Joaquin Phoenix Finally Wins The Best Actor Oscar

HOLLYWOOD, CA — Widely considered the best actor of his generation, Joaquin Phoenix had never won an Academy Award before Sunday night. He’s been nominated four times, but Sunday was finally his day as he won the Best Actor award at the 92nd Academy Awards. Phoenix won Best Actor for his performance as the tortured title character in “Joker.”

Phoenix's weight-dropping, cringe-inducing performance in "Joker" earned him every major award throughout the pre-Oscar award season. His performance in "Joker" has also won Phoenix Best Actor awards at the Golden Globes, the Critics’ Choice Awards, the SAG Awards, and the BAFTA Film Awards.

As he has throughout the award season, Phoenix used his speech to address injustice, tying together seemingly separate causes of fighting against sexism, racism, homophobia, and climate change while fighting for animal rights. Each issue is united as a fight for injustice, he said. He ended on a note of hope, citing himself as an example of making a change for the better.

"I have been a scoundrel in my life," Phoenix said. "I have been selfish. I have been cruel at times— hard to work with, and I am grateful that so many of you in this room have given me a second chance. And I think that’s when we’re at our best — when we support each other, not when we cancel each other out for past mistakes."

Phoenix and his late brother River Phoenix are the only pair of brothers ever nominated for acting Academy Awards.

Joaquin Phoenix ended his speech tearfully, with a quote from his late brother.

"He said run to the rescue with love, and peace will follow."

Joaquin Phoenix was previously nominated for his leading roles in "Walk the Line" and "The Master," and once in the supporting-actor category for "Gladiator," but each time, Hollywood’s most prestigious award eluded him.

Leading up to the Oscars, Phoenix has given a series of political or pointed speeches tackling everything from climate change to veganism.

“Contrary to popular belief, I don’t want to rock the boat," he said at the Golden Globes. "But the boat is [expletive] rocked.”

City News Service contributed to this report.