Joaquin Phoenix is following in the footsteps of other successful Hollywood musicians Scarlett Johansson, Russell Crowe and Keanu Reeves to quit acting and focus on his music career.
“I want to take this opportunity… also to give you the exclusive and just talk a little bit about the fact that this will be my last performance as an actor… I’m not doing films anymore.”
“Extra’s” Jerry Penacoli, shocked by the news, further probed Joaquin. “Are you serious?” Phoenix, who was curiously being followed by his own camera crews, reiterated, “Yeah. I’m working on my music. I’m done. I’ve been through that.”
Actor Casey Affleck, present during the admission, tells “Extra”, “I don’t think he’s kidding. He’s got music and stuff.”
Today, “Extra” contacted Phoenix’s rep for clarification and got this response: “That is what he told me.”
This seems to come as a surprise to his rep and Casey Affleck. You get the impression that his rep doesn’t think it’s a good idea. Joaquin has been nominated for an Oscar twice, most recently for his portrayal of Johnny Cash in 2005’s Walk the Line. He and Reese Witherspoon both performed the songs for the soundtrack (giving Joaquin what might be his only hit record now or ever) which seems to have inspired him to pursue music as a career.
I’m guessing that Joaquin will probably head back to acting if his career isn’t as successful as his Walk the Line soundtrack, and since Johnny Cash holds the title of ‘the man’ Joaquin can only ever borrow it.
Here’s a tidbit I didn’t know – he used to go by the name Leaf Phoenix. Joaquin/Leaf’s last role will be in Two Lovers, due out early 2009.
Note by Celebitchy: Do you think it’s a coincidence that Joaquin Phoenix is quitting acting when his last project was with Gwyneth Paltrow?
Joaquin Phoenix is shown at a Benefit for the Painted Turtle at the Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco, California on 10/27/08. Credit: DA5/ WENN
too bad, amazing actor. Weird dude tho, could be the vodka I don’t know.
Looking a little Charles Manson-esque there, Joaquin.
Been rumours floating around for quite a while that he’s been having a few problems (booze, drugs) – probably doing the right thing by getting out now. Shame tho’, great actor.
Yeah, but musicians aren’t exactly LESS prone to booze and drugs.
lol, true, wif, what I meant was he never seemed to be comfortable with fame and the spotlight, and a lower-profile career in music would take him out of that environment..
We’ll see……financial enticements etc
You guys….this poor guy was with his “hero” older brother when he went into convulsions and died right in front of him. Don’t you all rememberhis 911 call?!?! Issues, I think he’s been doing quite well considering. John Frusciante almost never came back!!
It does suck, because Joaquim is a great actor, probably because of his troubled mind, but whatever he needs to do he should.
Personally, the three River, Joaquim and John, I feel, are/were the most amazing, talented and artistic souls of our generation, handsdown. I can’t wait to hear some of his music.
“other successful Hollywood musicians Scarlett Johansson, Russell Crowe and Keanu Reeves”
This was meant to be facetious, right?
I give it 2 years, tops.
He’ll be back when his music career bombs.
Love the connection to Gwynnie!
Yes, when he played the messed-up, newly porn-obsessed nephew of Steve Martin in “Parenthood,” he was listed in the credits as “Leaf.” I think I heard his family had a standing policy where their kids were allowed/encouraged to change their first names when they reached adulthood. Or maybe he just thought “Leaf” was a pretty lame name — “River” was a far better nature-inspired choice.
Yeah, he was “Leaf” when he did Space Camp. Space Camp! I love that movie.
I do think something’s wrong with him, sobriety-wise. Poor guy, I think he’s haunted by his brother’s death. 🙁
That’s right Helen, he played the part of Diane Wiest’s character’s son Gary in ‘Parenthood’ as Leaf Phoenix.
I’ll be sorry to see him leave the screen. If, indeed, that is the case.
He looks horrible and like he’s into drugs.
I just don’t think he’d be into drugs especially after his bros death. Plus, he seems to have a very tight knit fam, Casey Affleck IS his bro-in-law and I doubt after River, any of them would let anything even remotely go down like that.
I heard that he was upset that he didn’t get a name like River, Summer and Liberty and changed it himself to Leaf. Then later changed his mind and went back to Joaquin.
I doubt it. His music career will flop (like Scarlett’s) and he will come back to movies.
Love him. I think he’s an amazing actor and I’ll be sad not to see him on the big screen but it’s his choice and I wish him success.
Maybe he’ll do his music for a while and heal from whatever pressures he’s obviously been under (regarding his looks in this picture) and get back into acting.
Val Kilmer is another one who does music and is back acting now- isn’t he?
Murmur, you are correct. Joaquin is the name his parents gave to him at birth. He chose to change it for a bit (with his parents’ blessings) when he was a kid because he wanted a nature-related name like his siblings. But then he got older and changed it back.
Sad news, but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do to be happy in life, so best of luck to you JP!
He’s definitely been an addict in the past, there was a very famous video from a few years ago where he was bugging out on live television telling a guy he had a toad crawling out of his head.
http://defamer.com/hollywood/joaquin-phoenix/joaquin-phoenixs-mushrooms-kick-in-on-red-carpet-135381.php
He looks like he’s skipping right over the popular artist stage and going right to the tormented hairy, fat, and perpetually stoned Jim Morrison stage.
I hope he can keep his act together… he really is talented, and I think (I hope) he will be back to acting after he explores this music thing.
Really sad, he’s so lost right now – he’s a roaring alcoholic and drug addict. If he wanted to sing and act you could do both. He isn’t going to do either. Being that sick, he’s only going to die and that is a real shame. I wish he has someone in his life to help him. Where is his family, or Intervention?
I think if this is something Joaquin really wants to do and feels that it’s something he really needs to do for himself-trying something new and different than I support him fully.
I didn’t finish my comment. Joaquin is very talented and he can do anything he wants if he puts his mind and his attention to it and stays focused and works his butt off. Truthfully I think his brother would be very proud to see him following in his footsteps doing the music thing which is something River loved and I think he loved it more than he did acting. True I would have liked to have seen Joaquin do both the acting and the music-but for some people it’s just too much to do both nd if he’s bored and not happy with what he’s doing and wants to try going another direction and giving it his all and his best shot then more power to him. He was wonderful in WALK THE LINE and if he continues to train and work that voice and stage presence-I think he could really go far and it’s his life and all that should matter is his happiness-true the fans are important but the choices he makes are his and his alone-not the fans’,not anyones’ and he should be allowed the right to make that big step forward in order to grow as a human being and part of growing is learning and trying new things so because of the way I see things-I stand behind and beside him,supporting him all the way 1000%.
JOAQUIN I’M BEHIND YOU ALL THE WAY!DO WHAT YOU GOT TO DO!LOVE YA ALWAYS AND GOOD LUCK! 😀