Joaquin Phoenix recently accepted an Oscar for ‘best actor’ in his outstanding role in Joker, however, his performance on stage during his speech is equally as rewardable.

Phoenix grew up in San Juan, Puerto Rico often moving around as a result of his parents’ involvement with the missionaries of the Children of God religious group, a controversial cult. At age four, his parents left the group due to questionable experiences. The family moved to L.A and worked towards building a new life in Hollywood. Phoenix and his siblings were used to throwing shows, however, on a smaller scale to the Hollywood productions, Phoenix is now known for. From his first film, “Spacecamp,” to his most recent film, “Joker,” Phoenix has developed into a successful actor despite his controversial and uncertain past.

After accepting his award, Phoenix delivered an encouraging speech addressing his inspirations and his purpose as a famous actor.

“The greatest gift that [the film business] has given me, and many of us in this room, is the opportunity to use our voice for the voiceless,” Phoenix said during his Oscars speech.

His speech has been one of the most widely viewed videos for the past couple of weeks as he addressed some of the distresses the entire world is facing.

“Whether we’re talking about gender inequality or racism or queer rights or indigenous rights or animal rights we’re talking about the fight against injustice. We’re talking about the fight against the belief that one nation, one people, one race, one gender, or one species has the right to dominate, control and use and exploit another with impunity,” Phoenix said during his Oscars speech.

During his speech, Phoenix waved off any applause and awkwardly composed his thoughts, gripping the bridge of his nose to address his audience in what can only be described as an uncomfortable way. Though many of Joaquin’s colleagues also view him as psychologically different as a result of his childhood, Phoenix’s honesty and flow with such a large audience, including the 23.6 million TV viewers, was majorly influential as a call-out to the injustices faced in society. His sincerity on stage, as well as the message he addressed, serves as a representation of the global figures attempting to speak on their beliefs.

“I think that we have become very disconnected from the natural world and many of us what we’re guilty of an egocentric world view. I’ve been selfish, I’ve been cruel at times, hard to work with, and ungrateful, but so many of you in this room have given me a second chance and I think that is when we’re at our best when we support each other,” he said during his Oscars speech.

Towards the end of his speech, Phoenix took an optimistic side drawing out the capabilities of human beings when they support each other.

“We fear the idea of personal change because we think that we have to sacrifice something to give something up, but human beings at our best are so inventive and creative and ingenious, and I think that when we use love and compassion as our guiding principles we can create, develop, and implement systems of change that are beneficial to all sentient beings and to the environment,” Phoenix said.

Nearing the end of his speech, Joaquin mentions his brother, River Phoenix who died at the age of 23 due to a drug overdose. River and Joaquin were extremely close making the closing to Phoenix’s speech all the more impactful and touching.

“When my brother was seventeen he wrote this lyric: run to the rescue with love and peace will follow,” Phoenix said.