From sex cult kid to King of Hollywood

The award-winning actor’s life has been no Joke...

Joaquin Phoenix has won almost every gong in Hollywood for his performance as Gotham’s deranged clown prince – but the Joker star has had a life almost as bizarre as his pathetic alter ego Arthur Fleck.

It was unusual from the start. Joaquin Rafael Bottom was born in Puerto Rico on October 28, 1974, the third of five children. He had a microform cleft, the scar still visible on his upper lip (he calls it “an act of God”). But it was the circumstances of his childhood that were most outlandish – young Joaquin’s penniless family led a nomadic life as members of the Children of God cult. The controversial group has since been flooded by allegations from past members of manipulation and sexual abuse involving female followers and even kids.