I want kids, a family of my own. I`d like to give them the first eight years of their lives in the country. Then I`d want them educated, which I wasn`t formally, although I had a tutor once when I was twelve. At times I miss a formal education, but at others I thank God for everything else I have now. What I have got from my childhood aren`t toys, but memories. And happy memories are better than any toy. It`s a great feeling to think that I can be a friend to so many people through my movies. I`m having a kind of hard time keeping my head above water in this crazy business. In Stand by Me (1986), I realized that what I was creating was going to live on far longer than anything of me as a person. The characters are more powerful than the person that creates them. I would get songs sung to me, like `Old Man River, `or kids would call me Mississippi and things like that. At the time, I wished I had a name that blended in more with my surroundings. Now, though, I`ve really learned to love it. From fifteen, I really liked it. It felt appropriate. Before that, I don`t think it quite fitted me. I had to grow into it . Sometimes I hear stuff like `Hey man, wheres your skateboard, dude?` from people who think I`m Christian Slater. We need an extreme movement because what is happening to animals is so extreme. Some misinformed people claim that animal rights activists are terrorists, but these people are simply ignorant of who the real terrorists are - the companies and industries that torture literally billions of animals each year. (The Animals Voice Magazine - 1989) I don`t see any point or any good in drugs that are as disruptive as cocaine. It still strikes me as strange that anyone could have a moral objection against somebody`s sexuality, it`s like telling someone else how to clean their house. Addiction is not just for bad people or scumbags - it`s a universal disease. We were constantly moving to different countries and adjusting to new things. It was such a free feeling. I`m glad I didn`t have a traditional upbringing. Vegetarianism is a link to perfection and peace. We are taught to consume. And that`s what we do. But if we realized that there really is no reason to consume, that it`s just a mind set, that it`s just an addiction, then we wouldn`t be out there stepping on people`s hands climbing the corporate ladder of success. People wonder if I`ll always be a part of this family and the answer is yes. My family has a lot of good energy going in one direction and because of it, we get a lot of things done. That`s why I`ll always spend a lot of time at Camp Phoenix. Rich kids gave us their old clothes. They were the best clothes we ever had. We were these very pure, naive, poor children. The rich kids called us a lot of names but it never bothered us because we didn`t know what the words meant. When I was old enough to realize all meat was killed, I saw it as an irrational way of using our power, to take a weaker thing and mutilate it. It was like the way bullies would take control of younger kids in the schoolyard. I did my best work in The Mosquito Coast. I know it wasn`t such a big hit, but for me it was more meaningful than anything else I`d ever done. I can`t on my own change the regime in South Africa or teach the Palestinians to learn to live with the Israelies, but I can start with me. Everything is ironic to me. There are moments I find hysterical, but I`m probably the only one who would find that, except for a few people. Acting is like a Halloween mask that you put on. Commercials were too phony for me. I just didn`t like selling a product I didn`t believe in. Music is my main goal, but I`m not going to rush a record out. There are so many actors who have come out with albums these days. I don`t want to do it because it`s the thing to do. I want to wait until the time is right. Music is a whole oasis in my head. The creation process is so personal and fulfilling. Music is a hobby, because I`m not making any money out of it, but I put just as much conviction into that as I do into my acting. It`s a great feeling to think that I can be a friend to so many people through my movies. I`ve been wanting to go into music ever since I can remember. I mean even before I became an actor. I just thought it would be a tough field to break into, so I became an actor instead. I remember we`d roll into gas stations in our beat-up van and I`d tell the attendant, `I`m going to be an actor! I have twenty personalities on top of the ten I already have. So now I have thirty people in my head! I like girls who are natural because I am natural in everything I do. If I meet a girl who is snobby and wants special treatment, she`s not going to get it from me because she hasn`t earned it. But I`ve been basically lucky because I`ve met mostly nice girls - and that`s what attracts me. I don`t want to die in a car accident. When I die it`ll be a glorious day. It`ll probably be a waterfall. I have a lot of chameleon qualities, I get very absorbed in my surroundings. I sometimes lie, especially about personal things, because what does it matter? I am a kind of minute commodity, my name is no longer my own. I try to lie as much as I can when I`m interviewed. It`s reverse psychology. I figure if you lie, they`ll print the truth. I would never, never do anything unless I believed in it. I wouldn`t eat a hamburger for 40,000 dollars. I`d like to play every type of character, but only once. I like to experience things. I`m really normal. I play football, go to the beach, drive. We have dogs. I can imagine people calling me a character, but I`m Joe Straight. I`m just a normal guy doing a job! I really like acting because you can create a character. You can make someone who has never existed before. That`s neat. When I was younger, I was worried about how others viewed me and if I was good enough. I realize now that you can`t mold an image or try to be something that you are not. As far as being an actor is concerned, your work really speaks for itself. You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the `Update` button will take you through a step-by-step process. With our Resume service you can add photos and build a complete resume to help you achieve the best possible presentation on the IMDb. Click here to add your resume and/or your photos to IMDb. 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I don`t want to get into the habit of thinking about my career because when it comes down to it, it`s not that important. I could die tomorrow and the world would go on. I don`t want to separate myself from the rest of the world. If the world is not going too good, I`m part of that. I`ll be happy to take the blame. I`m along for the ride.

I love Sam Shepard, he is like a father to me. We don`t even have to talk, we communicate without words

I want kids, a family of my own. I`d like to give them the first eight years of their lives in the country. Then I`d want them educated, which I wasn`t formally, although I had a tutor once when I was twelve. At times I miss a formal education, but at others I thank God for everything else I have now. What I have got from my childhood aren`t toys, but memories. And happy memories are better than any toy.

I`ve been wanting to go into music ever since I can remember. I mean even before I became an actor. I just thought it would be a tough field to break into, so I became an actor instead.

Commercials were too phony for me. I just didn`t like selling products I didn`t believe in.

Animals are not our playthings. We are on this earth to protect them. It`s our duty.

I sometimes lie, especially about personal things, because what does it matter? I am a kind of minute commodity, my name is no longer my own.

Music is a whole oasis in my head. The creation process is so personal and fulfilling.

When I was in first grade, everyone made fun of my name, of course. I think it`s kind of a big name to hold up when you`re nine years old. It seemed goofy. I used to tell people I wanted to change the world and they used to think, `This kid`s really weird`.

Acting is like a Halloween mask that you put on.

It still strikes me as strange that anyone can have any moral objection to someone else`s sexuality. It`s like telling someone else how to clean their house.

We respect our parents and they respect us. Even when we were younger, it was never, `Well, I`m the parent and you`re the kid.` You wouldn`t be held back because of your age. Just the opposite. My father used to say, `The youngest gets to yell the loudest because they`re never listened to!` My father talks to Summer [sister Summer Phoenix], who is the youngest, the way he talks to my grandfather or anyone else. They always gave us a fair shot.

I just always loved the names Helen or Ashley, I don`t know, they seem familar to me, like I need to be with them...

It`s a great feeling to think that I can be a friend to so many people through my movies.

Rich kids gave us their old clothes. They were the best clothes we ever had. We were these very pure, naive, poor children. The rich kids called us a lot of names but it never bothered us because we didn`t know what the words meant.

Music is a hobby, because I`m not making any money out of it, but I put just as much conviction into that as I do into my acting.

I`d like to play every type of character, but only once. I like to expierence things.

I project a definite innocence. A lot of that is just the way I grew up.

It still strikes me as strange that anyone could have any moral objection to someone else`s sexuality. It`s like telling someone else how to clean their house.

I feel that there are great minds up there who would like to see what I can do with an Oscar nomination. I guess many people would change after a nomination in the way they see things. In my case it`s really irrelevant in terms of what I do. Still, it was an incredible experience which I will put in my memories, like everything else. (On his Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor for Running on Empty (1988) in 1989.)

I wish sometimes I wasn`t as conscientious as I am.

In simplicity there is truth.

I`m really normal. I play football, go to the beach, drive. We have dogs. I can imagine people calling me a character, but I`m Joe Straight.

Music is my main goal, but I`m not going to rush a record out. There are so many actors who have come out with albums these days. I don`t want to do it because it`s the thing to do. I want to wait until the time is right.

I would just look at Harrison [Harrison Ford]; he would do stuff and I would not mimic it, but interpret it younger. Mimicking is a terrible mistake that many people make when they play someone younger, or with an age difference. Mimicking doesn`t interpret true because you can`t just edit it around. [on his interpretation of a young Indiana Jones in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)]

When I was old enough to realize all meat was killed, I saw it as an irrational way of using our power, to take a weaker thing and mutilate it. It was like the way bullies would take control of younger kids in the schoolyard.

I can`t on my own change the regime in South Africa or teach the Palestinians to learn to live with the Israelies, but I can start with me.

I would rather quit while I was ahead. There`s no need in overstaying your welcome.

I try to lie as much as I can when I`m interviewed. It`s reverse psychology. I figure if you lie, they`ll print the truth.

Every day of my life since I finished My Own Private Idaho (1991), at some point in the day, I find the conversation somehow goes back to that film, because it was just such a great experience. I just start getting all joyous and start babbling about it. [on his feelings about My Own Private Idaho (1991) just after the film`s release in 1991]

We all have our distinct things. Leaf [brother Joaquin Phoenix] was the family clown--very witty, very smart. Mom had to work a lot, so Rainbow [sister Rain Phoenix] was the mother and the older sister and trendsetter. Liberty [sister Liberty Phoenix] was always the most physical, like an acrobat, very nimble and strong, a really beautiful girl. And Summer [sister Summer Phoenix] was the youngest, the baby of the family, with big brown eyes and blonde hair, more American-looking.

We were constantly moving to different countries and adjusting to new things. It was such a free feeling. I`m glad I didn`t have a traditional upbringing.

I did my best work in The Mosquito Coast. I know it wasn`t such a big hit, but for me it was more meaningful than anything else I`d ever done.

If I have some celebrity, I hope I can use it to make a difference. The true social reward is that I can speak my mind and share my thoughts about the enviroment and civilisation itself. There`s so much shit happening with people who are exploiting their positions and creating a lot of negativity.

He was my brother and I loved him a great deal. It was just an awful, awful mistake. We fed off each other and learned a lot from each other. [R.E.M. singer Michael Stipe, speaking soon after River`s death. He later called River`s passing "the most shattering experience of my life."]

People wonder if I`ll always be a part of this family and the answer is yes. My family has a lot of good energy going in one direction and because of it, we get a lot of things done. That`s why I`ll always spend a lot of time at Camp Phoenix.

I wouldn`t eat a hamburger for 40,000 dollars.

I would never, never do anything unless I believed in it.

I have a lot of chameleon qualities, I get very absorbed in my surroundings.

I don`t want to die in a car accident. When I die it`ll be a glorious day. It`ll probably be a waterfall.

I have twenty personalities on top of the ten I already have. So now I have thirty people in my head!

Commercials were too phony for me. I just didn`t like selling a product I didn`t believe in.

Everything is ironic to me. There are moments I find hysterical, but I`m probably the only one who would find that, except for a few people.

We are taught to consume. And that`s what we do. But if we realized that there really is no reason to consume, that it`s just a mind set, that it`s just an addiction, then we wouldn`t be out there stepping on people`s hands climbing the corporate ladder of success.

Vegetarianism is a link to perfection and peace.

I don`t see any point or any good in drugs that are as disruptive as cocaine.

"I`ve just bought 800 acres of forest on the border of Panama and Costa Rica. I want to buy the last "first growth forest" and turn it into a national park. It`s a human tragedy of immense proportions. Many native Indians in that region are losing their homes daily, and it`s going to affect both you and me, because that`s where most of the world`s oxygen comes from. The Amazon rain forests are the world`s lungs and without them we will not be able to breath. It`s a very scary thought and it`s not too far off."

“Music is a whole oasis in my head. The creation process is so personal and fulfilling.”

“I`m just a normal guy doing a job!”

“People are constantly trying to make an image for you. They`ll dress you up and tell you to pose a certain way and take all these pictures... they want a certain image, so they create that. And unless you`re spending a lot of time to create another image to counteract that image, theirs will win. So right now, I`m kind of dealing with a lot of false ideas of what I`m about.”

“After Stand By Me came out people were telling me, `You`re so good,` `You`re going to be a star,` and things like that. You can`t think about it. If you take it the wrong way, you can really get high on yourself. People get so lost when that happens to them. They may think they have everything under control, but everything is really out of control. Their lives are totally in pieces.”

“I don`t want to die in a car accident. When I die it`ll be a glorious day. It`ll probably be a waterfall.”

“It still strikes me as strange that anyone could have any moral objection to someone else`s sexuality. It`s like telling someone else how to clean their house.”

“I have twenty personalities on top of the ten I already have. So now I have thirty people in my head!”

When I was in first grade, everyone made fun of my name, of course. I think it`s kind of a big name to hold up when you`re nine years old. It seemed goofy. I used to tell people I wanted to change the world and they used to think, `This kid`s really weird`.

We were constantly moving to different countries and adjusting to new things. It was such a free feeling. I`m glad I didn`t have a traditional upbringing.

Vegetarianism is a link to perfection and peace.

Rich kids gave us their old clothes. They were the best clothes we ever had. We were these very pure, naive, poor children. The rich kids called us a lot of names but it never bothered us because we didn`t know what the words meant.

People wonder if I`ll always be a part of this family and the answer is yes. My family has a lot of good energy going in one direction and because of it, we get a lot of things done. That`s why I`ll always spend a lot of time at Camp Phoenix.

I`ve been wanting to go into music ever since I can remember. I mean even before I became an actor. I just thought it would be a tough field to break into, so I became an actor instead.

I`m really normal. I play football, go to the beach, drive. We have dogs. I can imagine people calling me a character, but I`m Joe Straight.

I would never, never do anything unless I believed in it.

I sometimes lie, especially about personal things, because what does it matter? I am a kind of minute commodity, my name is no longer my own.

I have a lot of chameleon qualities, I get very absorbed in my surroundings.

I can`t on my own change the regime in South Africa or teach the Palestinians to learn to live with the Israelies, but I can start with me.

Commercials were too phony for me. I just didn`t like selling products I didn`t believe in.

When I was old enough to realize all meat was killed, I saw it as an irrational way of using our power, to take a weaker thing and mutilate it. It was like the way bullies would take control of younger kids in the schoolyard.