Joaquin Phoenix and fiancée Rooney Mara have welcomed their first child together.
Per US Weekly, the news was confirmed by Russian filmmaker Victor Kossakovsky during a Q&A at the 2020 Zurich Film Festival on Sunday (September 27).
[[imagecaption|| Credit: PA Images]]
The happy news was announced - somewhat unexpectedly - following a screening of Kossakovsky's new documentary Gunda, which Phoenix executive produced.
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After answering a question about the Joker star working on his new movie, Kossakovsky announced to the crowd: "He just got baby, by the way - a beautiful son called River."
Many of you may remember that Joaquin's older brother, River Phoenix, sadly passed away following a drug overdose outside the Viper Room club in Hollywood back in 1993.
River was just 23 years old.
[[imagecaption|| River Phoenix as Danny Pope/Michael Manfield in Running On Empty. Credit: PA Images]]
River was a much sought-after star following his role in the 1986 coming-of-age movie Stand By Me, and at the time of his death, he was filming Dark Blood.
Dark Blood would later be released incomplete in 2012 - 19 years after River's passing.
Earlier this year, Joaquin appeared on a special episode of 60 Minutes with US journalist Anderson Cooper, in which he spoke candidly about his brother's passing. The Academy Award winner said:
"I feel like in virtually every movie that I made, there was a connection to River in some way. And I think that we’ve all felt his presence and guidance in our lives in numerous ways."
The Walk The Line star revealed that at the time of his brother's death, the family were unaware of just how big of a star River had become, as they did not watch television or read magazines.
He continued: "River was a really substantial actor and movie star, and we didn't really know it.
"So during that time in which you're most vulnerable, there are helicopters flying over. There are people that are trying to sneak onto your land.
"Certainly, for me, it felt like it impeded on the mourning process, right?"
During his Best Actor Academy Award speech for Joker earlier this year, Joaquin recited the following lyrics written by his late brother:
"I’ve been a scoundrel in my life. I’ve been selfish, I’ve been cruel at times, hard to work with.
"I’m grateful, 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, but when we help each other to grow, when we educate each other, when we guide each other toward redemption.
"That is the best of humanity."
Both Joaquin and Mara are yet to personally confirm the news of their new arrival.