Joaquin Phoenix

American actor Joaquin Phoenix (formerly known as Leaf Phoenix) has been cast in films Gladiator, Hotel Rwanda, Walk the Line and more. Phoenix had his big break with the teenage hit Spacecamp in 1986. His next movie Parenthood was released in 1996, and shortly after that he took a break to travel with his father in South America.

He was thrust back into the limelight when his brother River Phoenix died, as he was there and called 911 the night of his brother's much talked about overdose.

Phoenix took a few small roles after his brother's death, mostly playing conflicted, dark characters. His big break as an adult actor came with his Emmy-nominated role in Gladiator.

At a charity even in 2008, Phoenix announced his retirement from acting. He left the field to focus on his music career with the band The Lady is a Tramp.¹

Fast Facts

1. Full name: Joaquin Rafael Bottom
2. Born: October 28, 1974
3. Birthplace: San Juan, Puerto Rico
4. Joaquin's older brother River died in 1993 from drug-induced heart failure²
5. Werner Herzog saved Phoenix from a car accident in 2006

Quotes

• "My significant other right now is myself, which is what happens when you suffer from multiple personality disorder and self-obsession."

• "The expectation is this low, gravelly voice for John, but I went through his early recordings and there were songs in there where the voice was so different, I wasn't even sure if it was him singing, ... So it was interesting to me that we would see him develop the Man in Black sound. I thought it was really important that his voice change as his persona slowly solidified. The music was really the doorway into the character." - on playing Johnny Cash in Walk the Line

• "No, I don't want to talk about River. I have nothing to say about it that I would want to be public."

• "When I go out with the ladies, I don't force them to pronounce my name. I tell them I like to go by the nickname of Kitten."

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