Joaquin Phoenix
Biography
Joaquin Rafael Phoenix is an American actor born on October 28, 1974, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Originally named Joaquin Rafael Bottom, he is recognized as one of the preeminent actors of his generation. He is noted for his ability to immerse himself in roles, often portraying dark, unconventional, and eccentric characters, particularly in independent films. Throughout his career, Phoenix has received numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, a Grammy Award, two Golden Globes, and a Volpi Cup. He is the middle child of five, born to parents Arlyn and John Bottom, who were serving as missionaries at the time of his birth.
Career overview
Phoenix began his acting career in the early 1980s, appearing in television series alongside his brother, River. During this early period of his career, he was credited as Leaf Phoenix, a name he chose for himself before eventually returning to his birth name. His first major film roles arrived later in the decade with appearances in SpaceCamp in 1986 and Parenthood in 1989.
As his career progressed, Phoenix became known for his work in a variety of notable films. His filmography includes the historical drama Gladiator, the biographical film Walk the Line, and the mockumentary I'm Still Here. He also gained recognition for his performances in The Master and the film Joker. With 99 known credits in his professional portfolio, Phoenix has established himself as a significant figure in the film industry, consistently earning critical acclaim for his acting performances.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full filmography
- Outcome (2026) Thanks
- Eddington (2025) as Joe Cross
- The Voice of Hind Rajab (2025) Executive Producer
- Trillion (2025) Executive Producer
- Made in Eddington (2025) as Self
- I’m Glad You’re Dead Now (2025) Executive Producer
- Joker: Folie à Deux (2024) as Arthur Fleck
- Joaquin Phoenix: An Actor of Extremes (2024) as Self - Actor (archive footage)
- Napoleon (2023) as Napoleon Bonaparte
- Napoleon (2023) Producer
- Beau Is Afraid (2023) as Beau Wassermann
- María Madalena (2023)
- The End of Medicine (2023) Executive Producer
- Finally Home: Making Beau is Afraid (2023) as Self
- Stutz (2022) Producer
- C'mon C'mon (2021) as Johnny
- Gunda (2021) Executive Producer
- My Darling Vivian (2020) as Self (archive footage)
- Guardians of Life (2020)
- Joker: Put on a Happy Face (2020) as Self
- Joker (2019) as Arthur Fleck
- The Animal People (2019) Executive Producer
- The Sisters Brothers (2018) as Charlie Sisters
- Mary Magdalene (2018) as Jesus
- Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot (2018) as John Callahan
- Lou (2018) as Karl
- Dominion (2018) as Narrator (voice)
- You Were Never Really Here (2017) as Joe
- Across My Land (2017) Executive Producer
- What the Health (2017) Executive Producer
- The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (2015) as Self
- Irrational Man (2015) as Abe
- Chryskylodon Blues (2015) as Self
- Unity (2015) as Narrator (voice)
- I Am Dying (2015) Executive Producer
- The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (2014) as Self - Guest
- Her: The Untitled Rick Howard Project (2014) as Self
- Inherent Vice (2014) as Larry "Doc" Sportello
- Her: Love in the Modern Age (2014) as Self (archive footage)
- Her (2013) as Theodore
- The Immigrant (2013) as Bruno Weiss
- The Master (2012) as Freddie Quell
- I'm Still Here (2010) as Joaquin Phoenix
- I'm Still Here (2010) Producer
- I'm Still Here (2010) Writer
- Two Lovers (2008) as Leonard Kraditor
- We Own the Night (2007) as Bobby Green
- We Own the Night (2007) Producer
- Reservation Road (2007) as Ethan Learner
- Final 24: River Phoenix (2006) as Self (voice) (archive footage)
- Celebrating the Man in Black: The Making of Walk the Line (2006) as Self
- Walk the Line (2005) as John R. Cash
- Earthlings (2005) as Narrator (voice)
- Deconstructing 'The Village' (2005) as Self
- I Walk the Line: A Night for Johnny Cash (2005) as Self
- Strength and Honor: Creating the World of 'Gladiator' (2005) as Self
- Strength and Honor: Production Pods (2005) as Self
- The Village (2004) as Lucius Hunt
- Hotel Rwanda (2004) as Jack Daglish
- Ladder 49 (2004) as Jack Morrison
- Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2003) as Self - Guest
- Brother Bear (2003) as Kenai (voice)
- It's All About Love (2003) as John
- Making 'Signs' (2003) as Self / Merrill Hess
- Signs (2002) as Merrill Hess
- Buffalo Soldiers (2002) as Ray Elwood
- L'esattore (parodia de "Il gladiatore") (2002)
- Good Day Live (2001) as Self
- Gladiator (2000) as Commodus
- Quills (2000) as Abbe du Coulmier
- The Yards (2000) as Willie Gutierrez
- Gladiator Games: The Roman Bloodsport (2000) as Self
- 8MM (1999) as Max California
- Return to Paradise (1998) as Lewis McBride
- Clay Pigeons (1998) as Clay Bidwell
- Inventing the Abbotts (1997) as Doug Holt
- U Turn (1997) as Toby N. Tucker
- To Die For (1995) as Jimmy Emmett
- Late Night with Conan O'Brien (1993) as Self - Guest
- The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (1992)
- Walking the Dog (1992) as Mischievous Teenage Boy
- Parenthood (1989) as Garry Buckman-Lampkin
- LIVE with Kelly and Mark (1988) as Self - Guest
- Secret Witness (1988) as Drew Blackburn
- Russkies (1987) as Danny
- SpaceCamp (1986) as Max
- Morningstar/Eveningstar (1986) as Doug Roberts
- The New Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1985) as Pagey Fisher
- Kids Don't Tell (1985) as Frankie
- Murder, She Wrote (1984) as Billy Donovan
- The New Leave It to Beaver (1984) as Kyle Cleaver
- Backwards: The Riddle of Dyslexia (1984) as Robby Ellsworth
- Mr. Smith (1983)
- Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1982) as Travis
- Hill Street Blues (1981)
- 60 Minutes (1968) as Self
- The Oscars (1953) as Self
- Today (1952) as Self
- Golden Globe Awards (1944) as Self - Nominee
- Polaris
- 4Real Producer
- The Island
- The Making of We Own the Night as Self