Joaquin Phoenix Quotes

You see so many earnest characters in movies all the time, everyone has a purpose.

The less someone knows about me, the better, because my intention is to play a variety of characters.

I loved hip-hop. The first stuff I heard was Public Enemy, and I couldn't believe it. It was amazing, and I've always loved hip-hop.

I've never made $20 million. I'm scared. I don't know if you gave me The Ring if I could carry it and bring it to Ozamorph, or whatever you call it.

Every movie soaks into you for a certain amount of time.

I've made up so many stores about my name, I can't remember.

We are all animals of this planet. We are all creatures. And nonhuman animals experience pain sensations just like we do. They too are strong, intelligent, industrious, mobile, and evolutional. They too are capable of growth and adaptation. Like us, firsthand foremost, they are earthlings. And like us, they are surviving. Like us they also seek their own comfort rather than discomfort. And like us they express degrees of emotion. In short like us, they are alive.

I'm like the kid that crams for tests and never remembers anything.

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 proud of my brother. I would never not want to be associated with him.

In most films - especially in regards to the protagonist - really from the get-go they set up some scenario that endears that character to the audience. Or imbues him with some nobility or heroism or something.

I'm very thankful for the people that I've had the opportunity to work with. I have a good life. It's been amazing. I'm not complaining. It's not like acting has ruined me so I have to leave. It's not that. I'm just done with it.

I like working all the time. I hate taking breaks. I don't like the weekends.

As a nation, this is the moment to start seriously investing our time, energy and resources into proven methods of reducing violence, both within our nation as well as internationally. The cost of violence to our culture and our children is simply not sustainable.

I guess my experience with some stuff is kind of abstract.

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.

I wish I had fair justification for not being as informed as I should be, but I don't.

It's an amazing feeling to go into a studio and really be alone.

I'm going to sound a little weird here, but I like to spend a lot of time on my own in the woods. I don't exactly sneak off in the middle of the night, but I like to be in a place where no one can reach me by phone or e-mail.

I'd see child actors and I'd get so jealous, because they're just completely wide open.

It takes nothing away from a human to be kind to an animal.

Whether you think a film will affect society or it's plain entertainment, it's all excellent, it's all noble.

There are kids who get on BMX bike when they are eight years old and they go,'Whoa, this is incredible,' and grow up to do extreme sports. It is the same for me with acting.

I love having a master. I have no problem serving my director. That's my job. I want to make them happy.

Is it that your dream is unattainable or is it that you have the wrong dream?

Every single movie that I've ever done has affected my life; I always feel more changed by a character than I affect them or change them, always. I mean, that's just kind of the way it is.

Acting is real important to me. I love it, and it's something I care about.

Animal rights is a part of my everyday life. When you live by example, you create a certain level of awareness. Friends of mine - people I have never discussed animal rights or vegetarianism with - are adopting vegetarian habits because they see it.

In every film, whether it's a fictional character or not, you create an idea of the character and for me I always do a bad impersonation to start with.

When I go out with the ladies, I don't force them to pronounce my name. I tell them I like to go by the nickname of Kitten.

I know if I'm lost in the moment or not.

I've worked with a lot of people on music and often times those things don't work out.

There is no need for fur - since there are compassionate alternatives.

I wouldn't feel satisfied being on set every day doing a romantic comedy - I'd be bored to death.

I still think that movies are amazing; I respect actors and directors.

I don't bring my life into a character at all.

I have this horrible sense of humor where I think discomfort is funny - partly because I experience discomfort a lot, and it's a way of laughing at it and getting a release.