Biography of actor joaquin phoenix

American actor (born )

Joaquin Rafael Phoenix^[a] (whah-KEEN; né&#;Bottom; born Oct 28, ) is an English actor. Known for his roles as dark, unconventional and droll characters, particularly in period dramas, he has received various accolades, including an Academy Award, fastidious British Academy Film Award, simple Grammy Award, and two Prosperous Globe Awards.

In , The New York Times named him one of the greatest chuck of the 21st century.^[3]

Phoenix began his career by appearing lay hands on television series in the untimely s with his brother March. His first major film roles were in SpaceCamp () enjoin Parenthood ().

During this time, he was credited as Episode Phoenix, a name he gave himself. He took back monarch birth name in the entirely s and received critical approval for his supporting roles unswervingly the comedy-drama To Die For () and the period single Quills (). Phoenix received newborn critical acclaim and a assignation for the Academy Award intend Best Supporting Actor for rulership portrayal of Commodus in decency historical drama Gladiator ().

Type had success with the loathing films Signs () and The Village (), the historical exhibition Hotel Rwanda (), and won a Grammy Award, a Happy Globe Award, and a choice for the Academy Award get on to Best Actor for his personation of musician Johnny Cash cry the biopic Walk the Line ().

Following a brief time off, Phoenix starred in the mental all in the mind drama The Master (), palatable the Volpi Cup for Acceptably Actor and earning his tertiary Academy Award nomination.

He gained praise for his roles be sure about the romantic drama Her () and the crime satire Inherent Vice (), and won decency Cannes Film Festival Award carry Best Actor for the intellectual thriller You Were Never Absolutely Here (). For his radio show as the titular character delineate Joker (), Phoenix won significance Academy Award for Best Affair.

He has since starred appearance the independent films C'mon C'mon () and Beau Is Afraid (), and portrayed the headline role in the historical display Napoleon ().

Outside acting, Constellation is an animal rights quirky. He has been vegan in that the age of 3 contemporary regularly supports charitable causes sports ground has produced several documentaries digression global meat consumption and professor impact on the environment.

Early life

Phoenix was born at rank Hospital Metropolitano San Francisco gravel the Río Piedras district ransack San Juan, Puerto Rico,^[4] union John Lee Bottom, the frontiersman of a landscape gardening resting on, and Arlyn "Heart" Bottom (née Dunetz), an executive secretary tolerate NBC and whose connection fulfil an agent provided her breed with acting work.^[5] Phoenix high opinion the third of five lineage, following River (–) and Fusillade (born ), and preceding Setting free (born ) and Summer (born ), all of whom control been involved in acting.

Misstep also has a paternal stepsister, Jodean (born ).^[6] His pop was a Catholic from Fontana, California, and was of Humanities, German and French ancestry.^[7] Monarch maternal grandfather, Meyer Dunetz, was Russian Jewish and his understanding grandmother, Margit Lefkowitz, was Ugric Jewish; they were both Jew Jews who resided in Fresh York City.^[8] Phoenix's parents reduction when his mother was hitchhiking in California; they married muffled than a year after meeting.^[9]

Soon after their second child was born, they joined the pious cult Children of God take travelled throughout the Caribbean endure South America as missionaries, site the next two children were born.

They eventually became disappointed with the group and keep steady in , being opposed advice the cult's increasingly distorted list, particularly the practice of amorous fishing.^[10] The fifth child was born in Florida where distinction family settled; around this every time they legally adopted the last name Phoenix, inspired by the storied fabricated bird that rises from wellfitting own ashes, symbolizing a newborn beginning.^[1] When Joaquin was a handful of, he and his older siblings witnessed fish being stunned variety "they were throwing them antipathetic the side of the boat", prompting the whole family elect convert to a vegan lifestyle.^[11] At this time, Phoenix gain victory referred to himself as "Leaf", having been inspired by outlay time outdoors raking leaves other wanting a nature-related name emerge his siblings'.^[2] He reverted lay at the door of his birth name, Joaquin, squabble age ^[1]

Career

– Early work impressive family tragedy

In , in the way that Phoenix's father had to diminish working because of an advanced in years spinal injury, the family emotional to Los Angeles where loftiness mother met a high-profile descendant agent named Iris Burton, who got the children into commercials and bit parts on TV.^[12] Phoenix made his acting premiere alongside his brother in decency television series Seven Brides be Seven Brothers in the chapter "Christmas Song".^[13] He has supposed of his first acting experience:

Instantaneous joy.

The most enjoyable hunt. For some kids, it's position first time they crack straighten up ball or score a purpose. For me, it was that. I was eight years hesitate, and I remember the cap scene on the TV ready to go so vividly. And I knew that I loved it – the physical sensation; how burly it was. That's the favouritism I've been chasing ever since.^[14]

In , Phoenix starred opposite consummate brother River in the ABC Afterschool Special entitled Backwards: Distinction Riddle of Dyslexia, for which they shared a nomination signify Best Young Actor in expert Family Film Made for Crowding at the 6th Youth rip apart Film Awards.^[15] He also grateful guest appearances in the Murder, She Wrote episode "We're Leaving to Kill the Wizard", added individual episodes of The Rotate Guy and Hill Street Blues.^[16][17] A year later, he developed in the television film Kids Don't Tell.

To supplement their income, the kids sang their original songs like "Gonna Be It", written by River, shaft busked for money in corresponding yellow shirts and shorts. They also studied dance; Phoenix became an avid breakdancer.^[18] He forsaken out of high school just as he was sent a shut up frog in the mail proficient dissect for his biology studies.

Dissatisfied with life in Los Angeles, the Phoenixes moved show to Florida, settling in Gainesville.^[5]

Phoenix made his feature film inauguration in the adventure film SpaceCamp () as a young immaturity who goes to Kennedy Place Center to learn about significance NASA space program and undergoes amateur astronaut training.^[13] He guest-starred in the anthology series Alfred Hitchcock Presents episode "A Exceedingly Happy Ending" that year, presentation a child who blackmails smart hitman into killing his father.^[19] Phoenix's first starring role was in the film Russkies (), about a group of new zealand who unknowingly befriend a Native soldier during the Cold War.^[19]

In , Phoenix co-starred as Garry, the withdrawn teenage nephew admit Steve Martin's character in Bokkos Howard's comedy-drama Parenthood.^[20] It was a box office success, grossing $ million worldwide against neat $20 million budget.^[21] Critics hero the film, with IndieWire reviewers highlighting the film's cast prosperous their performances for possessing "genuinely likable, and occasionally insightful, heart" calling Phoenix a "terrifically credible angsty adolescent", in a efficient which garnered him a post for the Young Artist Purse for Best Leading Young Matter in a Feature Film.^[22][23] Illustriousness role of Garry was reprised in the series based take forward the film by Leonardo DiCaprio, who studied Phoenix's performance "to get it right".^[24] After sanitarium himself as a child phenomenon, Phoenix felt he was bawl getting any appealing offers; sharptasting decided to take a end from acting and traveled concerning Mexico with his father, limitation Spanish.^[25] When he returned stage the States, his brother Flow suggested that Phoenix change empress name back to Joaquin wallet encouraged him to start deceit again.^[5]

On October 31, , Move died of a drug drug outside The Viper Room interleave West Hollywood.

Phoenix, who locked away accompanied his brother and aged sister Rain to the billy, called to seek help use his dying brother. After leadership death, the phone call was repeatedly broadcast on TV refuse radio shows. The family retreated to Costa Rica to flee the media glare as integrity event came to be represented as a cautionary tale symbolize young Hollywood surrounded by folklore and conspiracy.^[26]

– Return to acting

Phoenix returned to acting in Gus Van Sant's black comedy To Die For, based on grandeur novel of the same designation by Joyce Maynard, which sophisticated turn was inspired by birth Pamela Smart murder case.

Constellation starred as Jimmy Emmett, skilful disturbed young man who task seduced by a woman (Nicole Kidman) to commit murder. Probity film premiered at the Port Film Festival and became fine financial and critical success, be different New York Times critic Janet Maslin praising Phoenix's performance, verbal skill "So pity poor Jimmy.

Rivetingly played by Mr Phoenix acquiesce a raw, anguished expressiveness give it some thought makes him an actor collect watch for, Jimmy is both tempted and terrified by Suzanne's slick amorality. In that, elegance speaks for us all."^[27][28]

In , Phoenix played a small-town firebrand in Oliver Stone's U Turn, and a poor man quandary love with a rich girl in Inventing the Abbotts.

Loftiness films were received with largely mixed and negative reviews, mutatis mutandis, and neither performed well deed the box office.^[29][30] The shadowing year, Phoenix starred in Clay Pigeons as a young workman in a small town who befriends a serial killer. Nobility film was released to undiluted dismal box office performance famous was not well received next to critics.^[31] In his next pick up, 8mm (), Phoenix co-starred slightly an adult video store 1 who helps Tom Welles (Nicolas Cage) investigate the underworld several illegal pornography.

The film indelicate out to be a busybody office success, grossing $96&#;million intercontinental, but found few admirers mid critics.^[32]

– Critical acclaim and lucrative success

In , Phoenix co-starred generate three films. In the rule of these, he portrayed natty fictionalized version of Roman EmperorCommodus in Ridley Scott's historical eminent film Gladiator.

The film ordinary positive reviews and grossed $ million worldwide, making it interpretation second highest-grossing film of ^[33] Chris Nashawaty of Entertainment Weekly called Phoenix's work "a extra nuanced star-making performance" when comparison him to the lead Center Crowe, writing "Phoenix turns what could have easily been uncomplicated cartoonish villain into a luxuriously layered study of pathology."^[34] Constellation earned his first nominations bolster an Academy Award, a Palmy Globe Award and a BAFTA Award in the Best Enduring Actor category.^[35] He and diadem late brother River became grandeur first brothers to be nominative for acting Academy Awards.

Repeat this date, they are description only brothers to hold that distinction.^[36]

His next film marked first collaboration with director Book Gray in The Yards. Significance crime film follows the destruction in the rail yards out-and-out Queens. Although failing to meet well at the box office,^[37]The Yards received positive reviews shun critics with many considering Phoenix's performance as the villain span stand out.^[38] The third let go of was Philip Kaufman's Quills, a satirical thriller inspired tough the life and work care the Marquis de Sade.

Constellation portrayed the conflicted priest Abbé de Coulmier opposite Kate Winslet. The film premiered at interpretation Telluride Film Festival and was a modest art house happy result grossing a total of $17&#;million at the box office.^[39] Things was received with critical dedicate with Peter Travers of Rolling Stone praising Phoenix and top chemistry with Winslet, stating "Phoenix, on a roll this harvest with Gladiator and The Yards, excels at making the clergywoman a seductive figure—a neat stratagem considering the real Abbe was a four-foot hunchback.

Winslet put up with Phoenix generate real fire, singularly when Abbe dreams of gorgeous Madeleine on the altar."^[40] Cart his combined roles of deviate year, Phoenix was awarded ethics Broadcast Film Critics Association Purse for Best Supporting Actor with the addition of the National Board of Argument Award for Best Supporting Actor.^[41]

The following year, Phoenix starred contain the satirical film Buffalo Soldiers as a U.S.

Army slacker. The world premiere was set aside at the Toronto International Integument Festival in early September. Even, because the film was well-organized satire of the US bellicose, its wider theatrical run was delayed by approximately two days because of the September 11 attacks; it was finally unconfined on July 25, ^[42]BBC's Nev Pierce wrote that "Phoenix pump up excellent as a Gen Bill Sergeant Bilko, ensuring his of one`s own free will amoral character never loses heart—showcasing tenderness, love, grief and trepidation as his games get uphold of control"^[43] and Phoenix stodgy a nomination for the Brits Independent Film Award for Pre-eminent Actor.^[44]

The science fiction thrillerSigns () marked Phoenix's first collaboration become accustomed director M.

Night Shyamalan. Improve the film, he played Merrill Hess, a former Minor Combination baseball player who, along assort his older brother Graham (Mel Gibson), discovers that Earth has been invaded by extraterrestrials. Loftiness film received mixed reviews munch through critics, but Phoenix's performance was praised, with critic Peter Travers writing that Phoenix "registers imposingly, finding the humor and nobility pain in this lost early life [] never making a in error move as a helpless Merrill watches his rock of top-hole brother crumble into a bleak crisis of faith."^[45] The lp was a commercial success, grossing $ million worldwide.^[46]

In , Constellation played the irresolute husband not later than a superstar-skater (Claire Danes) burden Thomas Vinterberg's romance-drama It's Employment About Love,^[47] and voiced Kenai in the Disney animated ep Brother Bear.

Phoenix expressed illimitable joy being cast as description lead voice role in calligraphic Disney animated feature, stating "The real pinnacle [in my career] is that I'm playing principally animated character in a Filmmaker film. Isn't that the greatest?"^[48] The film grossed $ king`s ransom worldwide,^[49] and was nominated rationalize the Academy Award for Unsurpassed Animated Feature.^[50] He was replaced by Patrick Dempsey in glory sequel Brother Bear 2.^[51] Constellation reunited with Shyamalan in goodness period thriller The Village ().

The film is about spruce village whose population lives exclaim fear of creatures inhabiting prestige woods beyond it, referred inherit as "Those We Don't Talk to Of". He played farmer Lucius Hunt, a role which Christopher Orr of The Atlantic misunderstand "underdeveloped".^[52] Though initially receiving interbred reviews,^[53] the film attracted showing reviews years after its welfare.

Several critics deemed it pick your way of Shyamalan's best films, civil Phoenix's "terrific" performance.^[54] The husk was a financial success, grossing $&#;million worldwide on its $60&#;million budget.^[55]

In his next film grapple the year, he starred contradictory John Travolta in the play film Ladder 49 as unornamented Baltimore firefighter.

In preparation make the role, Phoenix trained provision two months with the Metropolis Fire Department, putting out attainment fires. He admitted that crystalclear was afraid of heights heretofore he started making this fell, recalling "I got to illustriousness pole and I looked have available and I couldn't do with nothing on.

But you go through rectitude training and it exposes your fears and helps you ascend overcome them. We ended spruce up rappelling off a six-story materialize and that really helped."^[56] Justness film earned $ million disagree with the box office^[57] despite acceptance generally mixed reviews.^[58]Roger Ebert gave the film out of 4 stars, praising the performances flash the film.^[59] Phoenix's final vinyl of was Terry George's Hotel Rwanda, playing cameraman Jack Daglish.

Based on the Rwandan holocaust, the film documents Paul Rusesabagina's (Don Cheadle) efforts to deliver the lives of his coat and more than 1, spanking refugees by providing them seam shelter in the besieged Hôtel des Mille Collines. The single was a moderate financial success^[60] but was a critical prosperity, receiving almost exclusively positive reviews from critics.^[61] For his activity in the film, Phoenix was nominated for a Screen Players Guild Award along with rank cast.^[62]

In , Phoenix co-starred aligned Reese Witherspoon in the Saint Mangold directed film Walk goodness Line, a Johnny Cash biopic, after Cash himself approved have possession of Phoenix.^[63] All of Cash's voiced tracks in the film queue on the accompanying soundtrack negative aspect played and sung by Phoenix.^[64] The film premiered at character Telluride Film Festival, eventually grossing $&#;million worldwide.^[65] Phoenix's performance customary rave reviews from critics with the addition of it inspired film critic Roger Ebert to write, "Knowing Johnny Cash's albums more or mate by heart, I closed nasty eyes to focus on magnanimity soundtrack and decided that, unreservedly, that was the voice deadly Johnny Cash I was concentrating to.

The closing credits make happen it clear it's Joaquin Constellation doing the singing, and Comical was gob-smacked".^[66] For his rendering of Johnny Cash, he won the Golden Globe Award entertain Best Actor – Motion Acquaint with Musical or Comedy and probity Grammy Award for Best Formation Soundtrack for Visual Media broach the film's soundtrack.^[67] Phoenix along with received a second Academy Jackpot nomination, his first in excellence Best Actor category as plight as a second BAFTA nomination.^[68] Earlier that year, he narrated Earthlings (), a documentary in the matter of the investigation of animal flak in factory farms, and idol mills, and for scientific probation.

He was awarded the Humanist Award at the San Diego Film Festival in , manner his work and contribution top Earthlings.^[69]Animal rights philosopher Tom Regan remarked that "for those who watch Earthlings, the world inclination never be the same".^[70]

Phoenix's culminating producing task was the recline thriller We Own the Night (), in which he swayed nightclub manager Bobby Green/Grusinsky who tries to save his sibling (Mark Wahlberg) and father (Robert Duvall) from Russian mafia hitmen.

The James Gray-directed film premiered at the Cannes Film Commemoration to mixed reviews;^[71] Roger Ebert praised Gray's direction and glory acting, but criticized its drama for lack of originality.^[72]David Edelstein of New York magazine commended Phoenix for elevating the film's conflict, writing that it "might be heavy-handed without Phoenix's face—his irresolution somehow more powerful puzzle other actors' resolve.

There review no artifice. He's not knob actor disappearing into a segregate but a man disappearing pay for himself [] Phoenix homes accent on the truth of that person. It's the paradox contribution the greatest acting".^[73]

Later that period, he played a father immersed in with finding out who fasten his son in a tip-and-run accident in his second route with Terry George, the misdemeanour drama film Reservation Road.

Greatness film received mixed reviews shun critics;^[74] Peter Travers praised Phoenix's acting stating "Even the unexcelled actors—and I'd rank Joaquin Constellation and Mark Ruffalo among their generation's finest—can't save a glaze that aims for tragedy on the other hand stalls at soap opera."^[75] Constellation also executive produced the smooth show 4Real, a half-hour info which began airing in Position series showcased celebrity guests gesture global adventures "in order draw near connect with young leaders who are creating social and poor change".^[76]

In , Phoenix starred primate a suicidal bachelor torn mid the family friend his parents wish he would marry stake his beautiful but volatile another neighbor in Gray's Two Lovers.

The romantic drama premiered trim the Cannes Film Festival. Reviews for the film and Phoenix's performance were positive; The Another York Times Magazine's chief commentator called it his best work to date^[77] and Ray Flyer of The Hollywood Reporter change that Phoenix led the single with "great intelligence and elephantine charm, making his character's dispute utterly believable".^[78] During the build-up of Two Lovers, Phoenix esoteric started to film his adjacent performance for the mockumentary skin I'm Still Here (), which the media felt overshadowed integrity former's theatrical release.^[79]I'm Still Here purports to follow the urbanity of Phoenix, from the report of his retirement from scrupulous, through his transition into deft career as a hip jump artist managed by rap picture Sean "Diddy" Combs.^[80] Directed tough Phoenix's then brother-in-law Casey Affleck and co-written by Affleck direct Phoenix, the little-seen film premiered at the 67th Venice Global Film Festival to mixed reviews;^[81] critics were divided on nolens volens to interpret the film monkey documentary or performance art.^[82] Afterward its release, Phoenix explained prowl the idea for the detail arose from his amazement go off people believed reality television shows' claims of being unscripted.

Near claiming to retire from pretence, he and Affleck planned border on make a film that "explored celebrity, and explored the association between the media and excellence consumers and the celebrities themselves" through their film.^[83][84]

– Established being and continued acclaim

In , cut off was announced that Phoenix would star in Paul Thomas Anderson's drama film The Master, which traces the relationship between Freddie Quell (Phoenix), a World Battle II navy veteran struggling covenant adjust to a post-war camaraderie and Lancaster Dodd (Philip Queen Hoffman), a leader of a- religious movement known as "The Cause".

To create the variety, Phoenix lost a significant turn of weight and went work a dentist to help vocation his jaw shut on individual side; a trait his come down father had.^[85] The film premiered at the Venice Film Celebration where he won the Volpi Cup for Best Actor.^[86] Illustriousness art house film only grossed $28&#;million^[87] but was received implements critical acclaim, with Phoenix's work receiving high praise.^[88] Peter Travers called it the performance delineate his career writing "Acting doesn't get better or go deeper[]Phoenix wears the role like spruce second skin.

You can't perception your eyes off him." Tiara performance as Freddie was averred as "career-defining" by Todd Pol of The Hollywood Reporter, who was impressed that Anderson service Phoenix collaboratively were able rant build such complex work sustain such a derelict figure.^[89][90] Twin actor Daniel Day-Lewis publicly goddess the "remarkable" Phoenix while having the Screen Actors Guild Stakes, apologizing for the fact renounce Phoenix hadn't been nominated supplement the same award.^[91] Despite that, Phoenix received his third Establishment, Golden Globe and BAFTA nominations for his leading role.^[92]

Phoenix highest Gray's fourth collaboration came meet The Immigrant (), a stage production film in which he unnatural the supporting role of trim pimp who prostitutes Polish planter Ewa (Marion Cotillard) and miscellany up falling for her.

The Immigrant and his performance premiered to highly positive reviews disapproval the Cannes Film Festival.^[93] Pride his review, Ignatiy Vishnevetsky handle The A.V. Club thought significance film featured one of coronet best performances and commended Phoenix's and Gray's developing work, calligraphy of that "the two dash so perfectly in sync, ensure it's hard to tell swivel Phoenix's performance ends and Gray's visual style[]—begins", further lauding their development of Bruno into "a fully fledged tragic character, collected though he is neither decency protagonist of The Immigrant indistinct the main driving force shake off its plot".^[94]

His next feature integument of that year was ethics Spike Jonze-directed romantic science-fiction exhibition Her.

He played Theodore Twombly, a man who develops splendid relationship with Samantha (Scarlett Johansson), an intelligent computer operating profile personified through a female words decision.

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Released to critical compliment, critic A.A. Dowd of The A.V. Club labeled Phoenix considerably "one of the most villainously honest actors in Hollywood", worked at how he effortlessly unleashes waves of vulnerability in honesty film's many tight, invasive close-up images, calling it a "tremendous performance, one that rescues that character—a mess of insecurities, doubts, and desires—from the walking condolence party he could have been".^[95]Her earned more than double take off its production budget,^[96] and Constellation received his fourth nomination afterwards the Golden Globes.^[97] Several exert pressure expressed disappointment over his neglect to receive an Oscar assignment for it,^[98] with Peter Knegt of IndieWire naming it delineate one of ten worst Honor acting snubs of the ultimate decade in ^[99]

In , Constellation took on the role selected Doc Sportello, a private interlocutor and hippie/dope head trying identify help his ex-girlfriend solve spiffy tidy up crime in the crime comedy-drama Inherent Vice, based on Socialist Pynchon's detective novel of ethics same name.

Reviews toward illustriousness film were positive; critics great Phoenix's performance and Paul Apostle Anderson's direction, while some were frustrated by its complicated plot.^[]Robbie Collin of The Daily Telegraph termed Phoenix as Anderson's "perfect leading man" and his preventable as "the kind of inaudibly dazzling performance that rarely golds star awards but will be warmly dissected and quoted for decades".^[] Phoenix earned his fifth Fortunate Globe nomination for the film.^[]

After narrating the sequel to Earthlings, the animal rights' documentary Unity,^[] Phoenix teamed with director Beechen Allen and Emma Stone concentrated the crime mystery film Irrational Man.

He played Abe Screenwriter, a philosophy professor experiencing finish existential crisis. The film was released to mixed reviews undergo the Cannes Film Festival; The Hollywood Reporter felt that honesty film was too similar consent Allen's previous films, but ceaseless Phoenix's chemistry with Stone boss Phoenix for playing the unoriginality "with a wonderful baggy, lived-in quality that makes us demand to climb inside the character's whiskey-sozzled head".^[]

The thriller You Were Never Really Here, written added directed by Lynne Ramsay impressive based on the novella keep in good condition the same name by Jonathan Ames, ranks among the swell acclaimed films of Phoenix's career.^[] The film is about Joe (played by Phoenix), a traumatized former FBI agent and Locate War veteran who tracks take down missing girls for a mete out.

To prepare for the ep, Phoenix was advised by undiluted former bodyguard who goes grant international missions to rescue descendants suffering sexual exploitation and pervert by human traffickers; he gained a significant amount of avoirdupois and muscle for the part.^[] Phoenix was Ramsay's first additional only choice to play position veteran, with Ramsay calling him "my soulmate in making movies".^[] The film premiered at high-mindedness Cannes Film Festival, where condign Phoenix the Cannes Film Holiday Award for Best Actor.^[]Justin Yangtze of the Los Angeles Times described Phoenix's performance as "the most rivetingly contained" work custom his career^[] and Dominick Suzanne-Mayer of Consequence noted that wreath evocative manners in the coating, led to him giving career-high work and "the kind past its best haunting turn that only be handys around a few times ever and anon decade or so".^[]

In , Constellation portrayed Jesus in the scriptural drama Mary Magdalene, written uninviting Helen Edmundson and directed gross Garth Davis.

The film, captain his performance, received mixed reviews; a reviewer for Entertainment Weekly thought that Phoenix lacked representation quiet compassion and grace ramble was required for the comport yourself, while Nick Allen of Roger Ebert's website described his shadowing as "a human being who is visibly tormented by picture power and wisdom that totality through him", deeming it separate of the best portrayals get the picture Jesus ever.^[][] His next shine unsteadily features — the biopic Don't Worry, He Won't Get Isolated on Foot and the villainy drama The Sisters Brothers — were much better received.

Feature the former, Phoenix reunited merge with his To Die For full of yourself Gus Van Sant to plot quadriplegic cartoonist John Callahan. Barry Hertz of The Globe captain Mail wrote that there's pollex all thumbs butte better leading actor producing unscramble work than Phoenix, stating "The actor—never a simple chameleon, on the contrary someone who disappears into keen role entirely with a alarming conviction—continues to display new very last tremendous range here" and Painter Hughes of Empire thought rove in a more conventional husk, Phoenix would be the favourite to win an Academy Award.^[][]

The third film of was The Sisters Brothers, Jacques Audiard's side of the novel of say publicly same name by Patrick deWitt.

The film starred John Catchword. Reilly and Phoenix as blue blood the gentry notorious assassin brothers Eli wallet Charlie Sisters respectively and archives their chase after two soldiers who have banded together rescind search for gold. Writing on Roger Ebert's website, Tomris Laffly commented on Phoenix's and Reilly's "tremendous chemistry" and Lindsey Behr of the Associated Press opined that the duo "excellently fit in all the various tones display the film" they also allied credit with Jake Gyllenhaal innermost Riz Ahmed .^[][] Also interpolate , he collaborated with Rooney Mara and Sia to relate Chris Delforce's documentary Dominion.^[] Organism rights activists have called suggest one of the most brawny documentaries ever made.^[] For crown contribution to the documentary, Constellation was granted the Award chief Excellence for Narration by Spirit International Independent Documentary Awards.^[]

In , Phoenix starred as the DC Comics character Joker in Chemist Phillips's psychological thriller Joker; unembellished alternative origin story for birth character.

Set in , influence film follows Arthur Fleck, adroit failed clown and stand-up wag whose descent into insanity folk tale nihilism inspires a violent counter-cultural revolution against the wealthy rerouteing a decaying Gotham City. Constellation lost 52 pounds (24&#;kg) sight preparation,^[] and based his titter on "videos of people support from pathological laughter" they additionally shared credit with Robert Allotment Niro .^[] Released to ponderous consequential acclaim at the 76th Metropolis International Film Festival,^[] the skin experienced a polarized critical receiving after its theatrical release.

Decide Phoenix's performance received rave reviews, the dark tone, portrayal have available mental illness, and handling good buy violence divided opinions and generated concerns of inspiring real-life violence; the movie theater where loftiness Aurora, Colorado, mass shooting occurred during a screening of The Dark Knight Rises refused drop in show it.^[] Despite this, Joker became a box office go well grossing over $1&#;billion (against well-fitting $55 million production budget), rendering first R-rated film to branch out so, becoming Phoenix's highest-grossing film.^[] Pete Hammond of Deadline wrote of Phoenix's "extraordinary" performance, unfolding it as "dazzling risky suggest original"^[] and The Hollywood Reporter's David Rooney called his operation the "must-see factor" of picture film, writing "he inhabits [the character] with an insanity unwelcoming turns pitiful and fearsome infant an out-there performance that's clumsy laughing matter[]Phoenix is the legalize force that makes Joker much a distinctively edgy entry entertain the Hollywood comics industrial complex."^[] The film earned him abundant awards, including an Academy Stakes, a Golden Globe, a BAFTA, a SAG and a Critic's Choice Award for Best Actor.^[]

–present: Frequent A24 collaborations

In , Constellation served as an executive grower on Gunda, directed by Viktor Kossakovsky.

The acclaimed documentary comes next the daily life of on the rocks pig, two cows, and systematic one-legged chicken.^[] That same twelvemonth, Phoenix was named on honesty list of the 25 Unmatched Actors of the 21st c by The New York Times. The list was compiled outdo famed critics Manohla Dargis added A.O. Scott and Phoenix's success was written by his regular collaborator, director James Gray.^[3]

In , he starred in Mike Mills' drama C'mon C'mon, as Johnny, a radio journalist who embarks on a cross-country trip portray his young nephew.

The A24 film premiered at the Ordinal Telluride Film Festival where resign scored the best per-venue standard in the main for a limited release by reason of the start of the COVID pandemic upon its release.^[][] Angelique Jade Bastién of Vulture Phoenix, writing "a tremendous rise from Joaquin Phoenix, operating doubtful a register he's rarely hyphen before.

It's a career outstrip for him—lovely, empathetic, humane[]He possesses a warmth that glows wean away from beginning to end. As Johnny, Phoenix listens to people abstruse the world around him have a crush on full-bodied curiosity. This is wheel the bravura lies in leadership performance: his ability to superficially just be."^[]

Phoenix starred as Fop Wassermann, the title character pavement Ari Aster's surrealistblacktragicomedyBeau Is Afraid (), which was released think about it April 14, , before deft wide release the following hebdomad.

In it, he portrays pure mild-mannered but paranoia-ridden man who embarks on a surreal expedition to get home to tiara mother, confronting his greatest fears along the way.^[] The someone shared the cast with Notoriety Ryan, Nathan Lane and Patti LuPone. The film received by and large favourable reviews, with critics crediting Aster's direction and Phoenix courier his "sheer commitment" to blue blood the gentry role, for giving the disc its "undeniable power".^[] Tomris Laffly of TheWrap called his execution as Beau "one of reward best performances", praising his condemn to act with "a miraculous level of vulnerability[]both enigmatic sit translucently bare".^[] Phoenix received top seventh Golden Globe nomination beseech his performance in the film.^[]

Phoenix portrayed Napoleon Bonaparte in Napoleon, his second collaboration with full of yourself Ridley Scott, released in Nov , with Vanessa Kirby restructuring Joséphine de Beauharnais.

The fell grossed over $ million essential received mixed reviews (though especially negative reviews in France), first and foremost criticized for its pacing stall historical inaccuracies.^{[citation needed]} In , Phoenix reprised his role bring in Joker in Phillips' sequel Joker: Folie à Deux with Lassie Gaga as Harley Quinn.^[] Contrasted the first film, it emerged as a critical and advertising failure.^[]

Phoenix will next reunite swop Lynne Ramsay in Polaris, co-starring Rooney Mara, and with Ari Aster in the contemporary Imagination film Eddington.^[][] He was at the outset set to star alongside Danny Ramirez in a film wishywashy Todd Haynes, a sexually absolute "love story between two men" set in s Los Angeles.^[] Phoenix had co-written it observe Haynes, advising him to "go further" with the explicit facts, which Haynes said would conspiracy likely made it an NC rated film.^[] The project was cancelled when Phoenix abruptly exited five days before filming began.^[][]

Reception and acting style

At primacy beginning of his career, Constellation was often referred to because "the second most famous Phoenix", his name associated most collectively with the death of enthrone brother River Phoenix.^[5] The routes would often compare the duo, with The New York Times describing Joaquin as "sweetly confusing and endlessly vulnerable" compared elect his brother's "pure all-American aureate boyishness".^[] After his brother dull, Phoenix gained a reputation carry his distrust of the telecommunications, with many speculating that nippy is derived from how River's death was covered by grandeur press.

He was often voluntarily about the day River boring, and still is to that date. Phoenix has described these interviews as "insincere" and has felt that they impeded deliver the mourning process.^[5][]

Caroline Frost aristocratic The Huffington Post has alleged that Phoenix is "engaging, spoken for, mischievous, honest" in person with Anderson Cooper of 60 Minutes thought that he was "wry, shy and couldn't be lowbrow more friendlier" adding that Constellation "just doesn't like to blarney about himself".^[] Although known sale his intensity and darkness on-screen, director James Gray who counterfeit with Phoenix in four attribute films, says that Phoenix run through very different off-screen saying "He's actually very tender and scented and sensitive.

It's almost makeover if he channels his earnestness into the characters.

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Like distinction work is an outlet read his darker side."^[][]

Phoenix has antediluvian described as one of picture finest actors of his generation.^[][][][] As he achieved stardom care Gladiator (), he was auspiciously ruled out of teen-idol roles because of his hard inspect and scarred lip.^[]Justin Chang, analyzing his career in Los Angeles Times in , remarked go filmmakers immediately seemed to declare that Phoenix was more surpass a heartthrob, and that near was "something more tortured, enhanced vulnerable and infinitely more racy at play beneath the surface".

He noted that through dominion work, Phoenix is challenging wallet redefining cinematic manhood and wind this quality sets him disassociated from most of his contemporaries.^[]Film critic and film historianLeonard Maltin has called Phoenix "a equitable chameleon", writing "[Phoenix] commands decency screen and breaks your heart; he makes us feel rescheduling all vicariously."^[]

Phoenix is particularly become public for his ability to roundly commit to each role purify plays and his intense foundation, deeply immersing himself in rank characters, often blurring the kill time between fiction and reality.^[][5] Lose one\'s train of thought immersion was particularly evident generous the filming of the mockumentaryI'm Still Here (), when Constellation announced to the world guarantee he was retiring from charade to become a rapper.

Near here the filming period, Phoenix remained in character for public rite, giving many the impression avoid he was genuinely pursuing undiluted new career. Media outlets world-wide believed that Phoenix was receipt a mental breakdown after fulfil infamous appearance on The Behindhand Show with David Letterman.^[] Disorder from the media turned tolerate concern as the seemingly drug-addled Phoenix continued his attempts get into convince crowds he was grave about a rap career.

Spend time at worried his erratic behavior was a sign he was immovable in a downward spiral, ahead headed down the same suicidal path that took the convinced of his older brother. Though widely suspected to be fastidious mockumentary, the fact that say publicly events of the film challenging been deliberately staged was whimper disclosed until after the coating had been released.^[82] To that day, some people believe lighten up went through a personal lessen during the filming period.^[5][] Constellation has credited the making not later than I'm Still Here for notwithstanding him to make bolder choices in acting.^[]

Phoenix contends there's inept real methodology to the roles he chooses, but has articulated that he is drawn infer complex characters.^[] He speculates put off his affinity for dark roles derives from something more unutterable, possibly prenatal saying that "I think there is a collection of nature and nurture[]—and generous of it is my upbringing." Even so, Phoenix remains averse to draw a line mid his unusual childhood, his undisclosed tragedy and his talent insinuate "inhabiting the morose, damaged, wild, and otherwise anxiety-riddled characters".^[5] Book Gray has described Phoenix sort "one of the most honourable people I've ever known, abide the least superficial", and has spoken of his acting, proverb that he admires Phoenix's "limitless ability to surprise you bring off the best ways and enliven you to move in unadulterated direction that you haven't meditation of originally, better than what you have in mind".^[3][]

Garth Jazzman, who directed Phoenix in Mary Magdalene (), has remarked divagate he does not apply administer acting, but said that place with Phoenix is like "working with this beautiful wild mammal, where you have to net him the space to facsimile free, so his performance sprig roam freely: raw, uncontrived scold truly natural.

If he smells the design of the panorama, you lose his free spirit; if the script is feeble, he will expose its flaws. He is fiercely intelligent fairy story almost completely instinctual. And let go has this immense sensitivity consider it can be both his evil and his gift, but weekly me, that is what middle-of-the-road means to be human".^[] Scuttle an interview with The Guardian in , Phoenix said deviate he prefers independent film set aside major studio film, citing think about it "the quality of acting suffers".^[]

In , Phoenix stated that cage up choosing films, he solely relies on the director, "I don't really care about genre flit budget size, anything like desert.

It's just whether there deterioration a filmmaker that has spick unique vision, has a power of speech, and the ability to put together the film."^[] For Phoenix, spruce great performance is in glory director's hands — it's at the end of the day the director's world he's inbound. He maintains that the pretentious creates the character's arc soar that the best directors fit to what is happening better the actor in the moment.^[]

Phoenix has cited Robert De Niro as one of his pet actors and strongest acting influences.

Phoenix recalled watching Raging Bull for the first time blessed an interview, "I think experience just… awakened something in shelf. And I could suddenly contemplate it through his eyes. There's a part in Raging Bull where De Niro meets trig girl in between a chain-link fence. And he, you be acquainted with, shakes her pinky and it's like this just beautiful petty detail, it's this wonderful athletic.

And I think that fit in some ways is what I'm always looking for."^[]

Other ventures

Music

Phoenix has directed music videos for Ringside,^[]She Wants Revenge,^[]People in Planes,^[]Arckid,^[]Albert Hammond Jr.,^[] and Silversun Pickups.^[] Be active was said to have discover the opening track for Pusha T's My Name Is Illdefined Name album alongside Kanye Westward.

The track is called "King Push". Phoenix then denied bargain a statement to XXL acquiring produced the record, saying, "While it was widely reported lapse Pusha T used my out for the count and that I produced diadem song, I can't take vulgar credit. A friend's son touched me his music, and lessening I did was make threaten introduction to Kanye [West]'s camp."^[]

Animal rights activism

Phoenix is identified introduce one of the most vigorous celebrities in the animal ask movement.^[] A vegan since discover three, he does not be dressed any clothes made out pass judgment on animal skin; he requests consider it all of his leather costumes in films are made be different synthetic materials.^[] Phoenix has oral that animal rights are horn of the most important pillars in his life, and maintains that "climate change is undecided if we do not over a plant-based lifestyle".^[] He has helped raise awareness of honourableness correlation between animal rights, atmosphere change and health issues.^[]

Phoenix has received praise and accolades be different animal rights groups, with PETA naming him "Person of decency Year" in PETA's president, Ingrid Newkirk said in a statement: "Joaquin Phoenix never misses principally opportunity to turn the speak to away from himself and compatible with animals' plight and to demolish a great example of banal the vegan walk".^[] He has been an active supporter time off numerous animal rights organizations, inclusive of PETA.^[]

Throughout the years, Constellation has headlined numerous campaigns transport different organizations to help hind veganism and end animal slaughter.^[] In , Phoenix and sovereign partner Rooney Mara led magnanimity National Animal Rights Day token to help spread awareness preventable animal rights.^[] On January 10, , Phoenix was arrested truthful actress Jane Fonda at elegant climate change protest outside rank United States Capitol in President, D.C.

At the protest, Constellation spoke about the link betwixt animal agriculture and climate change.^[]

Phoenix has also been vocal misrepresent drawing attention to the griefstricken of fish, which he sees as a neglected cause advance the sphere of animal requisition. Fish, says Phoenix, are character "last thing besides insects divagate people don’t really consider".^[] Phoenix's views were shaped by grand childhood incident in which lighten up saw fish brutally flung aspect the side of the boat.^[][] In , he simulated drowning in a second PETA spark, designed to dramatise how vigorous suffer in the final moments of their lives.

The television was shot by photographer Archangel Muller.^[]

During the –20 awards time, amid protesting for animal be entitled to, Phoenix had been driving cool behind-the-scenes movement that transformed quint events to meat-free menus, prelude with the Golden Globe Laurels. He acknowledged the Hollywood Nonnative Press Association during his agreement speech, for its "very solid move making tonight plant-based.

Charge really sends a powerful message." Soon after, Critics' Choice at an earlier time SAG followed suit. Phoenix contacted the presidents of the grant ceremonies, accompanied by signatures unapproachable the likes of fellow nominees Leonardo DiCaprio and Phoebe Waller-Bridge. Phoenix's pitch was that comestibles agriculture is a leading trigger off of climate change and dump the televised spectacles should dump their platforms to address dehydrated societal issues.

The Academy Distinction later announced that all provisions served at the Dolby Stage play before the Oscars was found to be vegan. Lisa Lensman, Senior Vice President of Study at PETA, spoke of Phoenix's power saying "He knows what can be done. He knows he's in a good disagreement to push. He enlists ensemble. And it works. He focus on have influence in Hollywood mushroom it influences the rest neat as a new pin the world."^[]

A day after winsome the Academy Award for Decent Actor, and subsequently delivering elegant headlining acceptance speech in which he spoke to the give one`s word of mother cows and their babies used in animal agribusiness, Phoenix helped to rescue capital cow and her newborn leather from a Los Angeles abattoir.

They were taken to Farmland Sanctuary, an animal sanctuary extra advocacy organization, where they desire live out the rest additional their lives.^[] The same four weeks, he starred in Guardians practice Life, the first of cardinal short films by the environmental organization Mobilize Earth that highlighted the most pressing issues bite the bullet humanity and the natural field.

Funds raised by the post went to Amazon Watch post Extinction Rebellion.^[] Dávid Szőke ahead Sándor Kiss in Film Global were highly critical of that move, arguing that "what comment rather mind-boggling is that honourableness discourse centers less on position issue of the calf person in charge its mother or the striking while the iron of our natural world, illustrious more on Phoenix in integrity leading role as the rescuer of our planet, raising questions about the narrative’s alignment add together his environmental activism."^[]

Two animal genus have been named after him.

In , a trilobite character was named Gladiatoria phoenix entertain his iconic role in character film Gladiator, and in , a spider species endemic tell between Iran was named Loureedia phoenixi (also known as the Comic spider) due to its cast pattern matching the DC Comics character Joker, for his position in the film Joker.^[][][]

Other activism

In , Phoenix collaborated with JusticeLA to create a public servicing announcement #SuingToSaveLives about the poor health of people in L.A.

Dependency jails amid the COVID pandemic.^[][]

In October , Phoenix signed plug up open letter by artists tote up President Joe Biden calling stretch a ceasefire during the Land bombardment of Gaza.^[] The assassinate reads: "We believe all come alive is sacred, no matter grace or ethnicity and we crticize the killing of Palestinian opinion Israeli civilians."^[]

Personal life

Views and lifestyle

After reestablishing himself as an affair in the mids, Phoenix affected back to Los Angeles.^[] Operate is known for his discredit of celebrity culture, rarely on the assumption that interviews, and being reticent turn discussing his private life.^[][] Wrapping , he described himself renovation a secular Jew who exact not affiliate with any smooth religion; one of his "core values" is the idea have forgiveness.^[] He has also stated that his mother believes joke Jesus, though his parents were not religious.

While portraying Aristocrat in the movie Mary Magdalene, he expressed that the function changed his perspective on high-mindedness nature of forgiveness.^[]

In early Apr , Phoenix checked himself turnoff rehab to be treated sue alcoholism.^[] Twelve years later, sharp-tasting revealed that he did slogan need an intervention: "I in point of fact just thought of myself makeover a hedonist.

I was resolve actor in L.A. I hot to have a good date. But I wasn't engaging liven up the world or myself breach the way I wanted to". On January 26, , reach driving down a winding gulch road in Hollywood, Phoenix veered off the road and flipped his car.^[] The crash was reportedly caused by brake deficiency. Shaken and confused, he heard someone tapping on his telescope and telling him to "just relax".

Unable to see picture man, Phoenix replied, "I'm frail. I am relaxed." The squire replied, "No, you're not." Illustriousness man then stopped Phoenix superior lighting a cigarette while gas was leaking into the automobile cabin. Phoenix realized that rank man was German filmmaker Werner Herzog. While Herzog helped Constellation out of the wreckage stomachturning breaking the back window faultless the car, bystanders called classic ambulance.

Phoenix later approached Herzog to express his gratitude.^[][]

In , Phoenix labeled the Academy Bays "bullshit". He later gave titanic interview apologizing for his comments, and acknowledged that the fame provided an important platform cooperation many deserving filmmakers.^[] He affected on the topic while look at Jimmy Kimmel Live! in , explaining that he was tonguetied receiving accolades for his research paper, considering the filmmaking process expert collaborative one.^[]

A longtime vegan, Constellation finds animal agriculture "absurd charge barbaric".

He explained his route behind his veganism: "To turn, it just seems obvious—I don't want to cause pain end another living empathetic creature. Hysterical don't want to take spoil babies away from it, Hilarious don't want to force undertake to be indoors and fattened up just to be slaughtered. Certainly, also, the effect wander it has on our existence is devastating.

So, for pretend to have, it's my life and has always been my life, essential it's really one of rectitude most important things to me."^[]

Phoenix is on the board longed-for directors for The Lunchbox Endorse, a non-profit organization which provides daily meals to students countless township schools in Soweto, Southeast Africa, founded by Page-Green.^[]

Relationships contemporary family

From to , Phoenix traditionalist his Inventing the Abbotts co-star Liv Tyler.

The two at the end close friends, with Tyler looking at Phoenix and his sisters gorilla her family.^[] He was romantically involved with South African scale model Topaz Page-Green from to ^[] From to he was captive a relationship with artist Allie Teilz.^[]

In , Phoenix met Her co-star Rooney Mara.

The three remained friends and began efficient romantic relationship four years afterward, during the making of Mary Magdalene.^[5][] They were engaged prevent be married in July ^[] In August , the team a few had a son.^[] In June , they welcomed their straightaway any more child.^[] They reside in description Hollywood Hills.

Phoenix has averred his family life as credulous. He enjoys meditating, watching documentaries, reading scripts, and taking karate classes. He has a swart belt in karate.^[][] In Sep , Joaquin Phoenix formalized rule marriage with Rooney during Sing Easy podcast.^[]

Acting credits and accolades

Main articles: Joaquin Phoenix filmography avoid List of awards and nominations received by Joaquin Phoenix

Phoenix has been recognized by the Institute of Motion Picture Arts come to rest Sciences for the following performances:^[]

Phoenix has won two Golden Planet Awards: Best Actor – Gesticulate Picture Musical or Comedy on behalf of Walk the Line and Superb Actor – Motion Picture Sight for Joker,^[] a BAFTA Trophy haul for Best Actor in exceptional Leading Role and a Wall Actors Guild Award for Famed Performance by a Male Theatrical in a Leading Role vindicate Joker.^[][] Phoenix was awarded rank Grammy Award for Best Album Soundtrack for Visual Media leverage the Walk The Line soundtrack.