Joaquin Phoenix: ‘The Master’ Star Says Rap Hoax Saved His Career
Joaquin Phoenix spent the better part of two years looking like he was on the edge of homelessness, with a long beard, aspirations to become a hip-hop star, and bizarre appearances that left many fans wondering if he was on drugs.
He says the hoax of his spiral into madness was actually what saved his career. The new persona was created for a documentary by Joaquin Phoenix’s friend and brother-in-law Casey Affleck, I’m Not Here.
Though it confused the public and brought him some criticism — especially after a bizarre interview with David Letterman — Phoenix said the hoax helped him take a step back from the rigors of acting.
“Part of why I was frustrated with acting was because I took it so seriously,” Joaquin Phoenix told Time. “I want it to be so good that I get in my own way … Once I became a total buffoon, it was so liberating.”
He added:
“I’d see child actors and I’d get so jealous, because they’re just completely wide open. If you could convince them that something frightening was going to happen, they would actually feel terror. I wanted to feel that so badly. I’d just been acting too long, and it had kind of been ruined for me. I wanted to put myself in a situation that would feel brand-new and hopefully inspire a new way of approaching acting. It did do that for me.”
The resurgence of his career in the release of the Paul Thomas Anderson film The Master proves that Joaquin Phoenix may have been on to something, the Washington Post noted.
The Master was given a limited release Friday and will open more widely next week. Critics are lauding Joaquin Phoenix’s performance in the movie that is loosely based on the early days of Scientology, and the movie itself had a successful turn at the film festival circuit.
The Master won big at the Venice Film Festival, with Anderson winning the Silver Lion for director and Philip Seymour Hoffman and Joaquin Phoneix splitting the best actor award. The film lost out on the top prize due to a technicality — it had won too many other awards already.
It’s still not exactly clear how genuine Joaquin Phoenix’s has been. During a press conference for The Master, Phoenix displayed some bizarre behavior, lighting up a cigarette on stage and later cutting off his photo session after a few seconds.
Tags : joaquin phoenix, Joaquin Phoenix booed, joaquin phoenix david letterman, joaquin phoenix drugs, philip seymour hoffman, the master, The Master Joaquin Phoenix
Posted: September 15, 2012
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Sep 15, 2012
Lighting a cigarette is "bizarre behavior?"
Sep 15, 2012
I love Joaquin, he is so good looking and talented! Happy for him!
Sep 15, 2012
He suck at music so he said it was a joke, yes right. Maybe he should try acting?
Sep 15, 2012
he had too much Johnny Cash in his head.
Sep 15, 2012
all actors need a brake once in awhile==whoever took those pictures should be ashammed of themselves on kate=and others mrs president shame onyou and all who take pictures like this==what does your husband say also your daughters==what would you do your daughters took pictures like this==ps==that goes for anyone.
Sep 15, 2012
He was so great as Johnny Cash. He deserved the Oscar for that role.
Sep 15, 2012
He was great doingthe voice of Brother Bear. Leave Joaquin alone and let him do what he wants. I can't see where he had hurt anyone.
Sep 15, 2012
I don't care how bizarre he acts, I'm glad he's back to making movies! Really missed him!
Sep 15, 2012
He's such an interesting man, and he's an incredible actor. I think it must be very hard to maintain a sense of one's own self when you are able to immerse yourself in a character to that point. I mean, the letdown of coming out of it afterwards, and doing that repeatedly, must be very difficult.
Sep 15, 2012
What a freak!
Sep 15, 2012
@Nathan Francis "The new persona was created for a documentary by Joaquin Phoenix’s friend and brother-in-law Casey Affleck, I’m Not Here." The doc is I'm Still Here.
Sep 15, 2012
@Nathan Francis "The new persona was created for a documentary by Joaquin Phoenix’s friend and brother-in-law Casey Affleck, I’m Not Here." The doc is I'm Still Here.
Sep 15, 2012
@Nathan Francis "The new persona was created for a documentary by Joaquin Phoenix’s friend and brother-in-law Casey Affleck, I’m Not Here." The doc is I'm Still Here.
Sep 15, 2012
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Sep 16, 2012
He was my favorite. That will never happen again , Mosty cuz.
Sep 16, 2012
he is spoiled.
Sep 16, 2012
joaquin is great in anything he does
Sep 16, 2012
Terrific actor. Let the guy live his life. You media types need to backoff and quit judging people. Get a life of your own.
Sep 16, 2012
I thought the documentary was called i'm still here…NOT i'm not here , correct me if i am wrong
Sep 16, 2012
It bothers me that the weirder a celebrity behaves, they are ultimately rewarded for it in today's society. I don't care about how he comes off on film. It's clear he would be a pain in the a** to work with. There are too many "eccentricities" tolerated and way too many PR stunts that pay off.
I think he's an idiot for his rap hoax. Another overrated actor.
Sep 16, 2012
It bothers me that the weirder a celebrity behaves, they are ultimately rewarded for it in today's society. I don't care about how he comes off on film. It's clear he would be a pain in the a** to work with. There are too many "eccentricities" tolerated and way too many PR stunts that pay off.
I think he's an idiot for his rap hoax. Another overrated actor.
Sep 16, 2012
The crazy thing is, sometimes you become the part you are acting. And sometimes you can't get back.
Sep 17, 2012
In reply, he is not spoiled. He was practically forced to work as his parents had no money. He watched his brother die of an OD and was helpless. He has had a rather difficult time and despite this has delivered consistently great performances. Leave him alone.
Sep 17, 2012
NOT!
Sep 17, 2012
He's an ass.
Sep 17, 2012
Joaquin Phoenix is one of the most talented actors of our time. Who cares if he's a tad eccentric. It's what we see on the screen that counts.
Sep 17, 2012
Didn't miss him, don't care….probably had a talk with his agent and accountant and realized what a complete idiot he is when he could ka-ching for years………….who cares.
Sep 17, 2012
"During a press conference for The Master, Phoenix displayed some bizarre behavior" And this surprises you? He's always been a little off, but that doesn't take away from the fact that he is an amazing actor. Glad to see him return to the big screen.
Sep 17, 2012
Jo when you win best actor PLEASE don't treat it as a joke. Give it the respect it deserves and please take that moment to leave the fuckin weirdo you became two years ago – behind you!
Sep 17, 2012
The level of privilege that he exudes is beyond me. To go through such a masquerade for two years, then commenting that he was tired of acting speaks to me that he doesn't appreciate the life and luxury his life provides him. I truly wish that he sucked as an actor so that we could completely dismiss him as he apparently wanted us to for just over 2 years now.