Joaquin Rafael Bottom also known as Joaquin Phoenix is an international star. He has made several movies and is a recognized actor and Social Activist. Prior to acting, the Phoenix children performed on the streets and at various talent contests, singing and playing instruments to help mom and dad with the bills. Joaquin who was known as Leaf when he was pursuing acting as a child was discovered when his mother started working at NBC as a secretary by a well known Child Talent Agent Iris Burton. He then started making appearances with his brothers on various T.V shows and then decided to move to South America with his Father. He returned only to get back into the media with the Death of his Brother River at a well known night club in Hollywood from a drug overdose in 1993. Although his life has not been all fun and candy he has made a successful career as an actor. Joaquin and River became the first brothers in Hollywood history to be nominated for an Academy Award in the acting category.
Joaquin landed a life changing role as Johnny Cash in the 2004 - 2005 film Walk The Line. This role would mean he would have to learn to play the guitar which he did and then found his passion on the set of this film.
In Oct, 2008 Joaquin announced his retirement as an actor and would pursue his passion in music. 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.
