Joaquin Phoenix is an American actor who plays both commercials (“Gladiator”) and auteurs (“The Mysterious Forest”). He often transforms into new images, changing greatly in appearance, for example, gaining dozens of extra pounds. He is indifferent to recognition and cinematic awards while being highly regarded among colleagues and directors. Phoenix is Oscar Winner for the Lead Actor in The Joker.
Joaquin Phoenix as a child
Joaquin was born on October 28, 1974, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The future actor’s childhood passed in the society of a very religious family. His parents, Arlene Phoenix and John Lee Butt were members of the Children of God religious community and traveled extensively in South America. Their 5 children also went with them.
Joaquin was the middle child in the family. His parents supported his desire for creative development, like other children. But at the same time, their childhood passed without watching TV. It was replaced by numerous home games, including role-playing scenes, and performances. It was playing the roles of different characters that laid the boy’s acting talent.
By the end of 1970, the entire family had moved to California. The departure was associated with a nascent bad rumor about the Children of God cult, which included John and Arlene. Their decision turned out to be correct because after a couple of years the leading members of the community were accused of sexually harassing children.
Joaquin Phoenix family
By that time, six-year-old Joaquin entered a creative school, where his talent began to unfold. Together with his brother and sisters, Phoenix began to appear in episodic roles in films and commercials. This brought him his first experience in filming.
In 1993, he was deeply saddened by the death of his older brother. River, like Joaquin, was gifted creatively, but the young man’s passion for drugs was destructive. After the death of his brother, with whom he was in close friendship, Joaquin continued his creative career alone.
Career start
Joaquin Phoenix’s career began with the filming of Picnic in Space. At that time he was 12 years old.
After 7 years, in 1995, the 21-year-old boy became one of the main characters in the production of Gus Van Sant’s “To Die in the Name”. Together with his friend Casey Affleck, the young actor plays the role of a typical American high school student of his time. After the film premiere, viewers and critics appreciated the talent of the young Joaquin with excellent reviews.
At the age of 26, the actor’s debut in a big film was, of course, “Gladiator”. Here, in the brainchild of director Ridley Scott, Joaquin tried on the calculating and cruel image of a patricide. His performance was rated as the best villainous role and finally opened the way for the artist to the big cinema.
Phoenix as Joker
The role of the Joker went to Joaquin Phoenix with a hard job. As the actor admitted in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, for the sake of filming, he had to lose more than 23 kilograms of weight. According to the celebrity, he almost went mad because of such a sacrifice, but later it helped him get used to the role.
It took Joaquin several months to learn to laugh like a real Joker. For a long time, he rehearsed alone. Director Todd Phillips even came to the rescue. Thanks to his assessment, the Joker’s trademark smile was developed and approved.
Joaquin Phoenix’s personal life
Despite numerous recognitions and awards in cinema, the artist does not have a very rich personal life. He tries to keep all his novels secret. It’s all the fault of a sad romantic story between Phoenix and Liv Tyler.
Liv was then 19 years old. The girl mistakenly entered the artist’s dressing room, where they met. Soon they began to meet, which caused the envy of many representatives of the world of cinema.
Later, the different schedules of filming and resting did not have the best effect on their relationship. At the next award ceremony, the actress struck up an affair with musician Langdon. They never met Phoenix again.
Joaquin’s next girlfriend was a model from South Africa – Topaz Page Green. For the sake of her beloved, the girl moved to New York from Johannesburg. After 4 years, their union broke up. Even though the actor could not come to terms with the great fame of his beloved, Topaz did not take offense at him. On the contrary, in an interview, she spoke well of him.
9 years later, in December 2014, the world of cinema was shocked by the news of the artist’s new love. She turned out to be Phoenix’s personal yoga coach. She helped the man get rid of depression through daily spiritual practices. An engagement was even announced, but the wedding never took place. The girl’s name remained a secret. The actor had to return to filming again.
A new relationship awaited Joaquin on the set of the film “Mary Magdalene” in 2016. There he met actress Rooney Mara. The girl was actively involved in charity work and led a fund that assisted the poor people of Kenya. Before starting dating, the actors played the former spouses in the film “She”. In the movie “Mary Magdalene” they had even more scenes together. They also saw each other after work. Usually, the star couple went out for a walk or visited an Italian restaurant.
The result of the meetings was Rooney’s move to his lover and the sale of his own house in Los Angeles. The lovers became even closer after the next film “Don’t Worry, He Won’t Go Far”, filmed in 2018. Until now, their relationship has not lost its fervor. True, in public they behave with restraint.
