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Phoenix 'Breakdown' More Like a Put-On

Phoenix' rap career might just be a show

By Evann Gastaldo, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 28, 2009 10:06 AM CST

(Newser) – Joaquin Phoenix's transformation from Oscar-nominated actor to bumbling rapper may be a prank meant to satirize media coverage of pompous actors, Entertainment Weekly reports. “He said, ‘It's a put-on. I'm going to pretend to have a meltdown and change careers, and Casey [Affleck] is going to film it,’” a source close to the actor said.

“It's an art project for him. He's going full out,” said another source. “He probably has told his reps that he's quit acting. Joaquin is very smart. This is very conscious. He has a huge degree of control.”

[Images (3)]

[Videos (3)]

Joaquin Phoenix, left, and Casey Affleck, right, arrive for a staged reading of "The World of Nick Adams" at the Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco, Monday, Oct. 27, 2008. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

Actor Joaquin Phoenix arrives at the premiere of "Che" during AFI Fest 2008 on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2008. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)

Joaquin Phoenix of 'Two Lovers' arrives at the 2008 AFI Fest held at The Grauman's Chinese Theatre on November 1, 2008 in Hollywood, California. (Getty Images)

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Joaquin Phoenix falls off the stage at the end of his rap performance. (thegigape)

Joaquin Phoenix starts his rap career. (chipkibble)

Joaquin Phoenix says he's retiring from the acting business as he walks the red carpet in Hollywood for a screening of his film 'Two Lovers.' (Nov. 3) (AssociatedPress)

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 6 comments

drlarrymitchell

Jan 30, 2009 4:18 AM CST

If he is really a pompous actor, is that like a Victor/Victoria thing, where a good actor plays a bad actor playing a bad rapper?

Guest

Jan 29, 2009 4:27 AM CST

Don't care. If he does a good acting job great. If he doesn't, oh well. There're plenty of up-and-coming competitors.

MarkFL

Jan 28, 2009 10:30 PM CST

I hope this is true. I was feeling bad for the guy. Using the media as a stage is an interesting concept. We'll see how it works. If it does, a lot of actors should use the same excuse for the stupid things they do off camera. "Yes, my last ten years on the D-list, all the coke and hookers, and the reports that I am a transvestite are all subtle ploys to satirize the media itself. I just felt like proving that the media has some subtle flaws for a really long time."

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Phoenix 'Breakdown' More Like a Put-On