Biography of Joaquin Phoenix

Joaquin Phoenix born as Joaquin Rafael Bottom on October 28th, 1974 in Río Piedras, San Juan city in Puerto Rico is a remarkable American Puerto Rican actor and a musician.

Joaquin Phoenix was born to Arlyn Phoenix nee Dunetz and her husband John Lee Bottom. Joaquin has an elder brother River Phoenix and three sisters one an older sister Rain Phoenix, and two younger sisters Liberty Phoenix and Summer Phoenix. Joaquin's parents who became members of the Church of God missionaries have travelled to South and Central America on their evangelical mission.

When Joaquin was four years old his parents decided to begin a new life away from the religious cult and moved to the US. To symbolize their new beginnings in life Joaquin's family changed their last name to 'Phoenix'. Like his siblings Joaquin too loved to be called 'Leaf' and the moniker 'Leaf' remained with him until his fifteenth year. He however reverted back to his original name 'Joaquin Phoenix'.

While in US, his mother worked as a secretary for NBC and father as a landscaper. Joaquin along with his siblings performed at various talent shows and on streets singing and playing instruments. Joaquin and his siblings were later discovered by Iris Burton, a well-known children's agent in Hollywood, who found work for them in television shows and commercials.

Joaquin's first television show as a child artist was "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" in 1982. He then had guest appearances on several television shows including a recurring role on "Morningstar/Eveningstar" {7 episodes 1986}. After appearing in "Walking the Dog" {1991}, Joaquin went into hiatus for a brief period having decided to do the Lord's service like his parents.

Joaquin Phoenix later returned back to Hollywood in 1995 with a leading role in "To Die For". He received a Chlotrudis Award nomination for his wonderful performance as a troubled teen in the movie. His other remarkable performances include a troublemaker in "U Turn" {1997}; a priest with a conflicted mindset in "Quills" {2000} for which he won Critics Choice Award; a doomed baseball player in "Signs" {2002}; a disenchanted cameraman in "Hotel Rwanda" {2004}; a farmer falling in love in "The Village" {2004}; and as a great fire-fighter in "Ladder 49" {2004} Joaquin received Movie Guide Awards nomination for his inspiring performance.

Joaquin Phoenix earned Oscar nomination for his stunning performance as the cruel Roman emperor Commodus in "Gladiator" {2000}. He earned his second Oscar nomination for his amazing performance of a real-life character Johnny Cash, the famous country singer in a biopic movie "Walk the Line" {2005}; while his co-star Reese Witherspoon playing the role of love-interest to him has won the Oscar Award. Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon have sung themselves all the songs and tracks of Johnny Cash in the film, which won Joaquin Phoenix, a Grammy Award for his musical works.

Joaquin was subsequently received an invitation to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 2006. Thus Joaquin and his brother River Phoenix, who received Oscar nomination for his performance in "Running on Empty" {1988}, made history in Hollywood as the first brothers to be nominated for Oscar Awards.

After appearing in "Two Lovers" {2008} Joaquin Phoenix announced his retirement from acting in lieu of a career in music. He has earlier directed music videos for 'Ringside', 'She Wants Revenge', 'People in Planes', 'Arckid', 'Albert Hammond Jr; and Silversun Pickups.