Joaquin Phoenix’s special brand of crazy really is an act, according to his friends. We’ve obviously heard that before, but they’ve told Fox News’ Pop Tarts that Joaquin is so into his acting crazy shtick that he actually wanted to be mocked at the Academy Awards – and he even knew about the parodies. They also claim Ben Stiller was going along with Joaquin’s joke and not actually making fun of him – at least not in a mean-spirited way.

In 2005, Joaquin Phoenix was an awards season favorite following his portrayal of Johnny Cash in Walk the Line, but fast-forward four years and he’s the newest object of unshaven mockery.

While presenting alongside Natalie Portman, Ben Stiller (donning an over-sized scruffy wig and fake beard) chomped loudly on his gum, prompting Portman (who was also in on the act) to chastise him. Stiller then pulled a Phoenix and stuck his gum on the podium.

So while we’re all laughing at these people pretending to be the actor-turned-rapper, it seems he is actually the one secretly laughing at all of us.

“Joaquin wanted this, of course he knew (about the parodies) because it’s all part of a very strategic plan,” said our inside source. “He is selling it all as a documentary not about his musical career but the whole issue of public persona. It’s all a big joke and he’s not pursuing rapping seriously no matter what he says.”

Phew – Ben Stiller can probably breathe a sigh of relief too.

“Ben (Stiller) was just going along with the joke that Joaquin started,” added our insider. “He wasn’t poking fun at him, there are no hard feelings.”

[From Fox News’ Pop Tarts]

I’m not totally sure I buy this. There are a lot of arguments either way, in terms of Joaquin’s sanity. It seems like the general public is more concerned about Joaquin than his close friends are, which does lend credit to the idea that he’s just playing with us and doing some sort of experiment.

However Dr. Drew Pinsky (of “Loveline” and “Celebrity Rehab” fame) wrote a piece for Radar explaining his concerns about Joaquin in detail, and pointed out that several of his behaviors are symptomatic of severe mental illness and almost impossible to mimic, even by a trained actor.

Nonetheless, my money is on Joaquin pulling one over on the public. If so, he’s definitely provided some great comedic fodder.

Here’s Ben Stiller and Natalie Portman poking fun of Phoenix at the Oscars on Sunday night. Header of Joaquin before his “Late Show” appearance on February 11th. Image thanks to Fame.