Joaquin Phoenix

Joaquin Rafael Phoenix (born October 28, 1974), formerly credited as Leaf Phoenix, is an award-winning American and Puerto Rican film actor. He is from a family of performers and is the younger brother of late actor River Phoenix.

Phoenix has ventured behind a camera, directing music videos as well as producing movies and television shows, and has recorded an album, the soundtrack to Walk the Line. He is also known for his work as a social activist, particularly as an advocate for animal rights.

Phoenix was born Joaquin Rafael Bottom in Río Piedras,located in the city of San Juan, Puerto Rico. He is the third of five children, including the late River (1970 – 1993), Rain (1972), Liberty (1976), and Summer (1978). He also has a half-sister named Jodean (1964), from his father's first marriage.

His father, John Lee Bottom, was a lapsed Catholic from Fontana, California.His mother, Arlyn Phoenix (née Dunetz), was born in the Bronx, New York to Jewish parents from Hungary and Russia. In 1968, Arlyn left her family and moved to California, later meeting Phoenix's father while hitch-hiking. They married in 1969, then later joined the religious cult the Children of God. They began travelling throughout South America.

His parents eventually became disillusioned with the Children of God; they made the decision to leave the cult and returned to the U.S. in 1978. They changed their last name to "Phoenix" to symbolize a new beginning. This was also around the time Joaquin had begun calling himself "Leaf", desiring to have a similar nature-related name like his siblings (he was inspired by spending time outdoors raking leaves with his dad). This is the name he would use as a child actor; at fifteen, he changed it back to 'Joaquin'.

In order to provide food and financial support for the family, the Phoenix children performed on the streets and at various talent contests, singing and playing instruments. In Los Angeles his mother started working as a secretary for NBC, and his father worked as a landscaper. Joaquin and his siblings were eventually discovered by one of Hollywood's leading children's agents, Iris Burton, who got the five children acting work, mainly doing commercials and television show appearances. Phoenix went on to establish himself a child actor before deciding to withdraw from acting for a while and travel to Mexico and South America with his father.

Phoenix's first acting jobs were guest appearances on two television shows with his brother River: Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1982) and Backwards: The Riddle of Dyslexia (1984). He made his big-screen debut in Space Camp (1986), playing the role of Max, after starring in an Alfred Hitchcock Presents episode: "A very happy ending" the same year, and his first starring role was in Russkies (1987). He later co-starred in Ron Howard's Parenthood (1989), during which his name was still Leaf Phoenix, as seen in the credits.He has directed music videos for the following bands: Ringside,She Wants Revenge,People in Planes, Arckid, Albert Hammond Jr.and Silversun Pickups.Phoenix serves as one of the executive producers of a television show called 4Real, a half-hour series which showcase celebrity guests on global adventures "in order to connect with young leaders who are creating social and economic change."

He is also listed as a producer on the movie We Own the Night.He recorded the album Walk the Line and won a Grammy Award at the 49th Annual Grammy Awards for his work on the soundtrack.

Phoenix is now recording an album with Tim Burgess, lead singer of the British rock/indie band The Charlatans. Phoenix wrote the songs and Anthony Langdon (former Spacehog member) sang them. No release date has been set.

Phoenix has long been a social activist, lending his support to a number of charities and humanitarian organizations, notably Amnesty International[19], The Art of Elysium, HEART, and The Peace Alliance, an organization which campaigns for a United States Department of Peace.Additionally, he serves on the board of directors of The Lunchbox Fund, a charity that provides lunches for poverty-stricken school children in South Africa.

Phoenix has been a dedicated vegan since the age of three. He is a member of P.E.T.A. and the organization In Defense of Animals, and has actively campaigned on their behalf. He narrated the film Earthlings for 'Nation Earth' -- a video about the investigation of animal abuse in factory farms, pet mills, in industry and research. In 2005, he was awarded the "Humanitarian Award" at the San Diego Film Festival for his work and contribution to Earthlings.