Big brothers can have a big impact - this obviously also applies to the acting career of Joaquin Phoenix. The Hollywood star has honored his late brother River Phoenix (1970-1993) in a speech.
At the gala of the 44th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), the 44-year-old told that his brother had encouraged him to act. "I'm in his debt, acting has given me such an incredible life," he said, according to a video on the Variety website.
In his speech, he described in detail the crucial moment: "When I was 15 or 16 years old, my brother River got home after working on a video tape of the movie 'Raging Bull.' He sat me down and let me watch the movie. " The next day he woke him up and let him see the movie one more time. "And then he said: You start acting again, you will do that." Phoenix had worked as a child actor early on.
His brother had not asked him, but asked. Phoenix was just 19 years old when his brother River died of a drug overdose at age 23.
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Joaquin Phoenix: Thanks to the brotherPhoenix is currently starring in the psycho thriller "Joker". Phoenix embodies the legendary Batman opponent. The film by American Todd Phillips was awarded the Golden Lion for best film at the Venice Festival. At the world premiere in Venice, Phoenix was celebrated for his performance with eight-minute applause.
Before the role, he has "insane failure," said Phoenix the film portal "Collider" last year - while he has experience playing with the evil. Previously, Hollywood greats such as Jack Nicholson, Jared Leto and Heath Ledger appeared in the role of the Joker.
Phoenix has been nominated three times for the Oscar and three times for the Golden Globe. In 2006 he won a Golden Globe for his role as Johnny Cash in the movie "Walk the Line".