Last updated on: November 28, 2025
Joaquin Phoenix is an American actor who has built a career out of taking roles most people would hesitate to touch. Born on October 28, 1974, he grew up in a tight-knit, artistic family and started acting early, but his breakthrough came later with films that showed how far he was willing to push himself. Whether it’s the troubled musician in Walk the Line, the lonely writer in Her, or the unsettling, unforgettable lead in Joker, Phoenix brings a kind of honesty and intensity that’s hard to look away from.
Away from films, he keeps things simple. He doesn’t chase fame, rarely plays by Hollywood’s usual rules, and focuses on causes he cares about, especially animal rights. People admire him not just for talent, but for staying different in an industry that tries to shape everyone the same way. Joaquin Phoenix remains one of the few actors who always surprises you—in the best way.
As of December 2025, Joaquin Phoenix is 51 years and 1 months old. His estimated net worth is $80 million, and he is 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm or 1.73 m) tall.
Bio/Wiki
Full Name
Joaquin Rafael Bottom
Nickname
Kitten, Joaq, Leaf
Profession
Actor, Producer, Music Video Director, Musician, Activist
Career
Debut
Film – Space Camp (1986)
TV Show – Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1982)
Best Known for
For playing Arthur Fleck in Joker (2019), Johnny Cash in Walk the Line, and Commodus in Gladiator.
Awards
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Academy Award for Best Actor for “Joker” (2019) (won).
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Academy Award nominations for:
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Best Supporting Actor for “Gladiator” (2000).
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Best Actor for “Walk the Line” (2005).
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Best Actor for “The Master” (2012).
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BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for “Joker” (won).
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Golden Globe Awards:
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Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama for “Joker” (won).
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Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for “Walk the Line” (won).
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Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role for “Joker” (won).
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Grammy Award for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media for “Walk the Line.”
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Volpi Cup for Best Actor for “The Master.”
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Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actor for “You Were Never Really Here.”
Personal Profile and Background Details
Date of Birth
October 28, 1974
Age
As of today, Joaquin Phoenix is 51 years, 1 months, and 8 days old.
Zodiac sign
Scorpio
Signature
Nationality
American
Birth Place
Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico
Residence
Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles, California, USA.
School / College / University
Joaquin Has been Home-Schooled
Religion
Joaquin Phoenix doesn’t follow any formal religion. He identifies as a secular Jew and has openly said he’s an atheist, someone who doesn’t believe in God, the afterlife, or even the idea of a soul. His early childhood was unusual—his family briefly joined the Children of God movement before leaving it behind, and after that, religion was never really pushed on him.
Today, Phoenix leans more toward personal values than spiritual systems. Forgiveness is something he thinks about a lot, especially after playing Jesus in Mary Magdalene, but he doesn’t tie it to any faith.
Race / Ethnicity
Joaquin Phoenix comes from a pretty mixed European background. His mom is Ashkenazi Jewish, with roots in Russia and Hungary, and his dad’s side is a blend of English and other British Isles ancestry, with a bit of German and French Huguenot in the mix.
Even though he was born in Puerto Rico, that part isn’t tied to his ethnicity—his parents were American missionaries at the time.
Food Habits
Joaquin Phoenix eats fully plant-based food and has for a long time. It’s not a trend for him—it’s a moral choice. He skips everything made from animals, whether it’s meat, milk, or even eggs, because he strongly believes in minimizing harm. His diet fits right into the bigger picture of who he is: someone who speaks up for animals and backs groups that work toward better treatment.
Hobbies
Singing, riding bikes and cars, listening to music.
Tattoo
None.
Physical Attributes and Measurements
Height
- In feet – 5′ 8″
- In Centimeters – 173 cm
- In meters – 1.73 m
Weight
- In kilograms – 81 kg
- In Pounds – 180 lbs
Body Measurements
- Chest Size: 38 inches
- Biceps Size: 13 inches
- Waist Size: 35 inches
Shoe size
11 (US)
Eye color
Green
Hair color
Dark Brown
Family
Wife
Rooney Mara (2024–Present)
Father
John lee Bottom (Landscaper)
Mother
Arlyn Bottom (Secretary for NBC)
Siblings
River Phoenix (August 23, 1970 – October 31, 1993): Eldest brother
Acclaimed child actor in Stand by Me and My Own Private Idaho; died of a drug overdose at 23 outside the Viper Room in Hollywood.
Rain Phoenix (born November 21, 1972): Older sister, actress
Liberty Phoenix (born July 5, 1976): Younger sister, former actress, now real estate agent
Summer Phoenix (born December 10, 1978): Youngest sister, actress
Jodean Bottom (Older Paternal Half-Sister) (born in 1964)
Children
River Mara Phoenix (Son) (born August 2020)
Sparrow Phoenix (Son) (born June 2024)
Relationship & More
Marital Status
In a relationship with Rooney Mara
Marriage Date
N/A
Girlfriend and Dating History
Jessica Joffe (1998)
Shannon Sossa Mon (2005-2006)
Lena Denasha (2010)
Liv Tyler (1995-1998)
Anna Friel (1999)
Inger Ebeltoff (2000)
Amelia Warner (2000)
Topaz Page-Green (2001 – 2005)
Anna Pacquin (2001)
Ginnifer Goodwin (2005)
Lindsay Lohan (2006)
Aria Crescendo (2010)
Heather Christie (2012)
Allie Teilz (2013 – 2014)
Rooney Mara (2016 – Present)
Favorite Things
Favorite Actor – Josh Brolin
Net worth 2025
$80 million
As of December 2025, it’s estimated that Joaquin Phoenix has a net worth of about $80 million, based on information from different reliable sources. He earns the majority of his income from acting. That’s the core of everything. But the way he gets paid has changed over the years. Early on, he made small six-figure paychecks. As he grew into one of Hollywood’s most respected actors, he started negotiating bigger upfront salaries, bonus deals, and sometimes profit participation.
He doesn’t chase endorsements or flashy brand deals. Phoenix keeps a low profile and prefers work that feels meaningful rather than commercial. So, almost all of his earnings come from movies, creative projects, and long-term residuals from his film library.
Major Income Source #1: Movie Salaries
This is where Phoenix makes the bulk of his money. Let’s break down the biggest confirmed or reliably reported paychecks:
Joker (2019) — Around $4.5 Million
For Joker, Phoenix accepted a modest (by superstar standards) fee of about $4.5 million. At the time, nobody predicted the film would cross the $1 billion mark. That success completely changed his earning power and positioned him for a massive raise in the sequel.
While there’s speculation that he may have received backend bonuses, the only widely reported figure is the base salary.
Joker: Folie à Deux (2024) — Around $20 Million
After the runaway success of the first film, Phoenix renegotiated hard. Reports from major industry outlets put his paycheck for the sequel at about $20 million. That jump shows how Hollywood pays once an actor proves they can carry a billion-dollar blockbuster on their own.
This has been his biggest confirmed payday so far.
Walk the Line (2005) — Around $3.5 Million
Phoenix reportedly made about $3.5 million for playing Johnny Cash. The movie became a critical and commercial hit, and it helped him move from respected actor to award-season regular.
Signs (2002) — Around $1 Million
For M. Night Shyamalan’s Signs, he earned roughly $1 million—a strong salary for that stage of his career.
Quills (2000) — Around $375,000
Earlier in his career, Phoenix’s paychecks were more grounded. Reports list his earnings from Quills at about $375,000, which was typical for supporting actors rising in the industry.
Gladiator (2000) — Estimated Mid-Six to Low-Seven Figures
His exact salary for Gladiator hasn’t been confirmed publicly. Most insiders estimate anywhere between a few hundred thousand to around $1 million. Regardless of the exact number, the success of that film dramatically improved his market value.
Major Income Source #2: Profit Participation & Bonuses
Sometimes Joaquin Phoenix takes deals where he earns less upfront but gets bonuses based on a film’s performance. Hollywood calls this “backend participation.”
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If a movie hits certain box-office milestones
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If it wins major awards
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If it performs exceptionally well on streaming or home release
…he can receive extra payments beyond his initial salary.
For Joker, industry insiders believe he may have received performance-based incentives, though no official figures have been publicly confirmed.
These types of deals can quietly add millions over time.
Major Income Source #3: Producer Fees & Creative Involvement
Phoenix occasionally works behind the scenes—especially on documentaries or socially driven films. When he takes on a producer or executive producer role, he earns:
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Producer fees
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Backend revenue from the project
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Long-term residuals
These aren’t blockbuster-level paychecks, but they provide steady income and align with his personal values.
Major Income Source #4: Residuals & Royalties
Every time Joaquin Phoenix’s movies play on:
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TV
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Streaming platforms
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International networks
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Airline entertainment
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Home video sales
…he earns residual payments.
This is passive income that continues for years. Considering how many of his films stay in rotation—Gladiator, Her, Walk the Line, Joker, and more—residuals add up significantly.
Does Joaquin Phoenix Do Brand Deals or Ads?
Not really.
Unlike many A-list celebrities, Phoenix avoids commercial endorsements. He rarely appears in ads and doesn’t attach himself to lifestyle brands. That means he’s missing out on millions that many stars make from sponsorships, but it fits who he is: private, calm, and uninterested in being a product.
How Much Is Joaquin Phoenix Worth?
Most reliable estimates place Joaquin Phoenix’s net worth between $80 million and $110 million. That range makes sense when you add up:
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More than three decades of film revenue
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Multiple seven-figure salaries
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$20M+ for his latest franchise entry
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Residuals that never stop
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Periodic producer income
He’s wealthy, but not in the flashy, publicly branded way many stars are. His money mostly comes from acting and from choosing quality work that stands the test of time.
How Joaquin Phoenix Makes Money
If we boil everything down, here’s the real picture:
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Acting is his main income
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Big movies = big paychecks
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Joker completely changed his salary bracket
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He earns long-term money from residuals
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He avoids endorsements
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He sometimes produces projects he cares about
His career is built on powerful performances, selective choices, and long-term value—not flashy side gigs.
Social Media Profiles
He is not active on social media.
Most watched videos of Joaquin Phoenix














