Oscar nominated actor Joaquin Phoenix has ventured behind the camera, directed music videos, produced movies and television shows and has recorded an album, the sound track to Walk the Line. He has announced that Two Lovers will be his final film. He’s quitting acting.
He played Johnny Cash in the 2005 film Walk the Line and was nominated for six awards and won three, including a Golden Globe, and a Grammy. He won a People’s Choice award for his 2007 role in We Own the Night.
At the Paul Newman benefit, he told Extra‘s Jerry Penacole, “I want to take this opportunity to give you the exclusive that this is my last performance as an actor. I’m not doing films anymore.” Penacole said, “Are you serious?” Phoenix responded, “Yeah, I’m working on my music. I’m done.”
Casey Affleck was with Phoenix during this exchange with the Extra reporter. Penacole asked him, “I take it that he’s kidding.” Affleck said, “I don’t think he’s kidding. He’s got music and stuff.” Extra called Phoenix’ rep to verify the story. His response was, “That’s what he told me.”
The actor is recording an album with Tim Burgess, lead singer of The Charlatans. Phoenix wrote the songs that will be sung by Anthony Langdon.
Joaquin’s brother River Phoenix died of a drug overdose in 1993 outside The Viper Room, a nightclub owned by Johnny Depp. The 911 tape recording of Joaquin calling for help was played over the air waves in a steady stream that sent the actor out of the public eye for over a year before he was coaxed back into acting.
Photo gallery below.