The 34-year-old “Walk the Line” star opened up about his contentious choice on Wednesday, just a couple of days before “Two Lovers,” the film he says it’s his last, hits theaters.  

 

Joaquin Phoenix said that his decision was a “personal thing” and that it was not a “judgment on other people or on the industry.” In addition, he explained that acting left nothing new for him to unearth and that in spite of the fact that he might seem bigheaded, “I achieved my idea of success.” The actor added that he would not change his mind and that he had come to this conclusion after doing a lot of thinking.

 

Joaquin Phoenix admitted that he had never acted “just to make money or to be famous.”

The “Two Lovers” star, whose late brother River Phoenix was also an actor, first won acclaim for his role in Gus Van Sant’s “To Die For,” and received his first Oscar nomination for his part in “Gladiator.” The second Academy Award nomination came for his portrayal of singer Johnny Cash in “Walk the Line.”

 

Joaquin Phoenix is currently working on an album that is “mostly self-produced,” with some help from famous rapper Diddy.

 

Other hip-hop acts the actor enjoys include Public Enemy, Ice Cube, Notorious B.I.G. and N.W.A.