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Published on 12/2/08
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For a kid who grew up in the religious cult Children of God (some prefer to call it a movement), Joaquin Phoenix didn’t turn out half bad. The twice Oscar-nominated performer has won a Golden Globe for acting like Johnny Cash (in the 2005 hit Walk the Line) and a Grammy for sounding like him. And one cannot forget his touching portrayal of a teen astronaut who befriends a robot in SpaceCamp.
This month, the 32-year-old actor has two movies coming out: Reservation Road, a dramatic thriller that follows the lives of two fathers who are struck by tragedy, and We Own the Night, a suspenseful crime flick that takes place in Brooklyn during the late- ’80s war on drugs. Phoenix lives in Los Angeles but he called us from a hotel in L.A. to discuss his work, his aversion to doing press and the lies he tells reporters.
Can I call you “Kitten”? Your profile on IMDb says that’s one of your nicknames. No, you can’t. That’s not true. I once told a journalist that girls call me “Kitten,” but I couldn’t have been more sarcastic, and no matter how many times I’ve said that it was a joke, it still doesn’t go away.
You’ve been called awkward, uncomfortable and nervous during interviews. Am I right to expect the worst? I think the day that I become comfortable doing interviews and going on talk shows is the day that I don’t know what it is to be a human being anymore. I’m quite comfortable and not awkward in my life, but when I do press I can be awkward, because I don’t enjoy it. I don’t like the attention.
I think you may have picked the wrong line of work. I was really naive about what’s involved in the film industry. I’ve been acting since I was eight, and I never looked at entertainment magazines, never watched entertainment shows. I don’t think one should be comfortable standing on a stage with people applauding and laughing at every stupid thing you say.
I think people clapping at every stupid thing I say sounds awesome! It’s one thing in a normal situation, when they genuinely like something you said, but when you’re with an audience that seems to be trained to applaud at any given moment, it’s hard to be really satisfied. It’s a fake orgasm.
What question are you most sick of reporters asking you? The one question I’ve been getting is: “Do you take this home with you?” And the truth is, no. But people don’t want to hear that. So it’s a weird situation, because you either tell people the truth, which is that there isn’t a whole lot going on, and then they don’t think highly of you. Or you just lie, which I do a million times.… “Oh yes, it’s really hard to sleep at night.” Yeah, it’s real hard to sleep when you have production assistants who will get you anything you want. You’re on a set where people are constantly taking care of you. It’s a piece of cake.
In We Own the Night, you play a hedonistic, drug-loving nightclub manager. That sounds like a fun role to prepare for. I never prepare. I think that’s completely overrated. It’s a very simple job. All you have to do is hit this bright mark, stand in the right spot and say the line. So I don’t really believe in preparation.
But you prepared for Ladder 49 by training with a fire academy. I just said that because I thought it would sound good to the press. Look, there are preparation changes every time. I don’t know why it seems to be of note that actors do any kind of preparation. It’s just what you’re supposed to do in your fucking job. Do you think that because you did some research that you deserve some special credit?
I’m not saying you deserve special credit. I just asked thatto get some good drug stories out of you. I have to take the next call. They’re giving me the signal.
Wait—one more question: As a vegan and an animal-rights activist, would you be offended if I told you I just ate a hot dog wrapped in bacon, while wearing a fur coat? [Click, dial tone]
We Own the Night opens Fri 12.
Reservation Road opens Oct 19.
Belle
Fri, Nov 21, at 12:54pm
I think it is utterly ridiculous that you call this an interview. Joaquin is an extremely talented actor, who quite frankly deserves better questions than that. It is also incredibly insensitive to ask him about drug stories, when he has suffered a clear drug-related tragedy in his family. The responses he gave you, were clearly provoked from you with contempt.
LILY
Fri, Nov 21, at 07:23am
When I first read this interview, I found jp very amusing, but also thought he was incredibly rude, but when i read it again, Iwell the first few questions are really provoking him. and that stupid joke she makes at the end. i think journalists should be familiar with how people work, and therefore pick up on an actor's/mood style and try to behave accordingly. or at least be polite. i really don't care about celeb status, but you know, he was having a bad day, so just be prodessional.
Liz Arpin
Sun, Apr 27, at 06:22pm
About the hotdog and fur coat question, I would of hung up on you too.
Enzo
Sun, Apr 20, at 10:20pm
Yeah, a first-grader would have come up with better questions than this. What a joke. I give him credit for even trying to answer these ridiculous questions until he couldn't take it anymore. The "journalist" on the other hand, kept trying to push his buttons and be coy and cute even when it was clear she'd blown it. It's not "celebrity worship" to give your interview subject decent questions and basic respect.
Tom
Sat, Apr 19, at 10:15pm
you have got to be the stupidest person alive, i seriously wouldn't be too fussed if i found out, you in particular, were dead laura leu. fucking pathetic, i hope someone rapes you tonite and forces that hotdog up ur ass, peace dirty south crew
peeperpooper
Fri, Apr 11, at 08:40pm
Yeah, hm..., I guess not having the journalistic smarts to to question using the words drugs and Phoenix when thinking up ideas for this interview might be considered a tad thoughtless. It might also be considered callous and mean-spirited. Oh, and also, horrible and shitty. I really don't think it had anything to do with your idiotic "joke" vegan query. Good luck in Hell & with your career, moron. I hope that TONY sticks with J. Sellers as their go-to person for these things from now on.
Trine
Mon, Mar 03, at 02:34pm
Greetings from Norway !
I luv this teddybear of all my heart <3
I want to hug him soooooo much !
Best dude and actor 4ever :)
Joaquin, wish you were here, but
you are anyway :)
Trine !
Genalu
Tue, Feb 19, at 02:36pm
First, you owe Joaquin a sincere apology. Second, you need to find a new career.
SANDRA GRIFFIN
Mon, Feb 04, at 06:08pm
I AM AN OLD TIME AND I JUST WISH I COULD TELL JOANQUIN I APPRECIATE THE FINE JOB HE DID IN WALK THE LINE, I COULD FEEL LIKE A YOUNG GIRL AGAIN AND LISTENING TO JOHNNY AGAIN,, WIH YOU ALL WOULD DO A FOLLOW UP MOVIE OF JUNE AND JOHNNY TOGETHER AND THEIR WORK, SANDRA GRIFFIN
Bobb Dobbs
Mon, Jan 07, at 10:41pm
The cult of celebrity worship, oh my -- the comments here!!!
He's a frick'n actor, not the Pope. If Leno or Letterman deride some hapless man-on-the-street you'd all laugh your arses off. But take on some self-important Saint Celebrity and you all get your righteous indignation on.
I'm kidding. Leave Britney alone!
Alex
Tue, Dec 04, 07, at 9:12am
This 'journalist' is a complete joke, one of those who think being rude is edgy or something, and even now she is probably loving the attention. To ask someone whose brother died from a drug overdose about drug stories is not only rude, but unbelievable. I'm glad Joaquin Phoenix hung up on you.
Elena
Mon, Dec 03, 07, at 11:17am
" Just ate a hot dog wrapped in bacon, while wearing a fur coat"????????????????????????? Laura, darlin'... Maybe Joaquin is too polite to answer to these kind of SAD sentences... But really... f*** U!
U don't even know what it means the word " journalist"!!!!
leah
Thu, Nov 29, 07, at 12:11am
i love joaquin phoenix's work. despite his behavior off camera i will continue to support him for the incredible actor he is.
this woman is completely crossing a line here.
laura
Thu, Nov 29, 07, at 12:09am
this actor is known for not enjoying interviews - with good reason - but why does she act offended by his comments as though they have ANYTHING to do with her? just what is this no name reporter trying to prove? i would like to apologize on the behalf of everyone who shares her name for her incompassionate behavior.
Laura
Sun, Nov 18, 07, at 8:09am
What kinda of interviewer asked these questions to him?? It's the most stupid interview I've ever read and if that was me I would have hung up too!
Janice
Thu, Nov 15, 07, at 11:18am
Do you have to wonder why he doesn't like the press? it's cause of rude and insincere, and incosiderate people like this interviewer, and she has the nerve to wonder why he hung up? MY GOD!.. he's not in the wrong line of work, i believe she is!
jpflwr
Mon, Nov 12, 07, at 11:11pm
You are a complete idiot for making a statement like that, a real idiot!!!
Little dolphin
Mon, Nov 12, 07, at 9:30pm
OMG!!! is this Laura Leu even a professional? I'm really sorry but this is not the kind of questions I would think a professional reporter would ask anyone. she started wrong and really bad already on her first question! I honestly think SHE might have been on something at the time. No one can be that stupid, rude, idiotic on purpose. It was the wrose interview I've ever seen and I think Joaquin Phoenix was very patient. I would have hung up on her long before!
anit
Mon, Oct 15, 07, at 2:12pm
Forget about the hot dog comment, the "good drug stories" was grossly flip and really inappropriate. You'd think the supposed reporter doing the interview would know that the man watched his famous brother die of an overdose on an LA street when he (Joaquin) was, like 15.
isabel
Sat, Oct 13, 07, at 7:41pm
omg! after that comment at the end about the hot dog, its NO WONDER!!!! he hung up on that btch.
maybe he did need to take the next call and all but still, that was very rude.
Sharona
Fri, Oct 12, 07, at 7:42pm
I guess it's considered cool these days for Ms. Leu to be trashy and anti-progressive. Her fur coat joke shows zero class.
Stardust
Fri, Oct 12, 07, at 5:03pm
Not knowing Ms. Leu previously, I find her interview style pathetic to say the least. If she really asked those last two questions, she deserved to be hung up on.
Having said that, I also think it is hypocritical of Phoenix to pretend he "doesn't believe in preparation" as anyone who knows the slightest bit about him, knows he prepared extensively for at least two of his movies, Ladder 49 and Walk The Line. Spending months with a fire department and learning to sing and play guitar is not preparation? Come on Phoenix.
Cathy S
Fri, Oct 12, 07, at 2:05pm
It's my belief that you, the reporter were as sarcastic as you can be with him, not only for not believing that he doesn't "prep" for roles, but that you slap him in the face w/ his beliefs. Why is that ok for you to do?
I also believe he needs an apology!!!
It was simply rude.
jacob
Fri, Oct 12, 07, at 2:03pm
I've been a journalist for more than a dozen years and I've never softballed a celeb. But there's a difference between that and being rude. "Am I right to expect the worst?" Way to make your subject feel at ease. And I suppose that last question was meant to be a sort of "F--- you" to Phoenix, but it was really beneath you -- I hope.
I'd have hung up, too. Phoenix is notorious, for being uncomfortable in the spotlight. He's also known as a congenial fellow who tries hard much of the time. That makes him challenging. I take issue not only with the way you approached that challenge to your skills, I also take issue with whoever assigned you to the task.
WAAK
Fri, Oct 12, 07, at 10:54am
Are you kidding me? YES, it was something YOU said. I have been bombarded all week with stories about how awful Joaquin is and how rude he was to laura leu during a phone interview. WELL, I'm glad we saw the transcript and now we know the truth! You are quite disrespectul and I feel sorry for anyone that has to work on a professional basis with you, as you are extremely unprofessional. SHAME ON YOU! You owe him an apology!!
Dr Rosenrosen
Fri, Oct 12, 07, at 9:30am
what's so pompous about Phoenix being candid and open with the interview? He came across as polite and honest. Terrible interview. I guess anyone can get a job writing for TONY.
Jindra
Fri, Oct 12, 07, at 7:15am
Ms. Leu, I think that Joaquin was too polite to you. I can´t understand who someone like you can do such a job. I would be ashamed to be paid for such rubbish.
RMart
Thu, Oct 11, 07, at 9:45pm
Ms. Leau- his brother died in his arms from a drug OD. wrap that up and suck on it you moron.
RMart
Thu, Oct 11, 07, at 9:08pm
why won't you post me?
RMart
Thu, Oct 11, 07, at 9:00pm
His brother died in his arms from a drug OD. is that not a good enough drug story for you Laura Leau? Yes it was something you said brightness.
phofleck
Thu, Oct 11, 07, at 8:00pm
She deserved to be hung up on. How disrespectful.
RICHIE
Thu, Oct 11, 07, at 7:52pm
Loosen up gang! This is a great bit of fun with a pompus celeb. This guy is a wonderful actor but at some point had a sense of humorectomy. Agree to an interview called hot seat and take offense to the questions? Great real. Thanks Ms. Leu, just great.
Toni
Thu, Oct 11, 07, at 7:21pm
Sorry, folks. Spoiled, pompous celebrities don't have the right to treat people who are doing their jobs like dirt. I wouldn't piss on J-Pho if he were on fire after this.
Native
Thu, Oct 11, 07, at 6:48pm
Are you KIDDING ME???? What is this reporter trying to do? MAKE A NAME FOR HERSELF??? I'm surprised there were no questions about River!
I mean FINALLY we get an interview without mention of River, yet it's a piece of GARBAGE!
"Ms. Leu" (a.k.a. Perez Hilton wannabe) just asked each question to specifically annoy him. YOU GOT WHAT YOU WANTED LADY!
I have ZERO respect for this reporter and ZERO respect for the forum it is presented in.
Oh, Joaquin was great. I laughed my fanny off about the "fake orgasm". HYSTERICAL!
Richard
Thu, Oct 11, 07, at 5:54pm
Shame on you Ms. Leu. You had the chance to speak to an interesting actor about an interesting movie and you wasted the chance by asking childish questions.
Christine
Thu, Oct 11, 07, at 5:19pm
Ms. Leu deserved to be hung up on. Who asks such an insensitive question about "good drug stories"
to someone whose brother died from a drug overdose?? And I doubt that last idiotic question was even asked.
Jerry Falwell
Thu, Oct 11, 07, at 3:49pm
Laura: You kind of goated an awkward interview out of him. Ever try a non-combative strategy of questioning? While celebrity worship is a cancer in our society, so is the impulse to drag people in the spotlight down. (see TMZ, WWTDD, InTouch, etc., etc., etc.)
