Phoenix confirms news that he’s quitting movies

November 3, 2008 at 12:00a.m.

LOS ANGELES — The writing on Joaquin Phoenix’s fists said it all.

The words “Good Bye” were penned on the actor’s knuckles at a premiere Saturday night for his latest film, “Two Lovers,” and Phoenix confirmed a surprise announcement he made last week: He’s giving up movies.

“I think it’s just moving on. It’s rediscovering something else,” said Phoenix, 34, said in an interview with Associated Press Television News before Saturday’s American Film Institute festival, which also premiered “Che,” starring Benicio Del Toro.

“Two Lovers” is his last film, he said. His publicist had disclosed Friday that the actor intended to focus on music.

Phoenix first mentioned his decision to “Extra” early last week at a fundraiser in San Francisco. He abruptly ended that interview after the reporter wondered whether he was joking about giving up acting for music.

Phoenix learned to play guitar and did his own singing to play country legend Johnny Cash in “Walk the Line,” which earned him an Academy Award nomination. His publicist also said Phoenix has been directing music videos in recent years.

“It’s like greener pastures, you know what I mean?” Phoenix said Saturday. “And so, I’m just going to try and like, I’ll just be doing the other thing. ... Hopefully, I will emotionally impact you with that, as well.”

“Two Lovers” stars Phoenix as a heartbroken man torn between a needy, neurotic neighbor (Gwyneth Paltrow) and the sensible woman (Vinessa Shaw) his parents want him to marry.

Today’s birthdays

Composer John Barry is 75. Actor-dancer Ken Berry (“Mayberry R.F.D.”; “Mama’s Family”) is 75. Actor-radio personality Shadoe Stevens is 62. Singer Lulu is 60. Actress-comedian Roseanne Barr is 56. Actress Kathy Kinney (“The Drew Carey Show”) is 55. Actress Kate Capshaw is 55. Comedian Dennis Miller is 55. Singer Adam Ant is 54. Actor Dolph Lundgren (“Rocky IV”) is 51.