Ten fun facts about Joaquin Phoenix

Fact 1
Joaquin Phoenix’s birth name was Joaquin Rafael Bottom but throughout his life he has always been called by some interesting nicknames inculuding Kitten, Joaq, and Leaf.

Fact 2
Joaquin’s older brothers are named River Phoenix and Rain Phoenix. As a child Joaquin decided that he wanted his family to call him “Leaf”. He came up with the idea while raking leaves and said that he wanted a nature-related name same as his older siblings.

Fact 3
Joaquin Phoenix is a staunch vegan. His beliefs run so far that he refuses to wear costumes in his films that are made of animal skins.

Fact 4
He was born with a scar on his lip. Many people have speculated that it was part of a surgery or accident in his youth. However, he has stated that it is simply a birth mark.

Fact 5
In 2005 he admitted to his friends and family that he was an alcoholic. He immediately entered himself into a treatment program.

Fact 6
Joaquin Phoenix portrayed Johnny Cash in the 2005 film “Walk the Line”. He won the Grammy Award for the soundtrack of the movie. He also did all his own vocals for the film and won rave reviews for it too.

Fact 7
He has won three Academy Award nominations for his roles in “The Master”, “Gladiator” and “Walk the Line”.

Fact 8
Joaquin Phoenix and his late brother River Phoenix were the first two brothers to ever be nominated for an Academy Award.

Fact 9
He was close personal friends with the late Heath Ledger. He is also close friends with actors Matt Damon and Keanu Reeves.

Fact 10
In 2008 he announced that he was quitting acting to pursue a career in music as a rapper. It was revealed in 2010 that the entire event was a farce that was used in the creation of a movie he was working on with longtime friend Casey Affleck, “I’m Still Here”.