Prefers music of people from Ella Fitzgerald to Public enemy, Beatles, Marvin Gaye, John Lennon, Queen, Miles Davis and Bob Marley because they are simple and honest

Inspired by movies of Billy Crudup. Ed Norton and Matt Damon

It was River who persuaded Joaquin to transfer back to his birth name from `Leaf.`

Iris Burton discovered Joaquin and the Phoenix family. Other discoveries included Kirsten Dunst and Henry Thomas, with her clients including Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Drew Barrymore, Tori Spelling, Fred Savage, Jerry O`Connell [was in stand by me, River Phoenix], Kirk Cameron and Josh Hartnett

Does not watch much television and prefers to view documentrys.

Is an "occasional rapper."

Enjoys Photography and often takes photos of wildlife with friends.

Favorite authors include Tennessee Williams, Rainer Maria Rilke and Hubert Selby Jr..

Spoke Spanish as a small child but forgot most of it as he got older.

He and his brother have both appeared in film series that involved Harrison Ford. River Phoenix played the young Indiana Jones in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989), and Ford's son in The Mosquito Coast (1986). Joaquin is among those being considered to play John Clarke in the Jack Ryan spin-off Without Remorse (2008), a character that Willem Dafoe played opposite Ford in Clear and Present Danger (1994).

Contrary to popular belief, the scar on his lip is not the result of a repaired cleft lip or palate. It is simply a birth mark. Phoenix has stated in interviews that, while pregnant with him, his mother felt a sharp pain one day, and he was born with a mark on his lip.

Rides a Ducati motorcycle and a yellow '72 Le Mans.

Is a spokesperson for PETA.

Phoenix was in car accident January 2006 on a winding canyon road that flipped his car over. Shaken and confused, Phoenix heard a tapping on his window and a voice say, "Just relax". Unable to see the man, Phoenix replied, "I'm fine. I am relaxed". Then managed to see that the man was famed, eccentric German auteur Werner Herzog, and Herzog replied, 'No, you're not'. After helping Phoenix out of the wreckage, Herzog phoned in an ambulance and vanished.

Often brings his mother or any of his three sisters as his date to movie premieres or award shows.

He and River Phoenix are the first brothers to be nominated for acting Academy Awards.

Phoenix is half a foot shorter than the real Johnny Cash was, although he plays him in Walk the Line (2005).

Shares a birthday with actress Julia Roberts.

Took his mother to the Academy Awards. [2001]

Did his own vocals on the Walk the Line (2005) soundtrack.

Became an uncle again after sister, Summer Phoenix, gave birth to Indiana August Affleck (2004).

Checked himself into rehab to be treated for alcoholism in early April 2005.

26 January 2006 - Escaped injury after his car overturned. The crash reportedly was caused by brake failure.

Took his mother to the premiere of Gladiator (2000).

Joaquin has been nominated for 3 categories in the Music Video Production Association Awards (2006), Directorial Debut, Direction of a New Artist, and Adult Contemporary.

Was friends with Heath Ledger.

Is of Russian, Spanish and Hungarian heritage.

Kate Winslet calls him the best actor of his generation.

Close friends with Vince Vaughn.

Close friends with Matt Damon.

Owns two cats.

In his diner scene with Sean Penn in U Turn (1997) the song "Ring of Fire" by Johnny Cash starts playing. Years later, Joaquin played Cash in Walk the Line (2005).

Brother-in-law and best friend of Casey Affleck.

Invited to join AMPAS in 2006.

Reportedly never reads his own press or reviews.

Uncle of Liberty Phoenix`s children Rio Everest, Indigo Orion and another boy, and Summer Phoenix`s son Indiana August.

Joaquin`s mother is of Hungarian-Russian decent and his father is of Spanish-Irish decent.

Resides in New York City in the same apartment building as best friend Casey Affleck and sister Summer Phoenix and director Gus Van Sant.

Was born on same day, year and city as Dayanara Torres.

He is a strict vegan. He refuses to wear any costumes made out of animal skin. For the movie Gladiator (2000), Quills (2000) and Walk the Line (2005), among others, he requested that his "leather" costumes be made from synthetic materials.

Once refused to wear shoes during a photo shoot for Prada because they were made out of leather.

His first name is pronounced "WAA-keen"

Brother of River Phoenix, Summer Phoenix, Rain Phoenix and Liberty Phoenix

Was born Joaquin Rafael, but at the age of four he decided that he wanted a more earthy name, like his elder siblings River and Rain, so while he was raking leaves with his father he decided on Leaf. In the early `90s he took back his birth name.