| Full Name | Joaquín Rafael Bottom |
| Age | 48 |
| Birthday | October 28, 1974 |
| Birth Sign | Scorpio |
| Born | Puerto Rico |
| Relationship | Married to Rooney Mara |
| Children | 1 son |
| Height | 5′ 8′′ |
| Net Worth | $50 million |
| Social Media | Twitter, Instagram |
Early Life
Born in Puerto Rico to parents involved with the controversial Children of God religious group, Phoenix moved frequently as a child before settling with his family in Los Angeles. According to Phoenix, his parents struggled to make ends meet early on: "My father was a constructor worker and my mother was a secretary. We were poor." Even so, they nurtured his interest in music and film. Phoenix began acting professionally at age 8, using the stage name Leaf Phoenix alongside his brother River and sisters Rain and Summer.
Big Breaks
Phoenix got his first major role playing Danny in the 1986 kids space adventure SpaceCamp. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, he appeared in diverse films like Ron Howard‘s Parenthood, Gus Van Sant‘s art house classic My Own Private Idaho, and the romantic comedy To Die For starring Nicole Kidman.
His portrayal of villain Commodus in 2000‘s Gladiator opposite Russell Crowe catapulted Phoenix to global stardom and earned him his first of four Oscar nominations. According to director Ridley Scott, Phoenix fully committed to the intense role: "Joaquin was so deep into his character he was frightening. I had to remind him from time to time that he wasn‘t Roman."
Critical Acclaim and Versatility
Phoenix went on to earn praise for his emotional performance as Johnny Cash in 2005‘s Walk the Line, winning a Golden Globe and scoring another Oscar nod. Throughout his career, Phoenix has steadfastly avoided typecasting by taking on complex roles across genres. Highlights include the unhinged WWII veteran Freddie Quell in The Master (2012), the lonely writer falling for his AI assistant in Spike Jonze‘s Her (2013), and Jesus Christ himself in Mary Magdalene (2018).
Of course, Phoenix‘s chilling take on the Joker in 2019‘s Joker stands out as one of his most acclaimed roles. As director Todd Phillips described, "He‘d walk onto set every day with six different ways he could play the scene. Just completely and totally unpredictable." The disturbing yet nuanced performance earned Phoenix his first Academy Award for Best Actor.
Activism and Causes
A lifelong vegan, Phoenix has long been an outspoken advocate for animal rights. He has collaborated with organizations like PETA and Animal Equality and produced thought-provoking documentaries on the meat industry and factory farming. Phoenix is also passionate about fighting climate change, working closely with organizations like Greenpeace and Extinction Rebellion to raise awareness.
Beyond these causes, Phoenix actively supports humanitarian efforts worldwide. In 2005, he volunteered at an orphanage in India. He has also traveled to Panama to spotlight indigenous rights violations. As Phoenix said, "My job is to be empathetic and to try to understand what other people are going through."
Personal Life
Extremely private about his personal life, Phoenix was in a relationship with actress Liv Tyler in the 1990s before splitting amicably. He later dated model Topaz Page-Green. In 2016, Phoenix began seeing actress Rooney Mara while filming Mary Magdalene. They welcomed a son named River in 2020. Phoenix enjoys directing music videos, practicing yoga, and spending time with family when not working.
Longtime friend Casey Affleck described Phoenix as "one of the most gentle, decent, and thoughtful men I’ve ever come across in my life." Phoenix himself said, "I don‘t think I‘m better than anyone else. I‘m just as flawed and messed up as anyone else." This humility and genuineness shine through in his interviews and interactions with fans.
Why We Love Joaquin Phoenix
After following his career for decades, here are just some of the reasons I love Joaquin Phoenix:
- His raw acting talent and ability to lose himself in roles
- His courage in tackling provocative material
- His commitment to important causes close to his heart
- His humility and kindness off-screen
- His quirky sense of humor that occasionally peeks through in interviews
- The care he takes to guard his private family life
- His endearing awkwardness and discomfort with fame
Joaquin Phoenix has crafted an extraordinary career playing troubled souls and outsiders. He is that rare performer possessing both boundless talent and compassion. Phoenix makes acting look easy when it is anything but. After nearly 50 films, he remains as compelling as ever and I look forward to many more phenomenal performances.