Joaquin Phoenix - Actor

Photo courtesy of atpictures.com

Born in Puerto Rico on October 28, 1974 to Children of God missionaries John Bottom Amram and Arlyn Dunitz Jochebed (a.k.a. Heart), Phoenix was the middle child in a brood of five. As a youngster he took his cues from older siblings River Phoenix and Rain Phoenix, changing his name to Leaf to match their earthier monikers. When the children were encouraged to develop their creative instincts, he followed their lead into acting. Younger sisters Liberty Phoenix and Summer Phoenix rounded out the talented troupe.

Phoenix's first real acting gig was a guest appearance on River's 1982 sitcom "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers." He worked with his brother again on the after school special Backwards: The Riddle of Dyslexia (1984) (TV), then struck out on his own in other made-for-TV productions. As Leaf Phoenix, he got his first significant role as the youngest crew member in 1986's "SpaceCamp." He then won his first starring turn in the Cold War-era drama "Russkies" in 1987 and two years later, delivered a well-received performance as an angst-ridden adolescent in "Parenthood," which made him something of a fledgling star. However, he chose to retreat from Hollywood, and instead spent a few years with his father in Mexico.

Phoenix, who had changed his name back to Joaquin, returned to the public eye a few years later under tragic circumstances. On October 31, 1993, he was at The Viper Room (an L.A. nightclub partly owned by Johnny Depp) when his brother River collapsed from a drug overdose and later died. Joaquin made the call to 911, which was rebroadcast on radio and TV the world over.

Phoenix would resurface again after two years, when his performance as the tragically confused and horny Jimmy Emmett in Gus Van Sant's 1995 film "To Die For" won him an array of positive reviews. His follow-up turn in Par O'Connor's 1997 film "Inventing the Abbotts" scored more critical kudos, and, perhaps more importantly, introduced him to future girlfriend Liv Tyler, with whom he had a three-year relationship. He returned to the big screen later that year with a supporting role in Oliver Stone's disappointing "U Turn," then played a locked-up drug scapegoat in the more successful "Return to Paradise" in 1998. He and "Paradise" co-star Vince Vaughn reteamed almost immediately for the small-town murder caper "Clay Pigeons," which did not fare as well as their previous collaboration. Phoenix's next endeavor, the 1999 Nicolas Cage thriller "8MM," won him acclaim for his portrayal of thoughtful porn shop owner Max California, further proving that the family talent was not solely the province of Phoenix's late, great older brother.

In 2000, Phoenix took one of his biggest and most extravagant roles to date as Commodus in director Ridley Scott's big-budget epic, "Gladiator." Phoenix's turn as the selfish, paranoid young emperor was a marked departure from the actor's generally likeable characterizations, and proved further indication of his dramatic versitility. Later that year he was seen in two independent features, appearing opposite Mark Wahlberg in Mirmax Films' "The Yards" (which he counts among his favorite experiences--and one of the only films of his that he can sit through) and played the priest in charge of the Marquis de Sade's asylum in "Quills."

Phoenix joined an ensemble cast in the 2001 film "Buffalo Soldiers" and was recently seen opposite Mel Gibson in the thriller "Signs." His upcoming films include "It's All About Love," "Voltage" and "Aurora Island."

Recommended Links:
Mr. Joaquin.com | Joaquin Phoenix Online

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