurlingtonFreePress.comDigital Homeall 221 news articles »
read moreWith Liberty and Justice for All Species - vision magazine
vision magazineWith Liberty and Justice for All Speciesvision magazineIn his powerful film, Earthlings, narrated by Joaquin Phoenix, he challenges us to take responsibility for our choices, and perhaps recognize our own ...and more »
read more10 Best Films of 2009 (1st Half Edition) - Huffington Post
10 Best Films of 2009 (1st Half Edition)Huffington PostTwo Lovers: Director James Grey used Joaquin Phoenix in a new way, drawing a layered and moving performance from him as a man torn between two women. ...and more »
read more"Jonas Brothers: The Concert Experience" released...
Sun-Sentinel.com"Jonas Brothers: The Concert Experience" released on DVDSeattle TimesAP Joaquin Phoenix and Vinessa Shaw in "Two Lovers." The Jonas Brothers (who played the Tacoma Dome Sunday) can now be seen on DVD, with today's release of ...'Jonas,' 'Street Fighter' arrive on DVDNorthwest Herald"Jonas Brothers," "Do The Right Thing" Hit Stores On DVD And Blu-RayTrading Markets (press release)Jonas Brothers available on DVD and in 3DWinston-Salem JournalExaminer.comall 72 news articles »
read moreMarvel X-Men, Vol. 3 and Marvel X-Men, Vol. 4 Attack on DVD on ... ...
MovieWebMarvel X-Men, Vol. 3 and Marvel X-Men, Vol. 4 Attack on DVD on ...MovieWebTake a look at this new Joaquin Phoenix DVD that just hit the shelves. We have all the details on this new four-disc set with collectable packaging. ...and more »
read moreTwo Lovers DVD Review: Joaquin Phoenix In Lusty Triangle - NewsBlaze
Two Lovers DVD Review: Joaquin Phoenix In Lusty TriangleNewsBlazeNot to be confused with star Joaquin Phoenix's headline grabbing split between his passion for acting and music, Two Lovers delves into ...and more »
read more2009: Halftime Report - OnMilwaukee.com
2009: Halftime ReportOnMilwaukee.comKEEP READING: WTF Moment #1 It's been a crazy first half of 2009, and Joaquin Phoenix has carried the torch for much of it. Once considered the heir to the ...and more »
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