Joaquin Phoenix Birthday October 28
Posted by goremasterfx on October 28, 2009
Joaquin Phoenix
Joaquin Rafael Phoenix, (born October 28, 1974), formerly credited as Leaf Phoenix, is a film actor, musician, and occasional rapper. He was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where he lived for the first 4 years of his childhood. His family then moved to the continental United States, where he was raised. Among the many places in which he lived, because of his family’s frequent moving, were Mexico and various countries in South America. Phoenix is from a family of performers which includes his older brother, the late River Phoenix. Phoenix has ventured behind the camera, directing music videos as well as producing movies and television shows, and has recorded an album, the soundtrack to Walk the Line. He is also known for his work as a social activist, particularly as an advocate for animal rights. On October 27, 2008, he announced his retirement from film in order to focus on his rapping career.
Trivia:
Took his mother to the premiere of Gladiator (2000).
Was born Joaquin Rafael, but at the age of four he decided that he wanted a more earthy name, like his elder siblings River and Rain, so while he was raking leaves with his father he decided on Leaf. In the early ’90s he took back his birth name.
Brother of River Phoenix, Summer Phoenix, Rain Phoenix and Liberty Phoenix
His first name is pronounced “WAA-keen”
Once refused to wear shoes during a photo shoot for Prada because they were made out of leather.
He is a strict vegan. He refuses to wear any costumes made out of animal skin. For the movie Gladiator (2000), Quills (2000) and Walk the Line (2005), among others, he requested that his “leather” costumes be made from synthetic materials.
Was born on same day, year and city as Dayanara Torres.
Resides in New York City in the same apartment building as best friend Casey Affleck and sister Summer Phoenix and director Gus Van Sant.
Took his mother to the Academy Awards. [2001]
Joaquin’s mother is of Hungarian-Russian decent and his father is of Spanish-Irish decent.
Is a spokesperson for PETA.
Became an uncle again after sister, Summer Phoenix, gave birth to Indiana August Affleck (2004).
Uncle of Liberty Phoenix’s children Rio Everest, Indigo Orion and another boy, and Summer Phoenix’s son Indiana August.
Contrary to popular belief, the scar on his lip is not the result of a repaired cleft lip or palate. It is simply a birth mark. Phoenix has stated in interviews that, while pregnant with him, his mother felt a sharp pain one day, and he was born with a mark on his lip.
Shares a birthday with actress Julia Roberts.
Spoke Spanish as a small child but forgot most of it as he got older.
Reportedly never reads his own press or reviews.
Checked himself into rehab to be treated for alcoholism in early April 2005.
Phoenix is half a foot shorter than the real Johnny Cash was, although he plays him in Walk the Line (2005).
Did his own vocals on the Walk the Line (2005) soundtrack.
26 January 2006 – Escaped injury after his car overturned. The crash reportedly was caused by brake failure.
Phoenix was in car accident January 2006 on a winding canyon road that flipped his car over. Shaken and confused, Phoenix heard a tapping on his window and a voice say, “Just relax”. Unable to see the man, Phoenix replied, “I’m fine. I am relaxed”. Then managed to see that the man was famed, eccentric German auteur Werner Herzog, and Herzog replied, ‘No, you’re not’. After helping Phoenix out of the wreckage, Herzog phoned in an ambulance and vanished.
He and his brother have both appeared in film series that involved Harrison Ford. River Phoenix played the young Indiana Jones in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989), and Ford’s son in The Mosquito Coast (1986). Joaquin is among those being considered to play John Clarke in the Jack Ryan spin-off Without Remorse (2011), a character that Willem Dafoe played opposite Ford in Clear and Present Danger (1994).
Often brings his mother or any of his three sisters as his date to movie premieres or award shows.
He and River Phoenix are the first brothers to be nominated for acting Academy Awards.
Favorite authors include Tennessee Williams, Rainer Maria Rilke and Hubert Selby Jr..
Rides a Ducati motorcycle and a yellow ‘72 Le Mans.
Joaquin has been nominated for 3 categories in the Music Video Production Association Awards (2006), Directorial Debut, Direction of a New Artist, and Adult Contemporary.
Brother-in-law and best friend of Casey Affleck.
Invited to join AMPAS in 2006.
In his diner scene with Sean Penn in U Turn (1997) the song “Ring of Fire” by Johnny Cash starts playing. Years later, Joaquin played Cash in Walk the Line (2005).
Owns two cats.
Close friends with Matt Damon.
Close friends with Vince Vaughn.
Kate Winslet calls him the best actor of his generation.
Is of Russian, Spanish and Hungarian heritage.
Was friends with Heath Ledger.
Announced his retirement from acting and said that Two Lovers (2008) would be his last movie as an actor. [October 2008]
Won a Grammy in 2006 for Best Compilation Soundtrack Album For Motion Picture, Television Or Other Visual Media for Walk the Line (2005).
