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Celebrity

02nd Dec 2019

Joaquin Phoenix named PETA Person of the Year for 2019

Dave Hanratty

Joker loves animals, pass it on.

We’re still no closer to official confirmation of a Joker sequel – those initial reports were quickly debunked, in case you missed it – but here’s one thing we do know:

Joaquin Phoenix loves animals so much they’ve only gone and given him an award for it.

Yep, the actor has just been named PETA’s – People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals – Person of the Year for 2019, following in the footsteps of the likes of Oprah Winfrey, Alicia Silverstone and Pope Francis before him.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Phoenix – who has been a vegan since he was three years old – has been honoured for his continued commitment to supporting animal rights causes through donations, public demonstrations and even executive producing The Animal People, a documentary focusing on animal rights activists.

“Joaquin Phoenix never misses an opportunity to turn the spotlight away from himself and onto animals’ plight and to set a great example of walking the vegan walk,” said PETA president Ingrid Newkirk on Monday.

A sound man.

Will he add Oscar gold to this accolade in February? We’ll say… maybe.