Joaquin Phoenix

Joaquin Phoenix was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on October 28, 1974. His birthname was Joaquin Rafael Bottom, into a family of performers. He is the middle child among three sisters, Rain, Liberty, and Summer, and a brother, River, who was also a renowned actor until his untimely death in 1993.

Joaquin Phoenix earned significant acclaim for his role as Commodus in the epic historical drama 'Gladiator,' released on May 5, 2000. The film, directed by Ridley Scott, was a major commercial and critical success, and Phoenix's performance earned him his first Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

On September 4, 2005, the biographical film 'Walk the Line' premiered, in which Joaquin Phoenix portrayed the legendary country music artist Johnny Cash. His dedication to the role, including singing all the songs himself, garnered him widespread praise and won him the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy.

In a surprising turn of events, Joaquin Phoenix announced his retirement from acting on January 27, 2009, during an appearance on 'Late Show with David Letterman.' He revealed plans to focus on a music career, which was later revealed to be part of a mockumentary project titled 'I'm Still Here,' directed by his then brother-in-law Casey Affleck.

Joaquin Phoenix's faux documentary 'I'm Still Here' was released on September 10, 2010. Directed by Casey Affleck, the film chronicled Phoenix's supposed retirement from acting and pursuit of a hip-hop career. The project received mixed reviews but was notable for its unconventional approach and Phoenix's commitment to the performance.

Joaquin Phoenix starred in 'The Master,' which was released on September 1, 2012. Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, the film saw Phoenix playing Freddie Quell, a drifter who becomes a disciple of a religious leader. His performance was critically acclaimed and earned him numerous awards and nominations, including a Venice Film Festival's Volpi Cup for Best Actor.

On October 13, 2013, the romantic science-fiction drama 'Her' premiered. Joaquin Phoenix played Theodore Twombly, a lonely man who develops a relationship with an intelligent operating system voiced by Scarlett Johansson. The film, directed by Spike Jonze, was highly praised for its originality, and Phoenix's performance was a significant part of its success.

'You Were Never Really Here,' starring Joaquin Phoenix, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival on May 27, 2017. Directed by Lynne Ramsay, the film features Phoenix as Joe, a traumatized mercenary tasked with rescuing a kidnapped girl. The movie and his performance received widespread critical acclaim, and Phoenix won the Cannes Best Actor award.

On August 31, 2019, 'Joker,' directed by Todd Phillips, premiered at the Venice Film Festival. Joaquin Phoenix starred as Arthur Fleck, a failed comedian who becomes the infamous criminal mastermind. The film received an eight-minute standing ovation, and Phoenix's intense performance was universally praised, earning him the Academy Award for Best Actor.

Joaquin Phoenix won the Academy Award for Best Actor on February 9, 2020, for his role in 'Joker.' His portrayal of Arthur Fleck, considering both his physical transformation and deep dive into the character's psyche, was lauded as one of the most compelling performances in recent cinema history.

Joaquin Phoenix and his partner, actress Rooney Mara, welcomed their son River Phoenix into the world on September 27, 2020. The baby was named in honor of Joaquin's late brother, River Phoenix, who passed away in 1993. The arrival of River brings a meaningful chapter to Joaquin's life.