Quotes from Joaquin Phoenix

I'm proud of my brother. I would never not want to be associated with him.

Well, I haven't signed anything giving people the right to do anything they want with my image, you know what I mean. I have the ultimate say.

I never prepare. I think that's completely overrated. It's a very simple job. All you have to do is hit this bright mark, stand in the right spot and say the line. So I don't really believe in preparation.

Going out on a stage publicly and not knowing how people are going to react to you - once I experienced that, it made me feel much more comfortable about going into a scene.

I guess I had what you could call an unconventional upbringing.

I always have the fear that, if I don't commit 100 percent to my work, then it's gonna suffer.

How can you work in film and still see the overt racism that exists in film and not just be furious all the time?

I've made up so many stores about my name, I can't remember.

I feel an obligation to set the record straight. Actors that say they're affected by something, that it changes their life, that they take it home with them, they're just trying to get nominated for an Oscar!

I don't really make movies because I want to see my face on a billboard or because I want to get good reviews or have a big box office. That doesn't really matter to me at all.

I began acting when River was doing this TV series and they needed two kids for the show, so they got me and my little sister, Summer, to do it. After that I did some really weird guest spots with orangutans and stuff.

I enjoy writing rhymes and sitting alone in a room listening to beats. It's pretty amazing.

I've worked with a lot of people on music and often times those things don't work out.

It's an amazing feeling to go into a studio and really be alone.

I don't think one should be comfortable standing on a stage with people applauding and laughing at every stupid thing you say.

I guess my experience with some stuff is kind of abstract.

The only reason why I would like to be accepted? Because if your movies don't do well, after a while you don't get to make any more movies.

When I decide to do something, I stick with it, total commitment.

I wouldn't feel satisfied being on set every day doing a romantic comedy - I'd be bored to death.

I don't know why I always get to play these guys who have few redeeming features. But don't knock it. Villains are much more fun.

When I look back I can't believe how my parents managed, but the cliche is true. We didn't have money, but we were rich in so many other ways.

I had a really wonderful upbringing. We were a tight family. It was wonderful to grow up with so many siblings. We were all just a year or two apart, and we were always so supportive of each other. I learned everything from my older brother and sister and taught it to my younger sisters.

I don't have the slightest desire to speak over my dead brother. It gets on my nerves to always be compared with him. My brother was a magnificent person and an outstanding actor.

For me, I'd rather have an intense experience than not.