Posts Tagged ‘joaquin phoenix’

Gwyneth Doubts Joaquin’s Career Change

March 16th, 2009

Bad sign for Joaquin Phoenix and the load of crazy he’s been trying to sell fans lately – even his Two Lovers co-star Gwyneth Paltrow doesn’t believe he really wants to quit acting and become a rapper.

 

"I’m not a hundred percent sure that that’s really going to be the case," she told MTV UK during a promotional junket for the film. "I think that there might be some other explanation or something going on. I’m not quite sure what, but I can’t believe that he’s really going to quit forever to become a rapper. It seems odd."

 

Right? More than odd, recently, as Joaquin had a show in Miami where he got into a fight with a heckler. He also made a furry, slurry, odd appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman that has further convinced the public that it’s all just an act. An act Gwyneth herself might get into.

 
"I’d like to take this opportunity to announce that I’m quitting acting to become a rapper," joked Gwyneth. "So, I’m going to write ‘good-bye’ across my knuckles and everything. Do you have a pen?"

Joaquin Throws Down at Gig

March 12th, 2009

So, remember when Joaquin Phoenix was clean-shaven and nominated for an Oscar? Those days seem to be long gone, as the actor has been trying his hand at growing a long scruffy beard, acting nutty on late night talk shows, and turning out some rhymes as a "rapper."

 

The sunglassed-wonder made a go of it again in Miami last night at the Fontainebleau Hotel – but apparently he hasn’t had enough experience onstage to know how to deal with hecklers.

 

After one rowdy audience member wouldn’t quit, Joaquin fought back, verbally at first, with "I’ve got a million in the bank; what’ve you got?" and then fought back with fists, jumping into the crowd to deal with the heckler.

 

Things kept going downhill as he was escorted by security from his own gig. See the video below:

 

Is Joaquin Walking the Insanity Line?

February 27th, 2009

Joaquin Phoenix has displayed some odd behavior lately–but is it bordering on mentally ill?

According to a Chicago-based psychiatrist who has not treated the star, the answer is yes.

According to E! News, Dr. Paul Dobransky has never met the allegedly retired actor, but he tells the L.A. Times that Phoenix has displayed "socially inappropriate behavior" during his recent bizarre public appearances, including his now infamous stint on David Letterman.

"There is something wrong," Dobransky says. "And it’s beyond drug use."

Now Phoenix’s rep is lashing out with fighting words. "How absolutely inappropriate for a doctor who has no personal interaction or relationship with someone to diagnose them," publicist Susan Patricola says. "Hope they spelled his name right! Another 15-minute expert is born! Astonishingly inappropriate!"

Dobransky is a noted pop psychologist and author of such books as The Power of Female Friendship and The Secret Psychology of How We Fall In Love.

He defended Phoenix to the L.A. Times, admitting that he found Ben Stiller’s parody of the actor at the Oscars undeserving.  "I was pretty offended by that skit at the Oscars," Dobransky said. "It struck me as potentially beating down on the mentally ill. The jury is not exactly in on what is happening. "Whatever it is, it’s not funny—whether it’s drug abuse, mental illness coming on or the clumsiest attempt ever at a career change."

 

Of course, Dobransky fails to acknowledge the whole thing may be a put on. Phoenix’s purported career change, from Oscar-nominated actor to awful hip-hopster, is being chronicled by a camera crew helmed by brother-in-law Casey Affleck for what many  consider a Borat-style production.

Joaquin Phoenix Still Acting Weird

February 12th, 2009

So, what exactly is going on with Joaquin Phoenix? The actor, who said he’s done with movies and wants to focus on his music, has made a slew of bizarre appearances recently, including a widely-panned rap gig last month.

And now the bearded, sunglasses-wearing Joaquin has made another odd showing, on The Late Show with David Letterman last night. Nodding and fidgeting, he slurred his words when Dave asked about his beard.

"I’m okay with it, but now you’re making me feel weird about it," replied Joaquin.

Speaking of feeling weird, the entire interview is a bit baffling as Joaquin barely speaks and the audience can’t help but continually break into laughter as Dave looks at him confusedly.

When Dave asks about his music and Joaquin says he does "more of hip hop music," the audience giggles, prompting the bearded one to ask, "Is this a joke?"

You tell us, Joaquin. You tell us.

Watch a few minutes of the interview below:

 

Is Joaquin Faking a Meltdown?

January 28th, 2009

Those in the audience on the night Joaquin Phoenix debuted his shuffling, incoherent rap act, which culminated in the recently retired actor falling off the stage, might not be surprised to hear that the Walk the Line star is just trying to pull a fast one on Hollywood.

 

Sources tell Entertainment Weekly that Joaquin, who announced in October that he was not going to act anymore, is playing us all. "He said, ‘It’s a put-on. I’m going to pretend to have a meltdown and change careers, and Casey is going to film it,’" says one source close to the actor.

 

Casey Affleck, Joaquin’s brother-in-law and pal, has been with the bearded wonder during most of his public shows of wackiness, filming it all for a supposed documentary about Joaquin’s career transition.

 

"It’s an art project for him," a source tells EW of Joaquin. "He’s going full out. He probably has told his reps that he’s quit acting. Joaquin is very smart. This is very conscious. He has a huge degree of control."

Photos: Joaquin & Casey Team Up for Vegas Concert

January 17th, 2009 / Author: OK! Staff

Who could be in a better position to understand <a href="http://okmagazine.com/search/joaquin" target="_blank"><strong>Joaquin Phoenix</strong></a> than <a href="http://okmagazine.com/search/casey" target="_blank"><strong>Casey Affleck</strong></a>? They’re both the younger brothers of superstars — Casey’s big bro <a href="http://okmagazine.com/search/affleck" target="_blank"><strong>Ben Affleck</strong></a> and Joaquin’s revered late sibling River Phoenix — who have managed to step out of the shadows and earn accolades of their own.

And what better way for Casey to begin his new career as a director than to make a documentary about Joaquin, who recently retired from acting (or so he says) to focus on making music?

So that was the scene on Friday night at club LAVO inside The Palazzo in Las Vegas, where a barely recognizable Joaquin, who surprised many with his singing chops when he portrayed Johnny Cash in Walk the Line, stepped on stage before a curious crowd and in front of Casey’s cameras.

<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3340/3203909437_cbb1f9274d_o.jpg" width="400" height="668" alt="Joaquin on LAVO Terrace" />

Before the show, the Gladiator star enjoyed a specially prepared vegan meal in LAVO’s private dining room.

<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3495/3203909669_92ee51cdfa_o.jpg" width="400" height="720" alt="Joaquin at LAVO Side" />

Later, after a bit of beer at the bar while listening to the sounds of DJ Five, Phoenix took to the stage for a brief three-song set during which he stopped only to light a cigarette and take a quick swig of a cold beverage.

After he finished performing, Joaquin accidentally tripped leaving the stage and slid down the banquette. According to witnesses, he celebrated by "dancing around and jumping up and down so hard his beanie flew off."

Bardot Mondays

November 18th, 2008

When I lived in NYC Monday night was generally my biggest night out of the week. A creature of  habit, Monday would often be Stanton Social (you haven’t lived until you’ve tried a French Onion Soup Dumpling) and then Butter.

Since moving to LA, where people actually go out on the weekends (I’m still adjusting to this culture shock) coupled with having to be up for work at 5:30am Monday mornings, I no longer go out on Monday nights. This may change. Ryan Gosling and his friend Zach Shields have been doing some deejay gigs under the name Dead Man’s Bones and seem to have a Monday night residency at Bardot, although friends say, ‘It’s not really a regular thing for Ryan, he just does it to have fun and hang out with friends.” Whatever his reasons, I think I have to start getting out more on Monday. How many more Monday nights can I go sitting on my couch watching “Gossip Girl” and the (tears) soon-to-be-ceased “My Own Worst Enemy” when I’m getting texts from friends that Casey Affleck, Joaquin Phoenix and fresh from the set Lance Bass are all dancing at Bardot.

Oddly, I’m told the normally low-key Joaquin Phoenix even went to Bardot with cameras in tow last night. Someone said that Joaquin, who announced on a red carpet last week that he was retiring from acting to focus on music, was filming his transition from acting to music. Is documentary the bridge between the two?

Celeb Boomerang Retirements

November 11th, 2008 / Author: OK! Staff
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Joaquin Phoenix: Quitting Acting?

October 28th, 2008

In a bit of surprising news, Joaquin Phoenix, who turns 34 today, has announced that he’s leaving the acting business, most likely for good.

 

"I want to take this opportunity to give you the exclusive, that this will be my last performance as an actor," the Walk the Line star tells Extra’s Jerry Penacoli while being trailed by his own camera crew. "I’m not doing films anymore."

After being asked by Penacoli if he was serious, Joaquin affirmed his intention to quit acting, replying, "Yeah. I’m working on my music. I’m done. I’ve been through that."

Casey Affleck, who happened to be standing with Joaquin, also seemed convinced.

 

"I don’t think he’s kidding," he says. "He’s got music and stuff."

 

When Extra contacted the actor’s rep to receive clarifaction that he was indeed dropping out of movies, the response was, "That is what he told me."

 

Say it ain’t so, Joaquin!

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