Joaquin Phoenix biography, Joker, net worth, young, brother, children, age 2025

Biography of Joaquin Phoenix

Joaquin Phoenix is an American actor who appears in both commercial films like "Gladiator" and independent films like "The Village." He often transforms into new roles, drastically changing his appearance, such as gaining dozens of extra pounds. He remains indifferent to recognition and film awards, yet is highly regarded by his peers and directors. He is an Oscar winner for Best Actor in the film "Joker."

Childhood in a Cult

Joaquin Rafael Bottom was born in Puerto Rico on October 28, 1974. His maternal grandfather emigrated to the United States from Russia. In his new homeland, he met a native of Hungary. They got married, and the future actor's mother, Arlyn, was born.

Years later, she left her husband, her secretarial job, and a steady life in search of something greater, traveling across America by hitchhiking. On this journey, Arlyn met John Bottom, with whom she quickly developed a romance. The couple married and joined either a cult or a hippie group called the "Children of God," gradually having five children.

Joaquin is the third child in order of birth. The eldest was his brother River, and the family also included three girls: Rain, Summer, and Liberty. Joaquin envied his siblings' unusual names and insisted that his family call him Leaf. When the family moved to the United States, he often faced the challenge of Americans struggling to pronounce the name Joaquin.

Joaquin has a congenital condition, which only adds to his charm—a cleft lip.

Joaquin Phoenix's Scar is Actually a Harelip

The "Children of God" cult promoted unnatural sexual practices. For example, River Phoenix claimed he lost his virginity at four years old. After that, the family left the "Children of God." They were lucky to leave in time, as later, truly terrible and strange things began happening in the cult, such as women luring new members using their bodies. But the Bottoms were no longer concerned. To mark a new chapter, they changed their last name to Phoenix—"reborn."

The newly named Phoenix family decided to settle in Florida. However, the large family was very poor and couldn't afford tickets. The parents persuaded a friendly priest to sneak them onto an old cargo ship. Midway through the journey, the crew discovered the stowaways but took pity on them. Joaquin celebrated his fourth birthday on that barge. By happy coincidence, the ship was transporting toys, and the crew decided to gift a couple to the birthday boy.

After Moving to Los Angeles, Joaquin's Family Changed Their Last Name

Arlyn quickly found a secretarial job at NBC, and John worked on landscaping gardens and parks. They decided to "introduce" their children to show business. Their mother found an agent for the children, Iris Burton—the only one who agreed to represent their interests. Joaquin continued to work with her throughout all stages of his career.

Choosing which commercials to participate in was a careful decision: the Phoenixes were vegetarians (convinced by a four-year-old Joaquin) and animal rights advocates. They refused to appear in ads promoting products that contradicted their ideology.

Youth and Early Roles

Joaquin looked up to his older brother River Phoenix in many ways. River was building a successful career in Hollywood. Joaquin's TV debut was in the series "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" (1982), where River also starred. Shortly before that, at 10 years old, he appeared under the pseudonym Leaf Phoenix with his brother in an educational video about the challenges of raising children with dyslexia.

Little River and Joaquin Phoenix in a film about children with dyslexia

Joaquin never finished school, dropping out as a teenager. In the '80s, he mostly appeared in TV show episodes and played small film roles. The most notable projects from this period were "Murder, She Wrote" (1984), "Russkies" (1987), and "Parenthood" (1989).

Joaquin Phoenix in the TV series 'Murder, She Wrote'

In 1993, River Phoenix died of a drug overdose in front of his brother—Joaquin was the one who called 911, urgently asking for an ambulance to the nightclub where the tragedy occurred. This event knocked Joaquin off his routine. He couldn't pull himself together for over a year and didn't want to act. Director Gus Van Sant, who had previously worked with River, helped him return to acting. In the movie "To Die For" (1995), Phoenix was joined by Nicole Kidman and Matt Dillon.

Joaquin Phoenix in the movie 'To Die For'

Before establishing himself as not just a promising but truly talented actor, Joaquin starred in "U Turn" (1997) by Oliver Stone and "8mm" (1999) by Joel Schumacher.

Career Rise

Joaquin's breakthrough came after the release of "Gladiator" (2000). Phoenix portrayed the vibrant and complex Roman Emperor Commodus, the antagonist to Russell Crowe's character. This role earned him nominations for the Screen Actors Guild Award, BAFTA, Golden Globe, and Oscar, although none of these awards landed in his hands.

Joaquin Phoenix in Gladiator

Joaquin starred in remarkable projects one after another: "Quills" (2000), "Buffalo Soldiers" (2001), "The Village" (2004), "Hotel Rwanda" (2004). He didn't focus on the genre or paycheck; the script and a personal meeting with the director were decisive. Without the latter, Phoenix simply wouldn't sign a contract.

Phoenix was renowned for his ability to immerse himself in roles. Viewers couldn't fathom the hard work that preceded his on-screen characters. In 2004, Joaquin took on the role of a firefighter in "Ladder 49". He joined a real firefighting team, actively participating in extinguishing fires. His former firefighter colleagues praised his convincing portrayal.

The musical biography "Walk the Line" (2005) with Reese Witherspoon, where Phoenix played country musician Johnny Cash, earned him a Golden Globe. Joaquin and Cash were completely different—neither in appearance nor character. To transform into the musician, Phoenix said he had to "cross a line within himself". He meticulously studied Cash's biography and carried a guitar with him constantly. He insisted colleagues call him Johnny, not Joaquin. During a prison scene, he banned food for extras to ensure their anger on-screen was genuine.

"Walk the Line" garnered many awards for Joaquin, besides the Golden Globe, which frustrated him; he called film awards "complete nonsense".

After "Two Lovers" (2008), Joaquin announced his desire to leave the film industry. Later, he appeared on David Letterman's show, having gained weight with a thick beard, behaving oddly, and announced a new creative venture—rapping. The public speculated about Phoenix's antics, but it turned out to be part of the mockumentary Casey Affleck's "I'm Still Here" (2010). He fooled everyone for a year and a half!

Regarding "The Master" (2012), Phoenix often jokes that Paul Thomas Anderson probably saw him in "I'm Still Here" and thought, "This guy's crazy and will agree to anything I propose. Let's hire him." Joaquin highlights his collaboration with Philip Seymour Hoffman, whom he considers one of the best actors of his generation. In this film, Joaquin plays a war veteran enthralled by a destructive cult's ideas. Sometimes, he "forgot" to break character, wreaking havoc on set and injuring himself. Once, he even asked a dentist to put metal brackets on his teeth to restrict his smile. His role earned him an Oscar nomination, but he felt uneasy, saying, "These awards are always the result of collective work, and only that."

Bolder role choices finally liberated Phoenix. He quickly agreed to star in "Her" (2013), a story about blurred lines between reality and virtual reality.

Joaquin Phoenix On The Traditional Rules Of Acting And Why He Has His Own

In 2015, "Irrational Man" (2015) directed by Woody Allen was released.

For a while, Phoenix stepped back, carefully choosing projects and seeking out new directors he could work with. Lynne Ramsay fit the bill perfectly. While working on "You Were Never Really Here" (2017), they were completely in sync.

You Were Never Really Here Press Conference

The director fully understood Joaquin's needs and concerns, even though they hadn't met before. During a pool scene, knowing Phoenix's reluctance, Lynne jumped into the water fully clothed, encouraging him to loosen up.

The film received positive reviews from critics. At the Cannes Film Festival, he wasn't expecting to win the Best Actor award, and when his name was announced, he hesitated, double-checking with Rooney Mara before accepting the prize.

I've been allergic since childhood to—what do you call it?—frivolous, meaningless, youth-oriented projects

In 2018, Phoenix appeared in three major films. "Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot" (2018), a dramedy about a partially paralyzed cartoonist, made Phoenix reassess issues faced by people with disabilities.

Don't Worry He Won't Get Far On Foot Press Conference Highlights

In "Mary Magdalene" (2018), he played Christ. When asked about preparing for such a role, he said he used his usual working methods. Besides thoroughly researching Christ's biography, he underwent fasting to shed any Hollywood glamour.

In Mary Magdalene (2018), Joaquin played Christ

"The Sisters Brothers" (2018) featured a strong cast: John C. Reilly, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Riz Ahmed. Phoenix found filming with them comfortable and exciting.

Joaquin's main project for 2019 was undoubtedly "Joker". Until recently, it seemed Heath Ledger had portrayed the character best on screen, but the fall release of "Joker" amazed fans with Phoenix's fitting performance of this complex role.

Joaquin Phoenix on Playing Joker

Joker by Joaquin Phoenix has nothing to do with DC comics. It's a tragic story of a man society rejects, eventually turning the harmless comedian Arthur Fleck into a madman. For this role, Joaquin lost 24 kilograms and rehearsed the sinister laugh. His efforts earned him an Oscar for Best Actor.

Joaquin Phoenix wins Best Actor (2020)

After "Joker's" success, Phoenix could have pursued major blockbusters, but he remained true to himself, continuing to choose unique and deep roles. In 2020, the short film "Guardians of Life" premiered, highlighting forest fires and climate change issues. In it, he played a doctor saving a girl's life during a massive blaze. In 2021, he starred in the intimate drama "C'mon C'mon", portraying a radio journalist traveling across the US with his young nephew. The film received glowing reviews for its sincerity and warmth.

In 2022, Ridley Scott's historical epic "Napoleon" was released, with Phoenix playing the French Emperor. His portrayal of Bonaparte was unconventional, showing not only a great leader but also a man with weaknesses and contradictions.

In the fall of 2021, Joaquin, a master of transformation, once again amazed fans with a new look. He put on weight and shaved part of his hair to play the lead role in Ari Aster's horror film "Beau Is Afraid".

Joaquin Phoenix preparing for Beau Is Afraid

The film, released in 2023, was quite different from the director's previous works. In this movie, Phoenix portrays a man named Beau Wasserman, anxious to the point of paranoia. He lives alone, suffers from numerous phobias, and is under the constant watch of his overbearing mother. Upon learning of her sudden death, he embarks on a journey to his childhood home, triggering a series of surreal adventures: from encountering a seemingly kind family with dark secrets to participating in a theatrical performance in a mysterious forest commune.

Beau Is Afraid Official Trailer

With nearly a three-hour runtime, the film is a peculiar mix of genres from psychological thriller to dark comedy. It received mixed reviews due to its experimental nature and unusual narrative structure, but Phoenix's performance was almost universally acclaimed.

Joaquin Phoenix's Personal Life

According to the actor, he was popular with women from a young age and was rarely alone, although relationships in his life seldom lasted long.

Joaquin has always been successful with women

On the set of "Inventing the Abbotts" (1997), Joaquin met Liv Tyler. He was charmed by the young star's simplicity, and she admired how seriously Phoenix prepared for their scenes together. The couple dated from 1995 to 1998, and the actor found the breakup difficult.

From 2001 to 2005, Joaquin dated model Topaz Page-Green, and from 2013 to 2015, he was with DJ Allie Teilz.

In 2016, Phoenix began a romance with his co-star in "Mary Magdalene," Rooney Mara. They soon moved in together, but they do not discuss wedding plans with the press, although the couple announced their engagement in the summer of 2019.

Joaquin Phoenix and Rooney Mara are engaged

In September 2020, the couple welcomed a son named after Joaquin's late brother, River. The parents do not share photos of their son on social media and try to keep him out of the public eye as much as possible.

In early 2024, it was revealed that the couple is expecting their second child. In June, paparazzi photographed Rooney holding an infant, but the exact birth date remains unknown.

Rooney Mara and Joaquin Phoenix at the Academy Museum Gala

Joaquin is a homebody who avoids publicity at all costs. He doesn't have social media accounts and rarely comments on world events. For a while, he avoided award ceremonies, which became a running joke for "Golden Globes" hosts Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. He views interviews and social events as just part of the job, nothing more.

Joaquin Phoenix Now

People often asked the actor if there would be a sequel to "Joker." Phoenix stated that he wouldn't mind starring in a second part, but he didn't know if the director had similar plans:

I don't know. You see, it's an interesting character. There's still so much we could do with him, how to reveal him. But will we actually take this on? I don't know.

However, it was clear that after the phenomenal success of the first "Joker" (over a billion dollars at the box office and two Oscars), starting work on a sequel was only a matter of time. In 2021, information emerged that a continuation would indeed happen.

The unexpected decision was to cast Lady Gaga in the role of Joker's girlfriend, Harleen Quinzel. But even stranger was the decision to make the sequel a musical. Phillips explained this by saying that Arthur Fleck's madness evolves, and now he sees the world through the prism of musical numbers.

Joker: Folie À Deux Official Trailer

The film's budget was about 150 million dollars (almost twice that of the first part). Filming took place in New York and Los Angeles from December 2022 to April 2023.

Photos from the shooting of the second Joker

For the film, they recorded about 15 musical numbers, for which Joaquin Phoenix took dance and vocal lessons. Composer Hildur Guðnadóttir, who won an Oscar for the music of the first film, was brought in to work on the soundtrack.

The mass premiere of "Joker: Folie à Deux" took place in October 2024. The sequel received a lukewarm reception, not even coming close to the success of the first part.

Joaquin Phoenix: latest news and articles

Nathaniel Elijah Bryant

I`ve been waiting for the Joker movie with him for a very long time, even before the announcement. Until that moment, there was also Summer, but that is a completely different story. And «Her»? No, Joaquin still knows how to choose roles ... I`m glad that now he also started a family

2021-04-20 16:53:57
Jason Kelly

The role of the Joker has been discussed throughout the year. And Joaquin is beyond praise, the film hit the box office, which is not surprising with such an actor`s play.

2021-04-10 08:46:49
Minnie Quinn

Joaquin Phoenix is definitely a very talented actor. Moreover, before the role of the Joker, he did not have very many roles of the first plans.

2021-03-08 15:52:41
Keith Obrien

The fiercest Joker in history. Although many say that Heath Ledger was cooler, I think it`s a matter of taste.

2021-02-09 10:59:36
Dana Jones

And I fell in love with him since the film Gladiator, he is very talented, after the Joker no one doubts this.

2021-02-08 15:18:40