Joaquin Pheonix: A Life Unscripted

From a challenging early childhood to his infamous fake retirement from acting, we explore Joaquin’s interesting story of resilience and talent.

Chaotic Childhood

“We didn’t have money, but we were rich in so many other ways”

Growing up poor, Joaquin and his siblings had an upbringing far different from most. His parents, Arlyn and John, joined a religious cult in the early 1970s called ‘Children of God’, travelling through South America with Joaquin and his older brother River in tow. After leaving the group in 1978, the family struggled on their own, with the kids busking on street corners to earn money.

Despite their humble beginnings, Joaquin’s parents were endlessly supportive, and in his words, “the least judgmental people in the world.”

First Steps to Fame

Joaquin’s career in television kick started in the early 1980s, with his acting debut in a Christmas episode of ‘Seven Brides for Seven Brothers’ in 1982 at just seven years old.

His first major film role was in the 1986 film ‘SpaceCamp, and later he starred in ‘Parenthood’ in 1989.

Besides his time on-screen, Joaquin Phoenix has always been determined. A vegan since age three and a lifelong animal rights activist, he even briefly went by "Leaf Phoenix" before reverting to his birth name in the early 1990s.

This name change was just the beginning of the many weird and wonderful choices Joaquin has made throughout his life.

Fighting With His Feelings

Joining stars such as Nicole Kidman and Matt Dillon in ‘To Die For’ - the 1995 crime comedy, Phoenix was on the rise, however, it wasn’t until his breakthrough role as the Roman emperor Commodus in ‘Gladiator’ in 2000 that he truly started to get the attention he deserved, earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

Despite his success, Joaquin has a complex relationship with fame. Seen as reclusive and introverted, he doesn’t conform to the typical Hollywood image. However, his uniqueness has not hindered his career.

Trading TV for Tunes

One of the most shocking moments in Joaquin Phoenix's career was his announcement to ‘retire’ from Hollywood to become a hip-hop artist in 2008.

It was eventually revealed that the whole thing was a publicity stunt for the 2010 mockumentary ‘I'm Still Here,’ but his musical talents made the act convincing, so much so that fans were left stunned for over two years as he stayed in character and continued making public appearances.

The hoax aimed to bring attention to the media's obsession with celebrities' personal lives— something Phoenix couldn’t get used to or escape.

Phoenix bounced back in 2012 with his standout role as a troubled war veteran in "The Master," even after facing criticism from fans. He effortlessly transitioned between a variety of characters over the next few years.

Reinventing his Character but Staying True to Himself

Joaquin reinvented himself in a string of successful films.

Playing the ‘Joker’ in 2019, he brought such depth and sadness to the character that his performance won him an Oscar for Best Actor in 2020, and The New York Times named him one of the greatest actors of the 21st century.

But this achievement didn’t come without sacrifice. Known for his dedication, Phoenix lost 52 pounds for the role, and is now preparing to revisit the character in 'Joker: Folie a Deux,' due for release in October.

Phoenix most recently portrayed Napoleon Bonaparte in Napoleon in 2023, and his performance was widely praised, proving that he could rise above past controversies and negative press to deliver some of the most powerful performances of his career.

On these major film sets, Joaquin reveals a vulnerable side, confessing, "I’m vomiting days before I start shooting a new movie.” There is an expectation for seasoned actors to be immune to regular emotions like nerves. However, even with his success, he shows he's just as human behind the scenes.

What’s Next for Joaquin?

Often misunderstood as anti-social, Joaquin lets his performances do the talking. Known for his raw acting style, he keeps his personal life out of the spotlight, preferring a quiet family life with Rooney Mara and their two children. In Hollywood, where normalcy is rare, this desire for simplicity sets him apart.

With plenty of career and life left in him though, it’s anyone’s guess what is next for Joaquin!