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Joaquin Phoenix Timeline

Born Joaquin Rafael Phoenix in San Juan, Puerto Rico to John Lee Bottom and Arlyn Sharon Dunetz. His parents joined the Children of God cult and changed their last name to Phoenix. His siblings are Summer Phoenix, Rain Phoenix, Liberty Butterfly Phoenix, and River Phoenix. Early on, Joaquin adopts the name "Leaf" to match the nature-themed names of his siblings. Makes his film debut in Space Camp. Stars in Russkies. Appears in the Ron Howard film, Parenthood, with Steve Martin. His brother River Phoenix dies of a drug overdose of heroin and cocaine outside Johnny Depp's Viper Room club in Hollywood. Joaquin makes the 911 call for his dying brother. The call is later broadcast in the media. Appears in To Die For with Nicole Kidman and Matt Dillon. Stars in U-Turn with Sean Penn, Billy Bob Thornton, Jennifer Lopez, Jon Voight, Claire Danes, and Nick Nolte. Stars in 8mm with Nicolas Cage and James Gandolfini. Stars in Return to Paradise. Stars in Quills with Geoffrey Rush and Michael Caine. Stars in Gladiator with Russell Crowe. Stars in M. Night Shyamalan's Signs with Mel Gibson. Stars in Ladder 49 with John Travolta. Stars in M. Night Shyamalan's The Village with Adrien Brody, William Hurt, Sigourney Weaver, and Bryce Dallas Howard. Stars in Hotel Rwanda with Don Cheadle and Nick Nolte. Plays Johnny Cash in Walk the Line, with Reese Witherspoon playing the role of June Carter Cash. Both actors are nominated for Academy Awards for their roles. He checks himself into rehab for alcohol dependency. His publicist says he was "uncomfortable with the way that he was living his life and found the courage to deal with his disease." Phoenix wins the Best Actor - Musical or Comedy award for his role in Walk the Line. Phoenix's brakes fail and his car overturns on a winding road in the Hollywood Hills. He is found by famed German director Werner Herzog. Phoenix recalls: "I remember this knocking on the passenger window. There was this German voice saying, 'Just relax.' There's the air bag. I can't see, and I'm saying, 'I'm fine. I am relaxed.' Finally, I rolled down the window and this head pops inside. And he said, 'No, you're not.' And suddenly I said to myself, 'That's Werner Herzog!' There's something so calming and beautiful about Werner Herzog's voice. I felt completely fine and safe. I climbed out." Is nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor for Walk the Line, but loses to Philip Seymour Hoffman.