Phoenix was born in Puerto Rico in 1974. His parents were missionaries and traveled often during his childhood.
As a child actor, he appeared in shows like Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and Backwards: The Riddle of Dyslexia alongside his brother River Phoenix.
He portrayed Johnny Cash in the 2005 biopic Walk the Line, doing his own singing in the film. This role won him the Academy Award for Best Actor.
Phoenix is an environmental activist and has collaborated on several documentaries about animal rights and the environment.
He was nominated for an Oscar for his role as the villain Commodus in the 2000 film Gladiator.
Known for immersing himself fully in his roles, Phoenix lost 52 pounds for his role in the 2012 film The Master.
Phoenix has a reputation for being eccentric - he once pretended to retire from acting to pursue a rap career as his alias "JP".
In 2019's Joker, Phoenix delivered an intense, unsettling performance as the iconic Batman villain. This role won him his second Oscar.
He has been nominated for four Academy Awards for acting, winning one. He has also received a Grammy and a Golden Globe Award.
He is set to star as Napoleon Bonaparte in an upcoming historical drama directed by Ridley Scott.