
Joaquin Phoenix
Department: Acting
Biography
Joaquin Rafael Phoenix (born October 28, 1974) is an American actor. Known for his roles as dark, unconventional and eccentric characters, particularly in period dramas, he has received various accolades, including an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, a Grammy Award, and two Golden Globe Awards. In 2020, The New York Times named him one of the greatest actors of the 21st century. Phoenix began his career by appearing in a television series in the early 1980s with his older brother River. His first major film roles were in SpaceCamp (1986) and Parenthood (1989). During this period, he was credited as Leaf Phoenix. He began being credited as Joaquin Phoenix in To Die For, his first adult role. He received critical acclaim for his supporting roles in the comedy-drama To Die For (1995) and the period film Quills (2000). Phoenix received further critical acclaim and a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Commodus in the historical drama Gladiator (2000). He had success with the horror films Signs (2002), The Village (2004) and the historical drama Hotel Rwanda (2004). He won a Grammy Award, a Golden Globe Award, and a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of musician Johnny Cash in the biopic Walk the Line (2005). Following a brief sabbatical, Phoenix starred in the psychological drama The Master (2012), winning the Volpi Cup for Best Actor and earning his third Academy Award nomination. He gained praise for his roles in the romantic drama Her (2013) and the crime satire Inherent Vice (2014) and won the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actor for the psychological thriller You Were Never Really Here (2017). For his performance as the titular character of Joker (2019), Phoenix won the Academy Award for Best Actor. He has since starred in the independent films C'mon C'mon (2021), and Beau Is Afraid (2023) and portrayed the title role in the historical drama Napoleon (2023). Outside of acting, Phoenix is an animal rights activist. A vegan, he regularly supports charitable causes and has produced several documentaries on global meat consumption and its impact on the environment.
Known For

Walk the Line
2005

Gladiator
2000

Hotel Rwanda
2004

To Die For
1995

U Turn
1997

Parenthood
1989

Return to Paradise
1998

We Own the Night
2007

Two Lovers
2008

Signs
2002

Quills
2000

Ladder 49
2004

Earthlings
2005

The Village
2004

8MM
1999

Joker: Folie à Deux
2024

Reservation Road
2007

Buffalo Soldiers
2002

It's All About Love
2003

Chryskylodon Blues
2015

Clay Pigeons
1998

Inventing the Abbotts
1997

Russkies
1987

Eddington
2025

I'm Still Here
2010

The Master
2012

The Yards
2000

Her
2013

The Immigrant
2013

Strength and Honor: Creating the World of 'Gladiator'
2005

The Making of We Own the Night
—

Inherent Vice
2014

Celebrating the Man in Black: The Making of Walk the Line
2006

Irrational Man
2015

Her: Love in the Modern Age
2014

The Island
—

Unity
2015

Kids Don't Tell
1985

Finally Home: Making Beau is Afraid
2023

Joaquin Phoenix: An Actor of Extremes
2024

You Were Never Really Here
2017

Brother Bear
2003

Mary Magdalene
2018

Backwards: The Riddle of Dyslexia
1984

The Sisters Brothers
2018

Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot
2018

Secret Witness
1988

Her: The Untitled Rick Howard Project
2014

Dominion
2018

Lou
2018

C'mon C'mon
2021

Guardians of Life
2020

Making 'Signs'
2003

Deconstructing 'The Village'
2005

Joker
2019

Gladiator Games: The Roman Bloodsport
2000

My Darling Vivian
2020

Napoleon
2023

SpaceCamp
1986

Joker: Put on a Happy Face
2020

Beau Is Afraid
2023

Polaris
—

Final 24: River Phoenix
2006

L'esattore (parodia de "Il gladiatore")
2002

Strength and Honor: Production Pods
2005

Made in Eddington
2025

I Walk the Line: A Night for Johnny Cash
2005

Walking the Dog
1992

Today
1952

LIVE with Kelly and Mark
1988

The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
1992

The New Alfred Hitchcock Presents
1985

Hill Street Blues
1981

60 Minutes
1968

Late Night with Conan O'Brien
1993

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
1982

The Oscars
1953

Good Day Live
2001

Morningstar/Eveningstar
1986

Golden Globe Awards
1944

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
2014

The New Leave It to Beaver
1984

Mr. Smith
1983

Murder, She Wrote
1984

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
2015

Jimmy Kimmel Live!
2003

María Madalena
2023