Joaquin Phoenix Photos: A Retrospective (SLIDESHOW)

Joaquin Phoenix first gained fame in the 1980s as Leaf Phoenix, younger brother to the more famous River Phoenix.

He later changed his name to Joaquin and is currently famous for his bizarre appearance on David Letterman.

After 20 years and two Oscar nominations and a Golden Globe win for his portrayal of Johnny Cash, Phoenix announced last year that he's done with acting and instead plans a career in hip-hop music.

Below, in chronological order, is a look at Phoenix over the past 23 years during his life as an actor.


PHOTOS:

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • As Leaf Phoenix in 1986's "Space Camp"

Comments

[Jyl Ion]

02:40 PM on 03/12/2009

He seems as though he may be genuinely sick, as in perhaps, mentally ill. It surprises me that more people are not considering that seriously and if they are just not talking about it openly.

[thefooligan5]

03:40 AM on 02/16/2009

I personally don't think this is an act. I just think his pretentiousness and arrogance has caught up to him. There is not much more disrespectful than wearing sunglasses indoors when you are being interviewed or speaking directly with someone. He is an over-the-hill wannabe hipster. God do I hate hipsters. And I hate ironic attitudes. What is so great about pretending to be too cool to care? Ugh. I really enjoyed his acting and thought he was a decent guy after he made the earthings film. Seems I was sorely mistaken as he's just another prick.

[LindaLeigh]

11:12 AM on 02/15/2009

If its an act, he's got a long way to go be as good as Andy Kaufman.

[yellowdogminnesotan]

04:35 PM on 02/14/2009

Andy Kaufman=Tom Green=Joaquin Phoenix it's just that simple!

[ScapeGoat]

08:14 AM on 02/14/2009

I think he is a great actor but his performance or non-performance on letterman was boring and stupid. A waste of my time.

[Martha12]

02:18 AM on 02/14/2009

What a pain in the arse!

What a load of crap to garner attention. My kids could do better at 3 years of age.

He needs to go to a day care to polish up on the basics!

[Thomas Murphy]

12:57 AM on 02/14/2009

Boring. Silly. A waste of time....shows you how desperate for attention performers (this guy is not an actor....he has the talent of a stoned college sophmore whose parents told him he was hot stuff at age 13 and now can't get used to the fact that he's grown up (like most men in their late 20s/early 30s today....). I never thought I'd ever see Letterman have balls, but it must be easy when you're dealing with a mixed-up nobody like "WAH-KEEEEEEN" (better then "Leaf" I suppose....). Why the hell would anyone want to grow up to be a performer these days once they see what that kind of life does to a guy like Master Phoenix? Hell, buddy: take a job as a waiter or something: see the world....get a life....quit wasting what little talent you have (you're good at growing a beard: there must be some job for bearded bores SOMEwhere....).

[orangepetal]

12:09 AM on 02/14/2009

I think he sizzles. Maybe he just needs a sabbatical. Hope he is okay.

[RadGash]

11:33 PM on 02/13/2009

that isn't clever... that is pure neurosis

[Idablu]

08:36 PM on 02/13/2009

I hope he is OK, letting his freak flag fly. His whole family are not the norm and I respect that. I hope he doesn't have a tragic end, but I also think he is clever enough that he could be playing with us. After all Casey Afleck (not sure of the spelling) is doing a documentary on him so it could be a ruse. If you have watch him in all of his movies, he is a weird dude, but that is his charm in my opinion.
Sorry, but I thought it was hilarious when he gave it back to dave by sticking his gum under the table!

[PDXTransplant]

04:08 PM on 02/13/2009

He's being as mysterious as the late great Andy Kaufman. Hmmmmm

[slvrfox857]

02:40 PM on 02/13/2009

I hope his parents and/or friends do some sort of intervention before they lose another son. I don't think the Letterman appearance was an act...he was obviously VERY stoned.

[westreal]

01:58 PM on 02/13/2009

I didn't realize he had such an impressive portfolio

[Dewtrell]

01:36 PM on 02/13/2009

It is an act... very much like Andy Kauffman but it's brilliant. The Letterman apperance was hilarious... he's such a good actor.

[Antifascist-08]

01:33 PM on 02/13/2009

I think we have become a country that can't take a good joke or some satire any more. Everything has to be literal.

Its sad. So many critics, so little time. Shame and blame.

Joaquin is an amazing actor and a deeper person than most, so he has a little fun with things that most people just don't get, in this humorless world.

Hey if he wants to convert to Judaism, its all right with me. Hassidic, even better.