Who played Johnny Cash in the 2005 biopic 'Walk the Line'?

Joaquin Phoenix played Johnny Cash in the 2005 biopic “Walk the Line.” The film follows Cash from his childhood and early military years through his rise at Sun Records, struggles with addiction, and relationship with June Carter.

Directed by James Mangold, “Walk the Line” was based partly on Cash’s autobiographies Man in Black and Cash: The Autobiography. Reese Witherspoon played June Carter, while Robert Patrick portrayed Cash’s father, Ray. Phoenix did more than act: he performed Cash’s songs himself for the film and its soundtrack, helping give the musical performances a live, convincing quality.

Phoenix’s portrayal earned him a Golden Globe for Best Actor and an Academy Award nomination. Witherspoon won the Oscar for Best Actress for playing June Carter. The soundtrack was also successful and won a Grammy for Best Compilation Soundtrack Album. The movie takes dramatic liberties with chronology and events, so it should be treated as a biographical drama rather than a documentary. A frequent mix-up is confusing Phoenix’s role with Witherspoon’s: she played June Carter, not Johnny Cash.