Joaquin Phoenix

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22 Feb 2024

Joaquin Phoenix

Joaquin Rafael Phoenix, an American actor renowned for his portrayal of dark and unconventional characters in indie films and period dramas, has garnered numerous prestigious awards, including an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, a Grammy Award, and two Golden Globe Awards. In 2020, The New York Times hailed him as one of the greatest actors of the 21st century.

Phoenix's journey in entertainment began in the early 1980s when he appeared in television series alongside his brother River. His breakthrough in cinema came with roles in SpaceCamp (1986) and Parenthood (1989). Initially known as Leaf Phoenix, he reclaimed his birth name in the early 1990s, earning critical acclaim for supporting roles in To Die For (1995) and Quills (2000). His portrayal of Commodus in Gladiator (2000) further solidified his reputation, earning him an Academy Award nomination.

Success continued with roles in horror films like Signs (2002) and The Village (2004), as well as the historical drama Hotel Rwanda (2004). His portrayal of musician Johnny Cash in Walk the Line (2005) earned him a Grammy Award, a Golden Globe Award, and an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.
After a hiatus, Phoenix returned with a stellar performance in The Master (2012), winning the Volpi Cup for Best Actor. Subsequent roles in films like Her (2013), Inherent Vice (2014), and You Were Never Really Here (2017) earned him critical acclaim, with the latter fetching him the Best Actor award at Cannes Film Festival. His portrayal of the Joker in the 2019 film of the same name earned him his first Academy Award for Best Actor.

In recent years, Phoenix has continued to shine in independent films such as C'mon C'mon (2021) and Beau Is Afraid (2023), as well as portraying the title role in the historical drama Napoleon (2023).
Beyond his acting career, Phoenix is a committed animal rights activist and vegan since childhood. He actively supports charitable causes and has produced documentaries addressing global meat consumption and its environmental impact. He shares a son with actress Rooney Mara, with whom he is in a relationship.

Joaquin Rafael Bottom was born on October 28, 1974, at the Hospital Metropolitano San Francisco in the Río Piedras district of San Juan, Puerto Rico. His parents, John Lee Bottom and Arlyn "Heart" Bottom (née Dunetz), had diverse professional backgrounds—his father was the founder of a landscape gardening company, while his mother worked as an executive secretary at NBC, utilizing her connections to secure acting opportunities for her children.

Joaquin is the third child in a family of five siblings, preceded by River (1970–1993) and Rain (born 1972), and followed by Liberty (born 1976) and Summer (born 1978), all of whom ventured into acting. Additionally, he has a paternal half-sister named Jodean (born 1964).
His father, a Catholic of English, German, and French descent from Fontana, California, and his mother, with Russian Jewish and Hungarian Jewish roots, met when she was hitchhiking in California. They married shortly after, embarking on a journey that led them to join the religious sect known as the Children of God. As missionaries for the cult, they traversed South America and the Caribbean, where their next two children were born. Disenchanted by the cult's increasingly distorted practices, particularly "flirty fishing," they departed in 1977. Settling briefly in Florida, they legally adopted the surname Phoenix, symbolizing a fresh start reminiscent of the mythical bird rising from its ashes.

At the age of three, Joaquin and his older siblings underwent a pivotal moment that led the family to embrace a vegan lifestyle after witnessing the inhumane treatment of fish. During his childhood, he adopted the name "Leaf," inspired by his affinity for nature and outdoor activities like raking leaves. However, at fifteen, he reverted to his birth name, Joaquin.

In 1979, Phoenix's father, incapacitated by an old spinal injury, necessitated a move for the family to Los Angeles. There, his mother encountered Iris Burton, a prominent child agent, who facilitated the children's entry into commercials and minor television roles. Phoenix made his television debut alongside his brother in the series Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, marking the onset of his acting journey. Reflecting on his initial foray into acting, Phoenix expressed profound joy, describing it as a powerful and exhilarating sensation he had been chasing ever since.

In 1984, Phoenix starred alongside his brother River in the ABC Afterschool Special Backwards: The Riddle of Dyslexia, earning a nomination for Best Young Actor in a Family Film Made for Television at the 6th Youth in Film Awards. He also appeared in guest roles in various television series, including Murder, She Wrote, The Fall Guy, and Hill Street Blues. In a bid to supplement their income, the siblings performed original songs and busked for money, showcasing their talents in matching attire. Phoenix also delved into break dancing, further diversifying his skill set.

Phoenix's disillusionment with conventional education led him to drop out of high school after a disturbing incident involving a mailed dead frog for biology dissection. Unsettled with life in Los Angeles, the family relocated to Gainesville, Florida. His feature film debut came in 1986 with SpaceCamp, followed by notable roles in Russkies (1987) and Parenthood (1989), where he garnered acclaim for his portrayal of Garry. Despite his success as a child actor, Phoenix felt dissatisfied with the roles offered and took a hiatus, during which he traveled to Mexico with his father to learn Spanish.
Upon his return, spurred by his brother River, Phoenix resumed acting and reverted to his birth name. However, tragedy struck in 1993 when River succumbed to a drug overdose outside The Viper Room in West Hollywood. The incident thrust the family into the media spotlight, prompting them to seek solace in Costa Rica as they grappled with the loss amidst media scrutiny and speculations.

Phoenix made a notable return to acting in Gus Van Sant's 1995 black comedy To Die For, portraying Jimmy Emmett, a troubled young man ensnared in a murder plot orchestrated by a seductive woman, played by Nicole Kidman. The film, based on Joyce Maynard's novel inspired by the Pamela Smart murder case, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival to critical acclaim and commercial success. Phoenix's portrayal of Jimmy garnered praise from critics, with Janet Maslin of The New York Times lauding his raw and anguished performance, labeling him "an actor to watch for."

In 1997, Phoenix took on diverse roles, playing a small-town troublemaker in Oliver Stone's U Turn and a lovestruck man from a modest background in Inventing the Abbotts. However, both films received mixed to negative reviews and underperformed at the box office. The following year, Phoenix starred in Clay Pigeons as a young man who forms an unsettling friendship with a serial killer. Despite a dismal box office performance and lukewarm critical reception, Phoenix's performance was noted for its depth and complexity.
In 1999, Phoenix appeared in 8mm as an adult video store employee aiding Nicolas Cage's character in investigating the dark underworld of illegal pornography. The film achieved commercial success but failed to garner widespread critical acclaim. Despite the mixed reception, Phoenix's portrayal added depth to the ensemble cast, contributing to the film's box office success.