theOscarSite Facts:
Birth Date:
  • 28 October 1974
Birth Name:
  • Joaquin Rafael Bottom
Birthplace:
  • San Juan, Puerto Rico
Quote:
  • "I'm not the indie kid, and I'm also not the John Grisham novel hero, but I am all of those things. I do whatever excites me at the time. I'll be in some huge $80 million buddy cop movie, I don't care, and I'll also do some wild independent movie. I refuse to have an agenda." -- London Times, November 9, 2000
Education:
  • Dropped out of school in ninth grade; primarily home schooled
Factoids:
  • At the age of four he decided that he wanted a more earthy name, like his elder siblings River and Rain, so while he was raking leaves with his father he decided on Leaf. In the early '90s he took back his birth name.
  • A strict vegan and a spokesperson for PETA, he refuses to wear any costumes made out of animal skin. For the movies Gladiator (2000), Quills (2000) and Walk the Line (2005), among others, he requested that his "leather" costumes be made from synthetic materials.
Significant Other:
  • "My significant other right now is myself, which is what happens when you suffer from multiple personality disorder and self-obsession."
Family:
  • Father: John Bottom Amram, manager; former migrant fruit picker, former independent Christian missionary, former Children of God's archbishop of Venezuela and the Caribbean Islands
  • Mother: Arlyn Dunitz Jochebed, manager; former migrant fruit picker, former independent Christian missionary
  • Brother: River Phoenix, actor; singer, musician; (1970-1993); died of a drug overdose, Joaquin was with him
  • Sister: Rain Joan of Arc Phoenix (aka Rainbow Phoenix) actress; b. 1972
  • Sister: Liberty Butterfly Phoenix, former actress; b. 1976
  • Sister: Summer Joy Phoenix, actress; b. 1978
Feature Film
Credits:
  • 2008: Two Lovers
  • 2007: Reservation Road, We Own the Night
  • 2005: Walk the Line
  • 2004: Ladder 49, Hotel Rwanda, The Village
  • 2003: Brother Bear (voice), It's All About Love
  • 2002: Signs
  • 2001: Buffalo Soldiers
  • 2000: Gladiator, Quills, The Yards
  • 1999: 8mm
  • 1998: Return to Paradise, Clay Pigeons
  • 1997: Inventing the Abbotts
  • 1995: To Die For
  • 1991: Walking the Dog
  • 1989: Parenthood
  • 1987: Russkies
  • 1986: Space Camp
Academy Awards®:
  •  Nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role 2000: GLADIATOR
  •  Nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role 2005: WALK THE LINE

  • 2 nominations