Date of birth 28 October 1974 Birth place San Juan, Puerto Rico. Birth name Joaquín Rafael Phoenix Height 5' 8 " (173cm) Joaquin Pheonix is an Academy Award Winning actor who is also a strong animal rights activist.

Joaquin Rafael Pheonix was born in Puerto Rica, to American parents who lived in San Juan as missionaries for the Children of God group. He is the third of five brothers including famous actor River Pheonix who died of a drug overdose. Reuters say that Joaquin was the one who reported his fatal drug overdose situation to 911. After his brothers death Joaquin decided to deviate from acting, but was back on the screen due his friends who were persuading him.

Joaquin first appeared on various television series in the early 80s and made debut on big screen by playing the role of Max in the 1986 film ‘Space camp’. After his initial departure from the show business, he returned again in 1995 with an astounding role to play alongside Nicole Kidman in Gus Van Sant’s ‘To die For’. Following this, he did his Academy Award winning role in the 2000 feature film Gladiator. He plays the role of the villainous Roman Emperor Commudus, who kills his own father to claim the throne for his own benefit. He also starred as priest with a warped mind in the film ‘Quills’, where he co stared with Kate Winslet. With his fame for this role he joined hands with popular Indian Director M. Night Shyamalan to do ‘Signs’ and ‘the village’.

In 2002, Joaquin Phoenix was chosen to play the roll of Johnny Cash, upon which he started learning guitar and spent years mimicking Cash’s persona. ‘Walk the line’ was released in 2005, where Joaquin portrays Johnny Cash’s life on film. He stars with upcoming talent Reese Witherspoon who did the role June Carter Cash and went onto win an Oscar for her performance.

Joaquin has also used some of his direction skills with some Music videos for pop/rock bands. He is a strong Animal rights activist and has been a vegetarian since the age of three.