If you walk into a room and one hundred people say, 'You are a lovely, beautiful person', who isn't going to be affected by that? But you have to tell yourself not to value that. You have to tell yourself - or at least I do - to not become accustomed to hearing applause in any way, because I think that's dangerous.

In order to provide food and financial support for the family the children performed on the streets and at various talent contests singing and playing instruments. In 2006 Phoenix was invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Joaquin's call to 911 to save his brother was recorded and repeatedly played over the airwaves and on television.

: /hwɑːˈkiːn ˈfiːnɪks/; born October 28 1974) formerly credited as Leaf Phoenix is an American actor as well as a self-proclaimed music video director producer musician and social activist. Aside from his acting career Phoenix has also ventured into directing music videos as well as producing movies and television shows. Phoenix started his career as a child actor and came to wide attention for his portrayal of Commodus in the 2000 historical epic film Gladiator directed by Ridley Scott which earned him a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor as well as nominations for the Golden Globe Award Screen Actors Guild Satellite Award and BAFTA Award.