The Life of Joaquin Phoenix she was always unconventional. The 50-year-old actor was born in Puerto Rico and his parents, Arlyn and John Lee Bottom, one would say were restless spirits for their time. The couple met hitchhiking, married shortly thereafter, and, disillusioned with American politics, left California to explore South America. There, they raised their five children – River, Rayne, Joaquin, Liberty and Summer – following a freer lifestyle, with little concern for material goods.

And because his parents were looking for meaning and a purpose in their lives, they thought it a good idea to join a religious group, living in conditions of extreme poverty. They eventually cut ties with the group after receiving a letter from its leader, David Berg, urging members to have sex with as many people as possible to recruit followers!

It was the first time his parents understood what was a common secret to the rest of the world: “The Children of God” was a dangerous sect wanted by Interpol and led by a man – David Berg – accused of murder. “My parents thought they had found a community that shared their ideals. Once they realized there was more to it, they got out.”Phoenix told Playboy magazine in 2014.

The Phoenix she never accused them of not being loving parents. “They were idealistic and believed they were with a group that shared their beliefs and their values. I think they were probably looking for security and family. They left a country that had assassinated a president”he told Vanity Fair in 2019.

During their stay in South America, the children earned a living by singing and dancing, and this led their mother to contact an NBC agent. Joaquin – then named ‘Leaf’ to match his brothers’ earthly names – made his screen debut in the series ‘Seven Brides for Seven Brothers’. The actor described this first experience as “instant joy”. “For some kids, it’s the first time they’ve scored a goal. For me, that was it”he told the Guardian newspaper. “I knew I liked it and I’ve been chasing that feeling ever since.”

After this debut, Joaquin had small roles in series like ‘Murder’, ‘She Wrote’ and ‘Hill Street Blues’, as well as some youth-oriented films. His first major role came in Ron Howard’s ‘Parenthood’ (1989), in which his character would later be portrayed by Leonardo DiCaprio in the television adaptation.

However, as River’s – his brother’s – fame had soared, Joaquin was sometimes dismissed as “the second most famous Phoenix”, leaving him feeling that his own career was lagging behind. Frustrated, he took a break and spent time in Mexico with his father. When he returned to Los Angeles, River encouraged him to return to acting, telling him, in a prophetic statement: “You’re going to be a more successful actor than I am.”

Joaquin Phoenix with his mother

Joaquin Phoenix with his mother

By the early 1990s, River Phoenix was already a star, recognized for his role as the young Indiana Jones in the film “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” (1989) and for his sensational performance in the film “My Own Private Idaho” ( 1991) by Gus Van Sant, for which she won a prize in Venice.

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In 1993, a few days after Joaquin’s 19th birthday, River died of a drug overdose in Los Angeles. He was only 23 years old, but he had already become an idol. The family moved to Costa Rica to mourn, away from the public eye. The first time Joaquin returned to the United States was to participate in the casting of the film “To Die For” (1995). The film’s director, ‘Gus Van Sant’, a close friend of his brother’s, reportedly burst into tears when he saw him.

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His role alongside Nicole Kidman in the film ‘To Die For’ caught the attention of director James Grey, which was to become a turning point in Phoenix’s career. Gray even wrote an article in the New York Times declaring him to be one of the best actors of the 21st century, claiming that “he’s incredibly good at conveying his inner life without dialogue.”

Phoenix’s performance in Gladiator (2000) finally won over even his skeptics. The huge success of the film – with receipts of more than 400 million dollars—made him a favorite of casting directors looking for someone with a more…dark side. Among his admirers was none other than Johnny Cash, whom Phoenix would later portray in the biopic Walk the Line (2005), which centers on the singer’s tumultuous romance with June Carter.

Joaquin Phoenix

At that time, the actor was not having a very easy time. “I wasn’t dealing with the world or myself the way I wanted to. I was stupid, running around, drinking, going to stupid clubs”he had revealed himself.

In 2005, Phoenix entered rehab and months later, he was involved in a freak car accident in Los Angeles, from which German director Werner Herzog rescued him. Strange stories began to follow him. Rumors swirled that she was considering quitting acting, and few were surprised. Then came his most eccentric moment: he announced his plan to become a hip-hop artist under Diddy’s tutelage. The industry was stunned when he appeared on ‘The David Letterman Show’ disheveled and masturbated. After his appearance on “Letterman,” Phoenix returned to the show to apologize, and that vulnerable moment caught the attention of Spike Jonze.

Although he is now considered one of the greatest actors of his generation, Phoenix continued to prove that he could tackle any role. He sought tension, playing a series of memorable characters: a philosopher reminiscent of Woody Allen in “Irrational Man” (2015), a detective in “Inherent Vice” (2014), a tortured police officer in “You Were Never Really Here” (2017 ) etc.

And the big “bang” happened with “Joker” (2019), a box office success that won him his first Oscar. To embody the troubled Fleck, Phoenix needed no elaborate make-up, just his intense gaze and “haunting” smile with the scar. Unlike the drama that surrounds many events in his life, the scar does not hide some strange history: it was simply born that way.

Joaquin Phoenix

Winning the Oscar failed to tame Phoenix’s bold choices. He continued to “embrace” challenging roles, including his surreal appearance in the film “Beau Is Afraid” (2023). But there were also setbacks. His interpretation of the “Napoleon” (2023) by Ridley Scott was panned by critics and its highly anticipated sequel “Joker: Folie à Deux” became one of the most talked about flops of 2024.

Phoenix remained silent. The media frenzy surrounding River’s death has left a lasting mark on him, keeping him away from social media and Hollywood parties. However, recently the actor surprised the public with rare photos at a charity gala with his wife, Rooney Mara, whom he met on the set of the movie “Her”.