With quite the stellar acting career under his belt, Joaquin Phoenix has apparently had enough. The past week he announced he's leaving the acting business to persue other options.
During an interview with Extra's Jerry Penicoli at a Paul Newman benefit, Joaquin explained that he felt it was time to retire:
“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.”
When he showed up at AFI Fest in Hollywood the other night, a scruffy and unkempt Phoenix had scrawled on his knuckles Bye! Good.
(Maybe he's really going to take time to work on his grammar?)
Joaquin, who was formerly known as Leaf, made his big screen debut as a child actor in the movie Space Camp. (LOVE that movie! Didn't even realize that was him until now. HAHA!) He then left the movie scene for a few years as he traveled with his father.
Joaquin made a hasty return to Hollywood on Halloween night in 1993 when his brother River died in his arms outside the Viper Room - a club previously owned by Johnny Depp.
Rumors have been circulating about Joaquin's own sobriety lately, which I hope are untrue because after holding your brother as he died from a drug overdose? I don't know what more could force you to be sober.
I've never been a huge fan of his, but he does have an exceptional talent. I hope he's successful with his music.
[ image 1: google / image 2 ]
"...because after holding your brother as he died from a drug overdose? I don't know what more could force you to be sober."
Sadly, I think it's the other way around, it would make sobriety *more* difficult - because 1. Alcohol/substance abuse is a classic escape from traumatic memories, and that must have been an absolutely horrid experience (even worse with the insane media exploitation of Joaquin's 911 call, etc); and 2. it's a genetic thing, and addiction obviously runs in the Phoenix family.
Posted by: Libbyloo | Thursday, November 06, 2008 at 08:49 AM
@Libbyloo
That's very true, I hadn't really thought about it that way while I wrote this. I think from my personal point of view I would be scared into sobriety.
You do, however raise very valid points!
Posted by: sam {temptingmama} | Thursday, November 06, 2008 at 08:53 AM