Nov 3 2008Joaquin Phoenix's 'retirement' explained: Surprise, it's drugs
Joaquin Phoenix announced last week he's retiring from acting to pursue a career in music. Sometime between that announcement and Saturday's premiere of Che, where Joaquin arrived with the letters "Bye!" and "Good" written on his knuckles (above), the actor showed up to a reading blitzed as hell, according to Page Six:
The two-time Oscar nominee ("Walk the Line" and "Gladiator") showed up to a tribute to Paul Newman last week in San Francisco and "was out of it," said one attendee. Other actors were performing scenes and readings, but Phoenix just got up and walked out. "He wobbled back in a bit later, but it was odd," said our source. "He was slurring his words and was unsteady on his feet."
Joaquin's rep says "He's fine. He just wants to focus on music." Which is Hollywood talk for "He's buck naked riding my kids' Power Wheels down to the 7-11 for smokes because apparently he's Robert Downey Jr. now."

Reader Comments
1. mimi - November 3, 2008 11:07 AM
DON'T BE FIRST!
2. FRIST!!! - November 3, 2008 11:10 AM
Gee...the same thing just happened to someone I know..
3. hudy - November 3, 2008 11:17 AM
I've seen his profile on the fitness & celebrity dating club ^^^^^^FitnessKiss. C O M^^ ^^^^ for hot singles to hook up for Hot Love and Sexy Dating.
4. hudy - November 3, 2008 11:19 AM
I've seen his profile on the fitness & celebrity dating club ^^^^^^FitnessKiss. C O M^^ ^^^^ for hot singles to hook up for Hot Love and Sexy Dating.
5. Sasha - November 3, 2008 11:21 AM
Is that his gf? Wow, she actually appears to be at a healthy weight. He usually dates 6'0, size 0 Holocaust-victim-looking ladies.
6. Heriony - November 3, 2008 11:21 AM
#3 & #4: Fuck off.
7. FRIST!!! - November 3, 2008 11:23 AM
Hey "Hudy" the J key is right next to the H..
8. Jimbo - November 3, 2008 11:23 AM
WTF Fish dude!!! There must be tons go great pic form the Halloween weekend and all we get this morning is these two assholes? get off your ass and get us the good stuff!!
9. pete - November 3, 2008 11:23 AM
"she actually appears to be at a healthy weight"
Is that with or without the penis "she" is packing?
10. Sasha - November 3, 2008 11:25 AM
Oh yeah, and he is definitely on drugs. You can always tell the druggies in Hollywood by those Ray-Ban's they wear that are unflattering to every single face shape. You have to be high to think they look good.
11. Sid - November 3, 2008 11:41 AM
He seemed so normal before.
12. rustingrabbit - November 3, 2008 11:43 AM
Woah he got fat...I was wondering where he went. And now he's going to be gone again.
13. JM - November 3, 2008 11:45 AM
Yeah, it's the Ray-Bans that give him away. It certainly isn't the whole writing phrases backwards on his fingers thing. Nor could it be the "I haven't showered in 3 weeks" look he's sporting. Sad to say, but he's really starting to look like Heath Ledger. I would hate to see the world lose another tremendous talent to this crap.
14. veggi - November 3, 2008 11:51 AM
"he's really starting to look like Heath Ledger"
I disagree. There's no visible sign that Joaquin takes it in the ass.
15. Rough Daddy - November 3, 2008 11:53 AM
Hey jimbo? you took that jack ass costume off buddy?
16. TOOL - November 3, 2008 11:55 AM
Bye good
17. leftysmoke - November 3, 2008 11:55 AM
This guy is the epitome of the Hollywood druggie cliché. His look, his attitude, his antics, everything. Way to Joaquin, you are just too cool for school man. Congrats!
18. leftysmoke - November 3, 2008 11:57 AM
By the way, the girl he is pictured with isn't his gf. It's his co-star in his "last" movie lol.
19. Moksha - November 3, 2008 11:59 AM
Drugs are a personal experience that some hard-headed people need in order to learn some very important life lessons, ie: Humility. The fact of one's own mortality. REALLY learning about other humans. And finally after degradation and loss and sickness and sorrow, to choose LIFE and go on with what you've learned. So, do what you will Joaquin, we'll see who you are and so will you.
20. Sport - November 3, 2008 12:02 PM
What a fuckup. The dude keeps getting chances and great roles (and nails them) yet cant keep his personal life together?
You fucking idiot - how tough is it to be a millionaire living on the beach in SoCal?
Read a book, take up golf, travle or something asshole.
21. not.me - November 3, 2008 12:11 PM
CARES? WHO
22. FRIST!!! - November 3, 2008 12:14 PM
Maybe he just misses his brother..
OR maybe he's been POSSESSED by River!!!!!
23. BethieD - November 3, 2008 12:19 PM
@ 20
Actors sort of have to be emotionally imbalanced in order to do what they do - especially to do it well. To drudge up emotions the way Joaquin can, there has to be some kind of "artistic" temperament, moodiness, emo-ness . . . I'd imagine it has to be hard to know who you are when intense roles put you through the gamut of gut-wrenching emotion.
Not justifying it, actors are lame, self-indulgent, whiny people. Look at Duchovny.
24. BethieD - November 3, 2008 12:19 PM
@ 20
Actors sort of have to be emotionally imbalanced in order to do what they do - especially to do it well. To drudge up emotions the way Joaquin can, there has to be some kind of "artistic" temperament, moodiness, emo-ness . . . I'd imagine it has to be hard to know who you are when intense roles put you through the gamut of gut-wrenching emotion.
Not justifying it, actors are lame, self-indulgent, whiny people. Look at Duchovny.
25. BethieD - November 3, 2008 12:21 PM
Fuck, Fish, the server just froze.
26. ¡pooƃ ǝʎq - November 3, 2008 12:23 PM
¡ʍoןq ɟo ƃɐq ƃuıʞןɐʇ ƃuıʞןɐʍ pıdnʇs noʎ ʇxǝu ǝɹ,noʎ puɐ ɥʇɐǝp oʇ ɟןǝsɯıɥ pǝɹǝʌooɥ ɹǝʌıɹ ¡uınbɐoɾ pooƃ ǝʎq
27. havoc - November 3, 2008 12:30 PM
Must run in the family....
.
28. Mugato - November 3, 2008 12:35 PM
I guess his brother dying in fron of the Viper Room wasn't enough for Joaquin to be turned off drugs.
29. Dr. Phil - November 3, 2008 12:38 PM
Actually actors simply lack a strong sense of identity. They lose themselves in whatever role they're doing, at least if they're any good. Some "movie stars" aren't like that, for example De Niro, but most actors benefit from not having a strong real-life identity. So in most cases, the painful part is between roles, when they don't know what to do or say or think. It's just a bunch of melodramatic bs to say that acting roles are emotionally exhausting. If you've ever been on a movie set, you know that acting is excruciatingly boring most of the time, as you wait and wait and wait and wait to do your particular thing during the day's shooting. Actors get hooked on drugs due to boredom and aimlessness between acting jobs. If they're struggling on the set, it's because they couldn't quit and detox in time for the filming of their next movie.
30. Max Planck - November 3, 2008 12:45 PM
Awww...and we sure are gonna miss you.
31. dew - November 3, 2008 1:16 PM
It's really tragic that two talented actors from the same family were so messed up being raised in a **creepy cult that allegedly promoted pedo-incest pervertedness**.
I couldn't imagine having such horrid childhood memories; it's easy to see why they chose acting, to be someone else for extended periods of time. I guess when he's in between movies, he's stuck being himself, and has to resort to self-medication to escape those unfortunate memories, like his brother did.
32. Stanky - November 3, 2008 1:24 PM
Typical stoned out Obama supporter.
33. Suzzee - November 3, 2008 1:29 PM
Morning Good everyone!
I am surprised anyone got a clear pic of 'bye good'. I would have been lauging so hard I would have dropped my camera. So ya 'bye good'
34. LSDiesel - November 3, 2008 1:32 PM
@10 fuck you straight-edge
35. River In Hades - November 3, 2008 1:32 PM
I always thought he was an okay actor for a functional retard. But I never understood why they would try to put a retarded person in any other role but playing a retard.
He did an okay job when he portrayed that retarded Emporer guy back in the Roman times, although I was suprized Rome would let itself be run by a retard.
Then he did an okay job when he played that retarded singer from the 50's and 60's who dressed in black and married that hick.
But how many roles are out there that call for retarded people to play them? Not many, unless they're gonna make "The Other Sister 2", he could be in that....
36. Bickus Dickus - November 3, 2008 1:35 PM
It looks like Heath Ledger all bloated and shit....maybe this doofus can join him.
37. Blah - November 3, 2008 1:38 PM
That really sucks. He's a great actor and one of my favorites. I hope he gets the help he needs before its too late. Damn drugs. Yeah, I know he needs to have his own will to get better too, but drugs are the fricken devil and hard to resist once you're hooked. He's really looking bad here, he does look like Ledger in his last days; all worn out looking & all sex appeal gone. He looks like a 65 year old man. sigh.
38. Molly - November 3, 2008 2:15 PM
YOU'LL NEVER BE RIVER, JOAQUIN. STOP TRYING.
39. the man in black - November 3, 2008 2:27 PM
and you ain't no goddamn Johnny Cash either.....
40. chelle - November 3, 2008 3:06 PM
OMG, it's too funny that he has the "good" and the "bye" backwards on his knuckles...hahahahahahahahahahaaaa.....
That must make him almost as smart as Jamie Lynn Spears and Hannah Montana's boyfriend.
41. STFU Phoenix - November 3, 2008 3:24 PM
People say this is about River. Please. They are vegans, vegans don't really care about each other. They're pod people.
This all started because he played Johnny Cash in a film. Look at his performances before that, like in Gladiator or Quills -- he used to speak in a snivelly, high-pitched voice and quiver a lot, that was his acting style. It was really contrived. Then when he did Walk the Line his new shtick became "haunted by River." It sold tickets for a while. Now that is getting old and he's getting pissy that no one's seeing his films so he's decided "Heck, maybe I'll really self-destruct." But it's still lame.
STFU Phoenix. Don't rise from the ashes.
42. Chauncey Gardner - November 3, 2008 4:46 PM
#40,
Yeah, that's pretty fucking funny. They would have come out correctly if he was left-handed.
43. NY Ted - November 3, 2008 5:17 PM
Hey...leave Joaqy alone...if a heroin over-dose was good enough for his brother River...then by damn...it is good enough for Joaqy!
44. Chauncey Gardner - November 3, 2008 5:57 PM
You know, there is probably a much closer likeness now that River's corpse has had lots of time to ripen - but, when you look at live pictures of the Phoenix boys next to one another, there is absolutely no resemblance. None at all. Are they brothers-from-different-mothers? Was one adopted? How else can you explain the dead one's prettiness and the live one's hare-lipped butt-ugliness?
45. Amy - November 3, 2008 6:11 PM
Who???
Who the fuck is that ugly, crusty old bastard???
46. max - November 3, 2008 6:46 PM
Yea, who is the lame, dumb, illiterate, fuckstain? Another Hollywood douchebag I presume.
47. Jenna - November 3, 2008 6:53 PM
He's a gay porn star; takes it in the ass on film for money.
48. Deb - November 3, 2008 6:56 PM
He wouldn't get caught dead with a woman. And likewise; what self respecting woman would be seen with that filthy retard?
49. tish - November 3, 2008 7:03 PM
Looks like a homeless bum.
50. mimi - November 3, 2008 7:07 PM
Probably smells foul.
Pray for Joaquin! He needs it!
51. mafme - November 3, 2008 7:08 PM
Aww... #32 is trying soo hard! Special Olympics hug for you!
52. Cletus - November 3, 2008 7:14 PM
Let's pray that Barack Hussein does not get elected.
If he does we can say goodbye to gun ownership rights & personal liberties.
The only people who stand to gain are those on welfare and other public assistance. With an Obama administration people give up more in taxes in order to provide raises for the welfare recipients.
Oh well...Next weekends gunshow will be crowded. I'll be spending 2 or 3 thousand to beef up my arsenal. Go ahead, make my day!
53. Cletus - November 3, 2008 7:23 PM
I'm not voting -for- McSame/Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld/Palin morons.
I'm voting against the supporter of terrorists and hater of America...Hussein.
54. Joaquin's Accountant - November 3, 2008 7:24 PM
As CPA to Joaquin, seeing he is an Obama supporter, I have advised Joaquin not make more than $250,000.
His music career should insure his next 4 year earnings are well below even $250.
.... yeah.... low taxes after all.....
55. Amy - November 3, 2008 7:25 PM
Pray for mimi.
56. Sal - November 3, 2008 7:27 PM
If Joaquin makes ANY income, it's more than he's worth. What a crusty, filthy bum.
57. meh - November 3, 2008 7:28 PM
Who's the hot redhead in pic 3? I'd plow that til next winter.
58. stunner - November 3, 2008 7:32 PM
Bye! Good ???
Maybe he meant "by god!".
Either way, he's illiterate AND nasty.
59. Tom - November 3, 2008 7:34 PM
Has he ever been seen with a woman? I mean a woman that wasn't paid to be seen with him.
60. chango - November 3, 2008 7:37 PM
so what's he going to do when the cholas won't have him. I mean, he does have a beard and all. usually only the romanian women are hairy like that. and they like music too.
61. dock - November 3, 2008 7:37 PM
He needs to be de-loused and dipped for fleas.
62. Kimberly - November 3, 2008 10:31 PM
Probably should've written the "good bye" on his knuckles in front of a mirror...
63. gerard Vandenberg - November 4, 2008 12:00 AM
If you are planning a suicide these day's and there is DOUBT?
Just give this MORON a close look and.................................................
SUCCEED!!
64. Coco - November 4, 2008 12:23 AM
Just had to say the title to this post cracked me up...
65. Crakhead - November 4, 2008 1:28 AM
I remember one time when I wanted to write "FUCK YOU!" on my knuckles, but I was high on drugs
and wrote "YOU! FUCK". How embarassing.
66. Upskt Celebs - November 4, 2008 2:15 AM
Maybe homeboy wasn't acting when he took on the role of Johnny Cash.
67. hehehehhehehehehehhehehe - November 4, 2008 2:53 AM
i would do him and river
68. Ri - November 4, 2008 5:16 AM
Crakhead, you're hilarious!
69. joaquin's scrotum - November 4, 2008 6:48 AM
Jeese. There goes his fuckability factor. Way to go Joaquin. Now you'll wind up like River.
Shame. He was hot too.
70. fancy - November 4, 2008 2:23 PM
maybe he was planning on crossing his arms before showing the fist message - yknow power rangers style - these little details are hard to keep track of when busy remembering to take more drugs, ... what was that i was gonna do?? oh yeah more crack... what else??.....hmm crack? oh yeah!! better quit the day job sooo much to do...like... oh yeah more crack!!
i kinda like the tarzan in a suit look, the furry neck juxtaposed with the sleek expensive shirt collar always turns me on - in that lotto winning homeless man way
ooo do me in your double wide dumpster that's hot!
71. Katrina - February 13, 2009 12:25 PM
Man, people love passing judgment when they have no idea what another person is going through or what they can or cannot handle. What an incredible actor! It's sad that he feels it's necessary to dope himself up in order to face the day. Indeed, it probably is selfish and whiny to act that way but if he was aware of that fact, he most likely wouldn't be doing it. I'm sad that he doesn't have anyone who cares for him enough to get him help. I'll feel awful if he falls in River's fate. All the judgemental people should too. And his political stance? What the hell does that have to do with his problem? That's like saying that all Republican supporters are sister/sheep humping, backwoods, KKK, redneck, Elementary school dropout, paranoid, conspiracy theorist, radicals. Not true right? Get a life.
72. Katrina - February 13, 2009 12:26 PM
Man, people love passing judgment when they have no idea what another person is going through or what they can or cannot handle. What an incredible actor! It's sad that he feels it's necessary to dope himself up in order to face the day. Indeed, it probably is selfish and whiny to act that way but if he was aware of that fact, he most likely wouldn't be doing it. I'm sad that he doesn't have anyone who cares for him enough to get him help. I'll feel awful if he falls in River's fate. All the judgemental people should too. And his political stance? What the hell does that have to do with his problem? That's like saying that all Republican supporters are sister/sheep humping, backwoods, KKK, redneck, Elementary school dropout, paranoid, conspiracy theorist, radicals. Not true right? Get a life.
73. Katrina - February 13, 2009 12:26 PM
Man, people love passing judgment when they have no idea what another person is going through or what they can or cannot handle. What an incredible actor! It's sad that he feels it's necessary to dope himself up in order to face the day. Indeed, it probably is selfish and whiny to act that way but if he was aware of that fact, he most likely wouldn't be doing it. I'm sad that he doesn't have anyone who cares for him enough to get him help. I'll feel awful if he falls in River's fate. All the judgemental people should too. And his political stance? What the hell does that have to do with his problem? That's like saying that all Republican supporters are sister/sheep humping, backwoods, KKK, redneck, Elementary school dropout, paranoid, conspiracy theorist, radicals. Not true right? Get a life.
74. Katrina - February 13, 2009 12:28 PM
Man, people love passing judgment when they have no idea what another person is going through or what they can or cannot handle. What an incredible actor! It's sad that he feels it's necessary to dope himself up in order to face the day. Indeed, it probably is selfish and whiny to act that way but if he was aware of that fact, he most likely wouldn't be doing it. I'm sad that he doesn't have anyone who cares for him enough to get him help. I'll feel awful if he falls in River's fate. All the judgemental people should too. And his political stance? What the hell does that have to do with his problem? That's like saying that all Republican supporters are sister/sheep humping, backwoods, KKK, redneck, Elementary school dropout, paranoid, conspiracy theorist, radicals. Not true right? Get a life.
75. Bruce - February 13, 2009 10:47 PM
this guy is having a psychotic breakdown or possibly an onset of schitzophrenia..he needs help and does not need people laughing at him or mocking him on late night tv..mental illness is sooo misunderstood
76. L - March 12, 2009 12:42 AM
He's a Scorpio.
Enough said.
77. L - March 12, 2009 12:43 AM
He's a Scorpio.
Enough said.