Joaquin Phoenix

Joaquin Phoenix
October 28, 1974
San Juan, Puerto Rico

This mesmerizing double Scorpio digs deep inside himself to improve his performance.

'The reason I keep making movies is I hate the last thing I did. I'm trying to rectify my wrongs.'

Joaquin Phoenix's Tarot Reading

Joaquin Rafael Bottom was born in Puerto Rico to parents who went from being Children of God missionaries traveling Central and South America to an NBC secretary and a landscaper living in Los Angeles. John Bottom Amram, of Spanish-Irish descent and Arlyn Dunitz Jochebed, of Hungarian-Russian descent and better known as 'Heart,' changed the family name to Phoenix to honor their constant new beginnings.

'I had a really wonderful upbringing,' says Joaquin. 'We were a tight family. It was wonderful to grow up with so many siblings. We were all just a year or two apart, and we were always so supportive of each other. I learned everything from my older brother and sister and taught it to my younger sisters.'

His older brother is the late River Phoenix. His older sister is Rain and his younger sisters are Liberty and Summer Phoenix. For a while he called himself 'Leaf' to be more like his earthy-sounding siblings. 'I remember us being poor, but I never felt embarrassed, or like I was missing anything,' he recalls. 'I don't remember the hardship of trying to make it, just how my parents always managed to get through.'

The Phoenix kids were encouraged to develop their creative instincts and they all went into acting. It was a natural choice for Joaquin: 'I suck at painting and writing; I tried both. For me, it's acting because I grew up with it. When we moved to California, we all did commercials and TV shows. Riv was the first to get a TV show and me and my sister Liberty guest-starred on another show. It was kind of accidental.'

His first film was Space Camp (1986) followed by Russkies (1987). His third and final film as 'Leaf' Phoenix was Parenthood (1989). He went back to his real name after that. He also decided to step back from his acting career for a while. His parents' marriage was breaking up so he and his dad went to Mexico together.

On October 31, 1993 Joaquin was with his brother River at The Viper Room in Los Angeles. He was at his brother's side when he died of an overdose. Stunned by the tragedy, Joaquin did not return to acting for some time. 'After River's death, I felt like I was in an altered state. It took me over a year to get my life back,' he confesses. With the help of friends he was able to return to work, but at a much slower pace.

He earned critical acclaim as Nicole Kidman's star-struck fan in To Die For (1995). In 1997 he appeared in Oliver Stone's U-Turn with Sean Penn.

He received further kudos for his role in Inventing the Abbots (1997) alongside actress Liv Tyler. He and Liv began a relationship and were together for over two years.

Picking up the pace again, he did three films in 1998: 8mm, Clay Pigeons and Return to Paradise. 2000 brought three more, including blockbuster Gladiator opposite Russell Crowe. 'I don't know why I always get to play these guys who have few redeeming features,' says Joaquin. 'But don't knock it. Villains are much more fun.'

He also did two independent features in 2000, The Yards and Quills. His next movies were Buffalo Soldiers (2001), Signs (2002), Brother Bear (2003), It's All About Love (2003) and Ladder 49 (2003). In 2004 he appeared in The Village and Hotel Rwanda.

In 2005 his amazing portrayal of Johnny Cash in Walk the Line garnered him a Golden Globe and an Academy Award nomination. He and River are the first brothers to receive Oscar nods. In April 2005 he began treatment for alcoholism.

With his Sun in Scorpio Joaquin is magnetic, moody and somewhat secretive. 'The less someone knows about me, the better,' states the actor, 'because my intention is to play a variety of characters.' Reluctant to show his sensitivity, he lets only a handful of trusted souls into his inner world. His instincts and intuition are highly developed although he can't always explain his perceptions and sudden insights.

He is intensely passionate and loyal. He connects with his loved ones at a profound emotional level and can become suspicious of anyone or anything he perceives as a threat to that bond. When he gives his heart, he does so with complete devotion and expects an equal commitment in return. Breakups and goodbyes are enormously painful for him. When he has been wounded he is likely to brood about it for a long time. It's hard for him to forgive and forget. Instead, he might be inclined to get even.

He runs either hot or cold and does everything with zeal. He is tremendously strong-willed and his tenacity in pursuing his objectives often borders on obsession. He is endowed with fierce pride, courage and emotional depth.

Attracted to the hidden, dark side of life, Joaquin loves a mystery. He assumes nothing is as it seems and digs beneath the surface of any situation to find the truth.

Sun conjunct Mercury means there is little ambiguity about him. He knows what he wants and what will make him happy. Sun conjunct Mars makes him assertive and forceful. He has a powerful physical drive which expresses itself as sexuality and passion, a desire to compete with others and a tendency to fight. He has a victorious spirit and the will to win.

With Sun trine Jupiter he has big aspirations but does not struggle to achieve them. His self-confidence and inner harmony attract success in an almost magical way. His optimism and generosity draw many allies.

Sun conjunct Uranus tells us he identifies with the role of rebel. He insists upon a great deal of personal freedom and does not easily adapt to others' needs and wishes. He needs a lifestyle that allows him to be spontaneous. Often he feels that he is somehow different from other people and outside the mainstream of society.

Mercury in Libra indicates that one of his greatest assets is his ability to see both sides of an issue and to bring about reconciliation. Discreet and reasonable, he works well with people. He insists upon fairness and makes an excellent mediator. His diplomacy is a benefit in any situation. He has fine aesthetic sensitivities and works best in an artistic or cultural environment.

Mercury conjunct Uranus shows he is an independent and original thinker. He grasps ideas very quickly and finds slower minds to be irritating. He is considered rather eccentric by more conservative types. Says Joaquin, 'I enjoy humor more than anything; I don't really sit around banging my head and crying all the time.'

Mercury conjunct Mars/Uranus reveals he has a need to assert his individuality and to do things in a hurry. There is a nervous energy about him that could lead to accidents unless he is careful, especially since he rides a Ducati motorcycle. Uranus conjunct Mercury/Mars reiterates he has a tendency to act with haste and may not think things through very carefully. He is likely to make impulsive decisions.

Venus in Scorpio dictates that he bonds with his beloved at a profound level. About his relationship with Liv Tyler, he says, 'I'm a great believer in people coming into your life, and you into theirs, for a reason. And I know that when Liv and I met, it was for a reason -- I really needed her and she really needed me. And at a certain point, I think we stopped evolving with each other, stopped progressing, and made a very mature decision to move on, even though there was still a great love there ... I'm thankful that we had the time we had.'

Venus conjunct Mars makes him extremely amorous. He can't go without romantic involvement for very long. When he is attracted to someone, he may come on too strong. He can be possessive and very demanding with his partner. Creative or artistic work can help satisfy his potent desire for love and beauty. With Venus conjunct Sun/Mars he has a strong drive to express himself artistically.

Venus conjunct Uranus means he is spontaneous and easily aroused emotionally and sexually. He falls in love quickly and has little self-restraint when his feelings have been stirred. But it may be difficult for him to keep a relationship going after the first rush of excitement. Nontraditional relationships appeal to him and personal freedom is vital. Says Joaquin, 'My significant other right now is myself, which is what happens when you suffer from multiple personality disorder and self-obsession.'

Venus conjunct Sun/Mercury reveals he is strongly attracted to the opposite sex and his relationships tend to be harmonious. He probably will marry for love and his mate will be a friend as well as a lover. The atmosphere in his family life is affectionate and protective.

Mars in Libra suggests he vacillates between wanting things his way and being too eager to please. He strives to find a balance between these two extremes. Either way, he is not a loner. He achieves his goals by collaborating with others; by being a team player.

Mars conjunct Uranus promises he is self-motivated and determined, with extraordinary drive and energy. When he wants something, he wants it now. He acts quickly, impulsively and decisively. In his impatience he can be abrupt and reckless, but he needs the freedom to do things his own way. He can be very rebellious and intolerant of authority. He is frank, sometimes brutally so. He tends to be nervous, volatile, restless and daring. Mars conjunct Venus/Uranus suggests some of his contacts may have a strange quality or begin under unusual circumstances.

Jupiter in Pisces gives him the ability to empathize and identify with others. He cares about the underdog. Jupiter square Neptune suggests he has a need to escape from the demands of everyday life and reach out to something bigger. In 2006 he narrated the video Earthlings -- an investigation of factory farming. He is a supporter of animal rights and an avid spokesperson for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). A strict vegan, Joaquin has famously refused to wear leather, even for a film.

Saturn in Cancer tells us he fears becoming emotionally dependent upon others and may deny his needs for closeness and intimacy so that he won't be vulnerable to rejection or abandonment. Developing a deep, inner sense of security, as well as the ability to give and receive nurturing are important tasks for him. Musical and artistic endeavors are important to this process.

'I never think that I'm good at anything I do. I can always do it better, I know my weakness. I've never been perfect.'

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