You know him as the crazily talented actor who starred in movies such as Walk the Line, Her, and Joker. But there's more to Joaquin Phoenix than what first meets the eye. Standing out amongst other Hollywood A-Listers, Phoenix's life makes for a fascinating story. It involves poverty, tragedy, and even a strange Christian cult.

It's hard to believe that such a troubled young man was able to climb the ladder to the very top of the show business. But Phoenix did it, despite all of the challenges he was forced to face ever since he was a young boy. Today, let's take a look at the ever-fascinating past of one of Hollywood's most idiosyncratic superstars.

A Child Of God

When Joaquin Phoenix was born, his parents John and Heart were members of a controversial cult known as the Children of God. Now renamed as The Family International, the Christian cult spread a message of salvation and apocalypticism. It was led by a man called David Berg, who was often referred to as "King."

By 1978, however, Phoenix's parents decided to leave the cult for good, after a 9-years attachment that ended in disappointment and disillusion. Back then, John and Heart chose to distance themselves and their young children from the cult, whose practices were becoming increasingly sinister.

Reborn in the US.

After years of being associated with the Children of God and traveling throughout South America, Phoenix's parents decided to get back home. It was a family of 7 at the time:  there was father John, mother Heart, Joaquin, River, Rain, Liberty, and Summer, who was born late in 1978.

Back in America, John and Heart decided it was time for the family to get a new beginning. That's why they changed their family name from Bottom to Phoenix. Like a mythical phoenix, they were ready to be reborn from the flames and build a brand-new future for themselves in the US Their destination? The booming city of Los Angeles.

Things Were Never Easy

Even though the Phoenixes were a loving family, their new life in the city of Angels was far from easy. Without any money, they had to live out of their car, which can be frustrating for a family of 7! To make it worse, young Summer was just a baby and required constant care and attention.

During that troubled period, they often slept on the driveway of friends and were forced to make the most out of a way-too-small car. But Joaquin has never blamed his parents for it; even today, he makes sure to mention just how positive and nurturing John and Heart were to him and his siblings.

Room For 7?

After a while, the Phoenixes were finally able to rent a small apartment in the city. It was an upgrade for sure, but it was a crazily complicated situation still. According to Joaquin, the apartment had only one room and 1 rule: no kids allowed! But there was a total of 5 kids in the family.

So, how did they do it? Living in the apartment without the owner's knowledge, the Phoenix kids were forced to hide for hours in the laundry machine anytime the owner stopped by. It made for some extraordinary situations, worthy of a sitcom plot... Except nobody was laughing at this one!

The Turning Point

With the situation getting desperate, the Phoenix kids started playing music on the street to get some rent money. It was then mother Heart finally landed the job that would forever change the fate of the family. She was hired as the secretary of an NBC casting agent.

Later, she introduced her children to one of Hollywood's leading talent agents, Iris Burton. Iris, who was also a talented dancer, fell in love with the five kids who were brighter than she could've ever imagined. It was then Joaquin got his first opportunity as an actor, but not without changing his name first.

Ever Heard of Leaf Phoenix?

When your sisters are called River, Rain, and Summer, you may feel like 'Joaquin' is kind of a lame name. Young Joaquin wasn't happy about that, so he changed his name to Leaf Phoenix right before getting his very first acting job.

He was eight at the time, and along with his older brother River, he got a part in a show called Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Shortly after, the freshly-named Leaf got a chance to enter an ABC Afterschool Special and landed a regular spot on a CBS drama called Morningstar/Eveningstar.

Superstar Brothers

Fast-forward to 1989, and the troubled past of the Phoenixes seemed a lot like a distant mirage. That year, Joaquin-Leaf got his breakthrough role in the Steve Martin-led comedy Parenthood. With even more success, Joaquin's older brother River was making a name for himself in Hollywood, particularly after starring in the 1986 drama Stand by Me.

Regarded by the critics as an immensely talented young actor, River was taking the show biz by storm and appeared in over ten feature films between 1986 and 1993. That sad year, though, a tragedy of unprecedented volume would forever change the lives of the Phoenixes, and Joaquin in particular.

A Halloween Tragedy

With money in his pocket and a big reputation in Hollywood, River decided to spend Halloween night at The Viper Room, a brand-new nightclub in California, which was partly owned by Johnny Depp. It was 1993, and things were going great for the Phoenixes.

But River decided to party way too hard and ended up feeling ill after taking a dangerous mix of illegal substances... And that sad night, Halloween played more tricks than treats on the Phoenixes. With sister Rain and brother Joaquin in the room, River died from a drug overdose at the young age of 23.

Stepping Aside After Trauma

Being part of a cult, living in the car, or sharing a tiny room with the rest of the family was nothing compared to River's tragic death. The passing of his beloved older brother took a heavy toll on Joaquin, who decided to retire from show business. His decision to step aside was probably also related to the fact River's death was being mercilessly explored by the media.

We all know people love a tragic Hollywood story, but the media was going too far when it came to River. They not only published pictures of his private funeral, but they also shared the 911 call Joaquin had made right before River's death. It was just too much for 19-year-old Joaquin.

Joaquin's Second Coming

It took Joaquin 2 years to recover from his brother's death fully. But in 1995, the actor formerly known as Leaf decided to readopt his given name and joined the cast of the Gus Van Sant's dramedy To Die For.

Starring alongside a young Nicole Kidman, Joaquin looked like he was ready to follow on his older brother's footsteps and take Hollywood by storm. He delivered a compelling performance in the 1995 movie, which kickstarted his more-serious acting career. Like his parents did after escaping the clutches of the Children of God, Joaquin was rising from the ashes, just like a true phoenix.

Dating a Fellow Celebrity

Back on the game and looking recovered, Joaquin landed a lot of important roles after making an impression in 1995's To Die For. In 1997, he was cast to appear in Inventing the Abbots, a romantic drama in which he met and fell in love with the leading actress, Liv Tyler.

Liv and Joaquin quickly became an "it" Hollywood couple, dragging the attention of the paparazzi for about three years. In the meantime, Joaquin consolidated himself as a serious and reliable Hollywood actor, appearing in movies such as U Turn, Return to Paradise, Clay Pigeons, and 8mm.

Not Just Another Actor

Despite his undeniable talent and charisma, Joaquin was still seen by many as yet another Hollywood actor. To make it worse, he lived under the shadow of his deceased and (according to some) much more talented older brother. But a particular 2000's role would forever change Phoenix's still-dubious status in Hollywood.

Cast to play Commodus, the main antagonist in the hit movie Gladiator, Joaquin proved to be such a convincing counterpart to Russel Crowe's character that he landed his very first Oscar nomination! In the new millennium, Joaquin finally showed he was more than just another pretty face in Hollywood.

Crossing the Line

After the success of Gladiator, Joaquin only needed a major opportunity to settle himself as one of the world's most talented actors. And that opportunity came in 2005, with Walk the Line. Playing the part of the iconic country singer-songwriter Johnny Cash, Phoenix proved to be a methodical and exceptional performer.

In the excellent company of Reese Witherspoon, Phoenix not only landed his second Oscar nomination but also got the first awards of his career. Namely, a Golden Globe and a Grammy award. But most importantly, Walk the Line allowed Joaquin to present himself as the first-class, method-centered actor he's known as today.

Bleeding for the Role

Phoenix's remarkable performance in Walk the Line is still a reference today. But how did he do it? Long story short, Joaquin decided he had to become Johnny Cash to portray him on the big screen convincingly. Such included drinking heavily, just like the real Johnny Cash used to do.

If you think that's working way too hard for an acting job, you're not alone. But it's this demanding type of method-acting that makes for some of the truly great performances in cinema. Oscar-favorite Daniel Day-Lewis does the same for every movie he works on, and Heath Ledger applied the same methods while preparing for his iconic Joker part in Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight.

Anxiety & Commitment

Now a wealthy and respected man, Joaquin has overcome his troubled past by acting better than most and giving everything he has whenever he's on the studio set. Still, the experienced actor has admitted that he continues to feel nauseously anxious before filming a new scene.

Luckily, he's such a dedicated and well-mannered professional that he's always able to put his fears aside when the cameras start rolling. He has confessed that, when he's preparing for a part, he leaves everything behind, from his clothes and personal style to his family and friends.

That Weird 2009 Phoenix

Being a huge superstar, a troubled man, and an excellent performing artist, Joaquin has, of course, gone through a super-weird phase. It happened in 2009, back when Phoenix was trying to convince his fans that he was going to leave the movies to focus on a career as a rapper.

Fortunately, Joaquin's odd new life goal proved to be nothing but yet another great demonstration of method acting. He was simply living the role of his next movie, the mockumentary I'm Still Here. But if you want to catch Phoenix in his weirdest, you have to check his now-legendary 2009 appearance on David Letterman's Late Show!

One of The Very Best

As soon as Joaquin's weird bearded phase was over, the American actor was ready to get back to his former self. And such included being one of the world's leading actors. Following the release of I'm Still Here, Phoenix starred in Paul Thomas Anderson's masterpiece The Master, in which he played the all-too-familiar role of a cult member.

Later, he appeared on the visionary science-fiction movie Her, in which he performed as a solitary man looking to find love in a frugal world. Both roles earned him praise from the critics, with Her getting him on the Oscar nominees list for the third time.

Love is in the Air

On the set of Her, Phoenix found more than an engaging script and a future Oscar nomination. He also found love. It was there he met his significant other, the American actress Rooney Mara.

Mara caught the eye of Phoenix, who was afraid of approaching her initially. Still, the actor was so fascinated about Mara that he did something he'd never done before: he stalked her on the Internet! It goes to show that, no matter how great of an actor you are, you can still obsess about your crush on social media like the rest of us!

Finding the One

After a failed relationship with Liv Tyler and a 4-years romance with a South-African model by the name of Topaz-Page Green, has Phoenix found the one? It certainly looks like it! In 2019, Joaquin and Mara got engaged, and they've been living like a married couple ever since.

They share a house in the Hollywood Hills and enjoy doing all the things normal couples love to do. They spend a lot of time together and have the same fascination with animal rights' protection. Additionally, they played Jesus and Mary Magdalene in the movie Mary Magdalene. Is there anything more perfect than that?

Getting Serious About The Joker

In 2019, Phoenix signed up to do something most people would never expect of him: to appear in a super-hero movie. But Todd Phillips's Joker wasn't anything like your typical DC blockbuster. It was supposed to be a more dramatic and introspective film, so Phoenix's talents could not have been better suited.

It wasn't going to be easy to make the audience forget about Heath Ledger's legendary portrayal of the super-villain Joker. Jared Leto had tried and failed in Suicide Squad. But Phoenix did a remarkable job. He was not only praised by the critics but also helped Joker to make over $1 billion at the box office!

Hard Work Pays Off

Method acting pays off, but it's far from easy. To start, there's a demanding physical transformation. And to better suit the character of the lunatic Joker, Phoenix began following an extreme diet and dropped a whopping 52 pounds! All flesh and bone, Joaquin's fragile body, suited Joker's volatile mind to perfection.

As you can tell, "getting in shape" for a part is not easy. But the mental aspect of method acting is even more complicated. To fill-in the Joker shoes, Phoenix studied the great actors of the silent-movies era, such as Buster Keaton, and did lots, lots of research.

Research & Attention to Detail

During the shooting of Joker, Phoenix didn't felt like leaving any detail to chance. He molded Joker's dancing scenes after the dance moves of Ray Bolger, the actor who played The Scarecrow in 1939 classic The Wizard of Oz.

He also did a lot of research for the scenes in which Joker laughed compulsively. The odd medical condition that caused Joker to laugh uncontrollably in public places is a real one. So, Phoenix watched countless hours of YouTube videos to master the quirky aspects of the pathology better. The result is remarkable: there's no way you can watch one of Joker's laughing scenes without feeling utterly constrained.

Remembering River

Used to being acclaimed by the audience, Phoenix was still enjoying an unprecedented level of praise after the premiere of Joker. Some people called it the role of a lifetime, and the movie exceeded all expectations in regards to award nominations and box office records.

At the highest point of his career, Phoenix decided to honor his late brother River with a heartfelt speech at the Toronto International Film Festival Tribute Gala. An emotional Phoenix recalled the moment in which his older brother insisted that he shouldn't ever give-up acting. He finished up by saying he was forever in debt to him.

Hit Them Where It Hurts The Most

Phoenix has made the most out of his post-Joker public speeches. After honoring his late brother River in a Canadian film festival, the 45-year-old actor decided to take a jab at the wealthy and famous during the latest award season.

At the 2020 Golden Globes, Phoenix took the stage to deliver an inspiring speech on climate change and focus on a class that often snubs the blame: rich celebrities. Speaking some truth to power, Phoenix mentioned the "private jets" most famous use for their traveling, which are incredibly polluting. If only flying commercially wasn't such a bummer.

Animal Lover

As a man who has once decided to change his name to 'Leaf,' Phoenix is a super-fan of nature preservation and also an animal rights advocate. He works hard to support organizations like PETA, by attending their charity events, taking part in protests, and collaborating in promotional campaigns.

Finding the consumption of meat "barbaric," Phoenix has been a lifelong vegan. Before it was even considered cool, Joaquin, his parents, and his siblings stopped eating all sorts of meat, dairy, and egg-based products. Reportedly, the decision was based on the time the family saw a fisherman caught a fish in a violent and traumatic way.

What About That Scar?

When watching a Joaquin Phoenix movie, it's impossible to miss that characteristic scar on his upper lip. It's part of who he is, and it surely adds some charm to the man. But where does it come from? While some people have mentioned that a repaired cleft lip caused the scar, it is most likely a birthmark.

Reportedly, Phoenix's mother felt some pain during her 6th week of pregnancy. And when Phoenix was born, he already had a significant mark on his upper lip. In technical terms, the scar is believed to be a mild form of a cleft lip known as a microform cleft.

Stories From The Master

Even though Paul Thomas Anderson's The Master wasn't as reputable of a movie as Joker, there's no denying the 2012 film shows Phoenix at his very best. The drama features other great actors, such as the late Phillip Seymour Hoffman, but it was Phoenix who stole the show. Not without, of course, working harder than anyone else for the performance.

Crazily, Phoenix never abandoned his character while on set. Additionally, he went as far as placing brackets and rubber bands on his mouth, so it kept shut! This was meant to add grittiness to the facial expression of his character Freddie Quell, a silent but sinister type of guy.

Getting the Gold

Joaquin Phoenix's ultimate moment of recognition came when he was given the 2020 Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance on Joker. It was a well-deserved distinction. Particularly considering how popular the movie was with both critics and fans. Still, the actor (here posing with his 2020 Golden Globe award) continues to find it awkward to attend award shows.

You'd guess a man that's been nominated for over 50 types of awards would feel okay about all the praises by now. But being a unique and straightforward fellow, Phoenix still looks like a fish out of the water. No matter what, he's still getting the gold!

Still Together

The Phoenixes continue to be a close family, with an extraordinary bond and a unique talent for the show business. Mother Heart now works as a social activist. As for Joaquin's sisters, they all have tried a career in acting, singing, or modeling at a certain point in their lives.

Who could've guessed that a family that started by escaping a cult to live in a crowded car would turn out like this? With more than one movie star in the family, the Phoenixes are, without a doubt, one of the most charismatic families in Los Angeles. And if there's a Heaven, we're pretty sure River is looking down and feeling great about his little brother's success right now.