#JOAQUIN PHOENIX TO DIE FOR SERIES#

#JOAQUIN PHOENIX TO DIE FOR SERIES#

In 1986, Phoenix struck out on his own and became a regular on 'Morningstar/Eveningstar' (CBS, 1986), a short-lived dramatic series in which the residents of a retirement home take in the residents of an orphanage that has burned down. He joined his big brother again in 'Backwards: The Riddle of Dyslexia' (1984), with the pair being honored with Young Actor Awards. Arlyn got a job as a secretary at NBC and found an agent who agreed that she had a team of unusually creative kids.Įldest sibling River landed a regular role on 'Seven Brides for Seven Brothers' (CBS, 1982-83), and Joaquin, who had changed his name to Leaf, scored a guest spot by association. They packed up the station wagon and moved to Los Angeles - the family's 20th move in 10 years - where they rented an empty school and set up camp.

Musical duo River and Rain had gotten good responses at local talent contests and the family assumed that their talent would be welcome and probably lucrative in Hollywood. The bohemian home-schooled, vegan clan initially struggled to make ends meet, especially after the addition of sister Summer and health issues that forced dad John to quit his gardening job. In 1977, after several years in Venezuela, the Bottoms decided to quit the cult and River, Rain, Joaquin, and Liberty hopped a freighter to Florida, changing the family name to Phoenix as a symbol of their new beginning.

His parents John and Arlyn Bottom were missionaries with the Children of God, who raised their family on the road throughout Central and South America, with their two eldest, River and Rain, playing music and handing out religious pamphlets on the streets for money. Joaquin Phoenix was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Oct. With a return to critical favor following 'The Master' (2012), Phoenix resumed his career as a gifted performer with eclectic taste. Phoenix made public appearances in frazzled, unkempt states - most notably on David Letterman - which aroused suspicions that he may have been pulling an Andy Kaufman, which proved to be the case after the release of the mockumentary 'I'm Still Here' (2010). After starring in 'Reservation Road' (2007), he appeared to go off the deep end by abruptly announcing his retirement from Hollywood in 2008 in order to pursue a rap music career. Phoenix found himself in Academy Award contention once more for playing bad boy country singer Johnny Cash in 'Walk the Line' (2005). That same year, he received further acclaim as the profoundly religious Abbé in 'Quills' (2000), while elevating his profile with 'Signs' (2003), 'Ladder 49' (2004), 'The Village' (2004) and 'Hotel Rwanda' (2004). Phoenix picked himself up from the loss to star in films like 'U Turn' (1997) and 'Inventing the Abbotts' (1997) before earning acclaim and an Oscar nomination for playing the Emperor Commodus in Ridley Scott's Roman epic 'Gladiator' (2000). Previously credited as Leaf Phoenix, the actor had his start in films like 'SpaceCamp' (1986) and 'Parenthood' (1989) before nearly leaving acting for good after his brother's drug overdose in 1993. An unconventional actor with a propensity for intense performances, Joaquin Phoenix broke out on his own following the tragic death of brother River Phoenix with the indie gem 'To Die For' (1995).

Joaquin phoenix to die for