Hollywood A-lister Joaquin Phoenix may rule the big screen, but don’t expect to catch him lounging poolside anytime soon. The Oscar-winning actor just revealed he’s not the vacation type—and we’re kinda shocked.
During a chat on the This Past Weekend podcast with comedian Theo Von, Joaquin opened up about his anti-vacation lifestyle, his jam-packed summer, and why being called a “character actor” once lit a fire under him.
So, what’s Joaquin been doing this summer? Spoiler alert: It’s not sipping margaritas on a beach.
“What did I do? When did the summer start? No nothing fun. I have this movie coming out… I started press in LA and London. Nothing super-exciting,” he said.
Instead of booking a relaxing getaway, the Hollywood actor has been knee-deep in promo for his upcoming film “Eddington”. Not that he’s complaining, but he does admit a little R&R wouldn’t hurt.
“We’re not like those kind of ‘go on vacation’ people,” Joaquin confessed. “Maybe that’s what’s missing? But no… I mean I have [been on vacation] before but it’s not a regular thing.”
Even when he daydreams about the ideal summer escape, it stays a fantasy.
“I see myself in slow motion jumping off a pier into a lake… But I haven’t done it yet.”
Now that’s a summer movie we’d watch!
Director’s Chair? Maybe Not…
When asked if he’d ever trade his spot in front of the camera for a director’s seat, Joaquin didn’t sugarcoat it.
“It’s probably the hardest job… I don’t like to delegate and I’m really indecisive. Particularly under pressure.”
Still, the “Joker” star does like the idea of collaborating with all departments, saying that part of directing sounds “nice and appealing”—but he’s not quite sold on the stress that comes with it.
That Time a Director Threw Shade…
In one of the more surprising moments, Joaquin recalled an early experience that nearly derailed his confidence.
A director once called him a “character actor”, which in Hollywood lingo apparently means “you’re not star material.”
“It’s kind of code for like: ‘You can’t really, like, you’re never going to really get there… but you’ll work’. And that f****** p***** me off.”
But instead of shrinking, Joaquin turned that insult into fuel.
“I ultimately appreciate it because it made me go like: ‘Well, how do I find that way? Like, how do I find more?’”
And find more he did—Oscars, blockbuster roles, and a cult following later, Joaquin Phoenix has proven he’s far more than just a “character actor.” He’s the whole story.
