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Joaquin (pronounced /wɑ'kin/ Rafael Phoenix (born October 28, 1974), once also known as Leaf Phoenix, is an Oscar-nominated Puerto Rican-born American actor. In 2006 he won a Golden Globe for his portrayal of Johnny Cash in Walk the Line. He often plays supporting roles as conflicted, insecure characters, and often with a dark side.
Phoenix's father, John Lee Bottom, is of Irish and Spanish descent his mother, Arlyn Sharon Dunetz, was born in the Bronx to Orthodox Jewish [1] immigrants from Hungary and Russia. Shortly after they met, the two joined the Children of God and became missionaries, traveling throughout South America and adopting the surname " Phoenix" . Joaquin was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico and lived there until he was six years old. After leaving the Children of God and returning to the United States, they encouraged their children (Joaquin was the third of five) to develop their creative instincts. Since his siblings had nature-related names – " River" , " Rain" (or " Rainbow" ), " Liberty Butterfly" (or " Libertad Mariposa" ), and " Summer" – Joaquin changed his name to " Leaf" .
The family moved to Los Angeles, where his mother started working as a secretary for NBC, and his father became a landscaper. His parents hired an agent, who eventually got the five children acting work. Joaquin's first acting jobs were guest appearances on two television shows with his brother River: Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1982) and Backwards: The Riddle of Dyslexia (1984).
He made his big-screen debut in Space Camp (1986), and his first starring role was
in Russkies (1987). He went on to establish himself as a child actor in Parenthood (1989), before deciding to withdraw from acting for a while and move to Mexico with his father.
Joaquin came back into public view under tragic circumstances — he was the person who dialled 9-1-1 when his brother River Phoenix suffered a fatal drug overdose outside Hollywood nightclub The Viper Room. Joaquin was reluctant to re-enter the world of acting, but he did so at the insistence of his friends. He changed his name from " Leaf" back to " Joaquin" .
He portrayed a troubled teen in Gus Van Sant's To Die For, and has earned positive reviews for adult roles as Commodus in Gladiator (for which he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor), a priest in Quills, the washed-up baseball player Merrill Hess in M. Night Shyamalan's Signs, and stoic Lucius Hunt in Shyamalan's The Village.
He has recently admitted himself into rehab to deal with his increasing alcohol problem. He is also a chain smoker.
The scar on Joaquin's lip is popularly believed to be the result of a repaired cleft lip. However, Joaquin Phoenix has stated in interviews that his mother, while pregnant with him, felt a sharp pain one day and he was born with a scar on his lip.
In 2006, Phoenix won the " Best Actor - Musical or Comedy" Golden Globe award for his role as Johnny Cash in Walk the Line.
On January 26, a few days after his win he and another person were involved in an auto accident in the Hollywood Hills suburb in Los Angeles when his SUV flipped over and skidded onto its side. Fortunately, he suffered no serious injuries. Phoenix is expected to appear at the SAG Awards for his nomination.
Many critics predict he could possibly win an Oscar for his role in the film.
He is a Vegan and does not use or eat animal products. |
