Joaquin Phoenix finally convinced his girlfriend Rooney Mara to try karate

Rome International Film Festival

Rooney Mara and Joaquin Phoenix fell in love in late 2016/early 2017. In fact, by January 2017, there was already gossip about how Rooney had dumped her long-time boyfriend for Joaquin. They began living together soon after they started dating, and how do I say this… it felt like Joaquin got gloriously domesticated in a hurry. Maybe he’s always been rather domestic – he seems to have a history of serial monogamy – but it’s really next-level with Rooney. They are granola-crunching hippies who relax with elitist colonics. They watch obscure documentaries and fall asleep by 9 pm. I imagine they compost. Rooney has always been the kind of indie-hearted actress who describes herself as “aloof.” And Joaquin is the kind of guy who gets in shape with karate AND he still smokes (I think Rooney does too?). Anyway, at some point, Joaquin and Rooney honestly became one of my favorite celebrity couples. And this story made me love them even more:

The couple that kicks butt together, stays together. Over the weekend Joaquin Phoenix and Rooney Mara were spotted leaving a karate studio in Los Angeles, both sporting their uniforms from class. In post-workout form, the couple, who are trained experts at keeping their love private, also wore sunglasses for some extra discretion.

Phoenix, 44, strolled in the parking lot with his sneakers in hand, while Mara, 34, wrapped a flannel shirt around her waist and carried a tote bag. The “Joker” actor does the sport on a regular basis and has even looped in former co-stars such as Jonah Hill and now, Mara. In 2017, Hill said on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” while promoting their film, “Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot,” that the two practice the martial arts form together.

“He’s legit, I’m not going to speak on it,” the “21 Jump Street” actor told Kimmel at the time. “I’ll let him speak for himself.”

[From Page Six]

Can you imagine? Not yoga. Not Hot Yoga. Not Pilates. Not Crossfit. Not SoulCycle. KARATE. He got his girlfriend – pale, wispy, aloof Rooney Mara – into karate. I love it. I imagine it’s taken this long for Joaquin to talk her into it. “Baby, why don’t you come and meet my sensei, you’ll really like it, it feels good.” “Honey I’m trying to watch Monster Road, can we not do this?” “You would really enjoy it, please just come and watch me, you don’t have to do it!” And he hooked her. Now Rooney is doing karate with her man. I love them.

Also: People Mag thinks Rooney & Joaquin might be engaged because Rooney seems to be wearing a diamond ring?

Rooney Mara, Joaquin Phoenix at arrivals...

Photos courtesy of WENN, Avalon Red.

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13 Responses to “Joaquin Phoenix finally convinced his girlfriend Rooney Mara to try karate”

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  1. Lala11_7 says:

    I pretty much keep my eye on River…because I don’t think I will EVA get over Phoenix…and this past weekend…I watched Rooney in “The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo”…that I enjoy as much as I enjoyed the original…and LOVE her in the part…

    Out of ALL of the celebrity couples…THIS one…makes so much sense to me…and the fact that they met and probably started falling in love making one of my ALL time favorite movies…”Her”…makes it even better!

    • The Dot says:

      They make sense as a couple.

      Side note, when I see them, all I think of are those pictures from that movie they did. She’s dressed as Mary, he’s Jesus nailed to the cross, and they’re sharing cigs between takes.

  2. Karen2 says:

    Nope. Jeez no. Shes throwing herself into a life role just like she did during ‘Dragon Tattoo.’ imo. & again just personally. I think its sad. Although I’m sure he’s very happy. I’d rather start a charity to pick up beach trash. Does more good.

    • Esmom says:

      Really? That seems a bit extreme. Picking up a new hobby that your partner enjoys isn’t necessarily compromising your true self. And they can do charity work and enjoy karate, people can do more than one thing.

  3. Margot says:

    They seem really good together and seem similiar in a lot of ways. Lovely news if true

  4. Jessica says:

    When I see him, I’m still reminded of the whole “I’m Not There” scandal. I know it was Affleck getting sued (and who settled his lawsuit), but I’m still unsettled by it.

    I’ve always admired his acting talent. I do think he is one of the greats.

    All that said, these two seem perfect for each other.

    • Karen2 says:

      ‘Im Still Here’ + ‘You Were Never Really There’ = ‘Im Not There’ & yes I googled cos Im retentive.

  5. olive says:

    i can’t believe there’s only ten years between them – he looks so unkempt and slovenly with that beard and long hair, he looks much older than he is

  6. Parigo says:

    I want them to have edgy vegan babies. Seriously one of my favorite celeb couples.

  7. Eve says:

    My all-time favourite actor. I wish him nothing but happiness and piece of mind.

    P.S.: Although I’m still butthurt that he turned down the role of Doctor Strange.

  8. Laura says:

    He’s a very good actor. I wish them the best!

  9. Nova says:

    I love Joaquin 😍😍😍