Award-winning actor Joaquin Phoenix was born on October 28, 1974 in Puerto Rico. Along with his siblings, he performed on the streets and various talent contests to support the family. While in Los Angeles, his mother worked as a secretary in NBC, and the Phoenix children were eventually discovered by one of Hollywood’s leading children’s agents, Iris Burton.
Joaquin Phoenix’s first appeared on television with his brother River Phoenix in 1982’s Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. The two were also in the 1984 episode Backwards: The Riddle of Dyslexia. His big-screen debut was playing the role of Max in 1986’s Space Camp. He also starred in several television shows including Murder, She Wrote, Still the Beaver, and Alfred Hitchcock Presents. He was credited as Leaf Phoenix in his starring role as Danny in Russkies in 1987. He became an established child actor in Parenthood in 1989, but left for Mexico and South America to take a break from acting. In 1993, his brother, River Phoenix, suffered a fatal drug overdose, overwhelming the Phoenix family with media. He re-entered the world of acting a year later, taking on supporting roles as characters with a darker side.
Joaquin Phoenix played Jimmy Emmett in To Die For, a performance that he was applauded for. He was also in Oliver Stone’s U-Turn. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Commodus in 2000’s Gladiator. He also appeared in Quills, Signs and The Village, as well as in 2004’s Hotel Rwanda and Ladder 49. He is noted for his performance in Walk the Line, where he was cast as the singer-songwriter Johnny Cash. Phoenix has also directed music videos for several bands like She Wants Revenge, People in Planes and Silversun Pickups. He also has a music career, winning a Grammy Award for his performance in Walk the Line’s album.