Joaquin Phoenix versus Andy Kaufman

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Joaquin Phoenix

( Matt Sayles / Associated Press / October 23, 2012 )

By Todd Martens and Patrick Kevin Day

When Joaquin Phoenix announced he was giving up his successful acting career to pursue a career in hip-hop, people raised their eyebrows. When Phoenix then made a mumbling, zoned-out appearance on "Late Show With David Letterman," people began drawing comparisons with long-deceased comedian Andy Kaufman.

He's back now, with "The Master," but his career highs and lows have made his life a work of living theater. Whether Phoenix knew what he was doing remains unclear, but here is a look back at his career that may warrant a comparison to Kaufman -- an actor whose time in the spotlight was marked by similar gray areas.

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