Joaquin Phoenix has a career in acting.
Joaquín Rafael Phoenix ( [ ˌhwɑːˈkiːn ] born Joaquín Rafael Bottom ; October 28 , 1974 ) , known formerly as Leaf Phoenix , is a Puerto Rican -- born American actor , producer , music video director , musician and activist . He has subsequently earned Best Actor nominations for portraying musician Johnny Cash in the biopic Walk the Line ( 2005 ) and for his role as Freddie Quell , a sex-obsessed alcoholic World War II veteran in the drama film The Master ( 2012 ) , the latter winning him the Volpi Cup for Best Actor . To this date , he and River Phoenix hold the distinction of being the first and only brothers to be nominated for acting Academy Awards . Parenthood is a 1989 American comedy-drama film with an ensemble cast that includes Steve Martin , Tom Hulce , Rick Moranis , Martha Plimpton , Joaquin Phoenix , Keanu Reeves , Jason Robards , Mary Steenburgen , and Dianne Wiest .