Joker star Joaquin Phoenix named himself Leaf and went with it for years before reclaiming his real name - Did you know?

While we’re busy tracking films and shows, one of the most talked-about actors right now is Joaquin Phoenix, who will soon appear on the big screen in Joker: Folie à Deux (aka Joker 2). Phoenix reprises his role as Arthur Fleck in this Gotham saga, with Lady Gaga joining him as Harley Quinn. But that’s not the only reason Phoenix is making headlines. In India, he will also reconnect with his fans as Her is set to re-release on Lionsgate Play in October. So, it’s truly a Joaquin Phoenix month for the country. While we’re obsessing over his upcoming releases, let’s dive into an intriguing piece of trivia about the star: Did you know Joaquin Phoenix disowned his birth name and went by "Leaf" for years before reclaiming his original name? 

Joaquin Phoenix Was Leaf Phoenix Before?

Yes, you read that right! Joaquin Phoenix's life is filled with enough dramatic twists to inspire a fascinating film in itself. The actor was born into the Children of God cult, which his parents left when he was three after realizing the harmful practices within it. What’s lesser known is that he adopted the name Leaf in an effort to blend in with his siblings. Joaquin, the third of four children, was the only one not named after an element of nature, which didn’t sit well with him. Read on to learn more.

According to various reports, Joaquin Phoenix was born Joaquin Bottom, and his siblings were named River, Liberty, and Summer. To fit in, Joaquin decided to change his name to Leaf, and he used this name for years. In fact, many of his early performances credit him as Leaf Phoenix. Over time, though, he came to a realization that led him to reclaim his birth name, and the world now knows him as Joaquin Phoenix.

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How Did the Bottom's Become the Phoenix?

There’s an interesting story behind the family's name change. Joaquin Phoenix, who was born into the controversial Children of God cult, was removed from it by his parents when he was three. They left after realizing that certain practices within the cult were putting their daughter at risk. This led to the family abandoning the cult, but they found themselves in dire straits. Phoenix once told Time magazine, "We were straight-up dirt poor; we had nothing."

The family’s fortunes began to turn around when they moved to Florida in the U.S. After surviving in a rat-infested slum in Venezuela and enduring numerous hardships, they decided to leave behind the surname Bottom and adopt Phoenix as their new last name, symbolizing their rise from adversity.

Joker: Folie à Deux releases in Indian theaters on October 2. Her will be available on Lionsgate Play in October as well, and you can watch it with your OTTplay Premium subscription. Stay tuned to OTTplay for more updates on this and everything else from the world of streaming and films.

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