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Joaquin Phoenix

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Joaquin Phoenix
File:800px-Joaquin Cannes 20002.jpg
Phoenix at Cannes, 2002
Born
Joaquin Rafael Bottom
Years active1982 — present
AwardsNBR Award for Best Supporting Actor
2000 Gladiator, Quills, The Yards

Joaquin Rafael Phoenix (Template:PronEng born October 28, 1974), formerly credited as Leaf Phoenix, is an award-winning American and Puerto Rican film actor. He is from a family of performers and is the younger brother of late actor River Phoenix.

Phoenix has ventured behind a camera, directing music videos as well as producing movies and television shows, and has recorded an album, the soundtrack to Walk the Line. He is also known for his work as a social activist, particularly as an advocate for animal rights.

Family background and early life

Phoenix was born Joaquin Rafael Bottom in Río Piedras,[1] located in the city of San Juan, Puerto Rico. He is the third of five children, including the late River (1970 – 1993), Rain (1972), Liberty (1976), and Summer (1978). He also has a half-sister named Jodean (1964), from his father's first marriage.[2]

His father, John Lee Bottom, was a lapsed Catholic[3] from Fontana, California.[4] His mother, Arlyn Phoenix (née Dunetz), was born in the Bronx, New York to Jewish parents from Hungary and Russia.[3] In 1968, Arlyn left her family and moved to California, later meeting Phoenix's father while hitch-hiking. They married in 1969, then later joined the religious cult the Children of God. They began travelling throughout South America.[4]

His parents eventually became disillusioned with the Children of God; they made the decision to leave the cult and returned to the U.S. in 1978. They changed their last name to "Phoenix" to symbolize a new beginning. This was also around the time Joaquin had begun calling himself "Leaf", desiring to have a similar nature-related name like his siblings (he was inspired by spending time outdoors raking leaves with his dad). This is the name he would use as a child actor; at fifteen, he changed it back to 'Joaquin'.[5]

In order to provide food and financial support for the family, the Phoenix children performed on the streets and at various talent contests, singing and playing instruments. In Los Angeles his mother started working as a secretary for NBC, and his father worked as a landscaper. Joaquin and his siblings were eventually discovered by one of Hollywood's leading children's agents, Iris Burton, who got the five children acting work, mainly doing commercials and television show appearances.[6] Phoenix went on to establish himself a child actor before deciding to withdraw from acting for a while and travel to Mexico and South America with his father.

Phoenix came back into public view under tragic circumstances: on October 31, 1993, his brother, River Phoenix, suffered a fatal drug overdose, outside the famed Hollywood nightclub The Viper Room, which was owned by Johnny Depp. Joaquin's call to 911 to save his brother was recorded and repeatedly played over the airwaves and on television. The sudden media intrusion into his life proved to be too overwhelming; once again, he retreated from the public eye. A year later, at the insistence of his friends, Joaquin reluctantly re-entered the world of acting.[7]

Film career

Acting

Phoenix'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), playing the role of Max, after starring in an Alfred Hitchcock Presents episode: "A very happy ending" the same year, and his first starring role was in Russkies (1987). He later co-starred in Ron Howard's Parenthood (1989), during which his name was still Leaf Phoenix, as seen in the credits.

Early on in his career, Phoenix had often played supporting roles as conflicted, insecure characters with a darker side. He has earned positive reviews for his portrayals of various individuals: a troubled teen in Gus Van Sant's To Die For (1995) co-starring with Nicole Kidman, a small-town troublemaker in Oliver Stone's U-Turn, the cruel Roman emperor Commodus in Ridley Scott's Gladiator (2000) (for which he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor), a conflicted priest in Quills (2000), a washed-up baseball player in M. Night Shyamalan's Signs (2002), a lovestruck farmer in Shyamalan's The Village (2004), a disillusioned cameraman in Terry George's Hotel Rwanda (2004), and a heroic firefighter in Ladder 49 (2004).[8]

Upon being cast as Johnny Cash in Walk the Line after Cash himself approved, Joaquin responded by buying a guitar and learning how to play. Reese Witherspoon, who portrayed June Carter Cash in the film and won a Best Actress Oscar for her performance, stated during an interview that when they first performed in-character before a live audience, she was so impressed with his impersonation that she knew she "had to step it up a notch". All of Cash and Carter's vocal tracks in the movie and on the accompanying soundtrack are played and sung by Phoenix and Witherspoon. In 2005, he was nominated for the Best Actor Oscar, and won a Golden Globe in the same category in 2006.

In 2006, Phoenix was invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.[9]

Joaquin and River became the first brothers in Hollywood history to be nominated for an Academy Award in the acting category.[8]

On October 28, 2008, Phoenix announced his retirement from acting in order pursue his career in music.[10] Two Lovers will be his final film, which is planned to be released in early 2009.

Directing

He has directed music videos for the following bands: Ringside,[11] She Wants Revenge,[12] People in Planes,[13] Arckid,[14] Albert Hammond Jr.[15] and Silversun Pickups[16]

Producing

Phoenix serves as one of the executive producers of a television show called 4Real, a half-hour series which showcase celebrity guests on global adventures "in order to connect with young leaders who are creating social and economic change."[17]

He is also listed as a producer on the movie We Own the Night.

Music career

Singing

He recorded the album Walk the Line and won a Grammy Award at the 49th Annual Grammy Awards for his work on the soundtrack.[18]

Song writing

Phoenix is now recording an album with Tim Burgess, lead singer of the British rock/indie band The Charlatans. Phoenix wrote the songs and Anthony Langdon (former Spacehog member) sang them. No release date has been set.[19]

Social activism

Phoenix has long been a social activist, lending his support to a number of charities and humanitarian organizations, notably Amnesty International[20], The Art of Elysium, HEART, and The Peace Alliance, an organization which campaigns for a United States Department of Peace.[21] Additionally, he serves on the board of directors of The Lunchbox Fund, a charity that provides lunches for poverty-stricken school children in South Africa.[22]

Phoenix has been a dedicated vegan since the age of three. He is a member of P.E.T.A. and the organization In Defense of Animals, and has actively campaigned on their behalf.[21] He narrated the film Earthlings for 'Nation Earth' -- a video about the investigation of animal abuse in factory farms, pet mills, in industry and research. In 2005, he was awarded the "Humanitarian Award" at the San Diego Film Festival for his work and contribution to Earthlings.[23]

In 2005, he participated in the documentary I'm Still Here: Real Diaries of Young People Who Lived During the Holocaust.

Personal life

Phoenix's parents are divorced. His mother is now married to Jeffrey Weisberg, treasurer and member of the Board of Directors of The Peace Alliance Foundation.[24]

The scar above his lip is, contrary to popular belief, a birthmark. Once during his mother's pregnancy, she felt a sharp pain and believes the two events are connected.[25]

Phoenix has stated on numerous occasions that he does not watch his performances on screen.[26]

On October 28th, 2008 while on the show Extra Joaquin Pheonix announced that after the film Two Lovers he will retire from making movies.

Filmography

Year Film Role Notes and Awards
1984 Backwards: The Riddle Of Dyslexia Robby Ellsworth Nominated: Young Artist Award, shared with River Phoenix, Under the name Leaf Phoenix
1986 Space Camp Max Under the name Leaf Phoenix
1987 Russkies Danny Under the name Leaf Phoenix
1989 Parenthood Garry Buckman-Lampkin Nominated: Young Artist Award (Under the name Leaf Phoenix)
1995 To Die For Jimmy Emmett Nominated: Chlotrudis Award
1997 U-Turn Toby N. Tucker a.k.a. TNT
Inventing the Abbotts Doug Holt
1998 8mm Max California
Clay Pigeons Clay Bidwell
Return to Paradise Lewis McBride Nominated: Csapnivalo Awards
2000 The Yards Willie Gutierrez Won: BFCA Critic's Choice Award for Best Supporting Actor
Quills The Abbe de Coulmier Won: BFCA Critic's Choice Award for Best Supporting Actor
Won: San Diego Film Critics Society Award for Best Supporting Actor
Gladiator Commodus Won: BFCA Critic's Choice Award for Best Supporting Actor
Nominated: British Academy Film Award for Best Supporting Actor
Nominated: Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role - Motion Picture
Nominated: Academy Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
2001 Buffalo Soldiers Ray Elwood Nominated: British Independent Film Award
2002 Signs Merrill Hess
2003 Brother Bear Kenai Voice Only
It's All About Love John
2004 Ladder 49 Jack Morrison Nominated: Movie Guide Award
Nominated: Teen Choice Award
Nominated: Grace Award
The Village Lucius Hunt
Hotel Rwanda Jack Daglish Nominated: Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
2005 Walk the Line Johnny Cash Won: Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role - Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy
Won: Grammy for Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media
Won: Hollywood Film Festival Award for Best Actor
Nominated: British Academy Film Award for Best Leading Actor
Nominated: Academy Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
Nominated: Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role
2006 Earthlings Narrator Won: San Diego Film Festival "Humanitarian Award"
2007 We Own the Night Bobby Green Won: People's Choice Award
Reservation Road Ethan Learner
2008 Two Lovers Leonard

See also

References

  1. ^ "Videos - Late Show with David Letterman 2005". DearJoaquin.com. Retrieved 2007-08-21.
  2. ^ "The Phoenix Family". Sacred Loving Stream. Retrieved 2007-08-21.
  3. ^ a b Naomi Pfefferman (2002-04-12). "The Days of Summer". Jewish Journal. Retrieved 2007-09-01. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ^ a b Roberta and David Ritz (October 1995). "Strange Days". Us Magazine. Retrieved 2007-09-01.
  5. ^ Paul Fischer (2000). "Gladiator". Dark Horizons. Retrieved 2007-08-22.
  6. ^ Mary Rourke (2008). "Iris Burton, 77; Hollywood agent represented child actors". LA Times. Retrieved 2008-04-11.
  7. ^ John Clark (2007-09-6). "Quietly Making a Name". Variety Magazine. Retrieved 2007-09-07. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  8. ^ a b Joaquin Phoenix at IMDb
  9. ^ Academy Invites 120 to Membership
  10. ^ http://extratv.warnerbros.com/2008/10/joaquin_phoenix_leaving_the_si.php
  11. ^ "Tired of Feeling Sorry". Ringside. Retrieved 2007-08-22.
  12. ^ "Tear You Apart". She Wants Revenge. Retrieved 2007-08-22.
  13. ^ "If you Talk Too Much (My Head Will Explode)". People In Planes. Retrieved 2007-08-22.
  14. ^ "I'll Stick Around". Arckid. Retrieved 2007-08-22.
  15. ^ "In Transit". Albert Hammond Jr. Retrieved 2007-08-22.
  16. ^ "Little Lovers so Polite". Silversun Pickups. Retrieved 2008-03-10.
  17. ^ "4 Real". Direct Current Media. Retrieved 2007-08-22.
  18. ^ Grammy Award for Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media
  19. ^ Tim Burgess reveals details of Joaquin Phoenix collaboration | News | NME.COM
  20. ^ "End The Crisis In Darfur". Amnesty International. Retrieved 2007-08-22.
  21. ^ a b "Joaquin Phoenix's Charity Work". Look To The Stars. Retrieved 2007-08-22.
  22. ^ http://www.thelunchboxfund.org/main.htm
  23. ^ I Saw Earthlings.com Cast and Crew
  24. ^ "Board of Directors". The Peace Alliance Foundation. Retrieved 2007-06-11.
  25. ^ Joe Dolce (1995-09). "Q&A With". Details Magazine. Retrieved 2007-08-25. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  26. ^ Serena Kappes (2004-09-29). "5 Things You Gotta Know About Joaquin Phoenix". People Magazine. Retrieved 2007-08-25. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
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