Joaquin Phoenix, one of the most decorated and unconventional actors of his generation, won the Academy Award for Joker (2019) and is known for dark, intense roles in Gladiator, Walk the Line, Her and The Master; he reprised Arthur Fleck opposite Lady Gaga in Joker: Folie à Deux (2024).
This article covers his age and birth details, early life in a famous acting family, the road from child actor — once credited as Leaf — to Oscar winner, his key films and awards, his activism, and his 2024–2026 projects. If you enjoy Hollywood profiles, you may also like our Robert Pattinson biography and Henry Cavill biography.
Quick Facts
Full Name: Joaquín Rafael Phoenix (né Bottom)
Born: October 28, 1974 — San Juan, Puerto Rico
Age: 51 (as of October 2026)
Occupation: Actor
Years Active: 1982–present
Known For: Joker, Gladiator, Walk the Line, Her, The Master
Awards: Academy Award (Best Actor, Joker), BAFTA, two Golden Globes, Grammy, Cannes Best Actor, Venice Volpi Cup
Early Life
Joaquin Phoenix was born on October 28, 1974, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, the third of five children of John Lee Bottom and Arlyn "Heart" Bottom. He grew up alongside his siblings — including his older brother River (1970–1993), whose own acting career made the family well known — and began performing as a child. Credited in his early screen roles as Leaf Phoenix, he reclaimed his birth name, Joaquin, in the early 1990s.
Career
Phoenix won early acclaim for To Die For (1995) and Quills (2000), then broke through with his Oscar-nominated supporting turn as Commodus in Gladiator (2000). His portrayal of Johnny Cash in Walk the Line (2005) brought him a Golden Globe and a Grammy alongside an Oscar nomination. He won the Volpi Cup for Best Actor at Venice and earned a third Oscar nomination for The Master (2012), was named Best Actor at Cannes for You Were Never Really Here (2017), and won the Academy Award for Best Actor for Joker (2019) — the defining role of his career.
Recent Work (2024–2026)
In 2024 Phoenix returned as Arthur Fleck in Joker: Folie à Deux, a musical sequel co-starring Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn that premiered at the 81st Venice International Film Festival. His recent filmography also includes Eddington (2025), Napoleon (2023), Beau Is Afraid (2023) and C'mon C'mon (2021). Away from the screen, he is a committed vegan animal-rights advocate and documentary producer.
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FAQ
How old is Joaquin Phoenix?
Born October 28, 1974; he is 51 as of October 2026.
What did he win the Oscar for?
Best Actor for playing Arthur Fleck in Joker (2019); it was his fourth nomination.
Why was he credited as Leaf Phoenix?
A name he gave himself as a child actor; he took back Joaquin in the early 1990s.
Who is his wife?
Actor Rooney Mara (per public records); the couple have two children.
Also on LatestLyrics.xyz: Benedict Cumberbatch biography, Matt Damon biography and Adam Driver biography.
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