Joaquin Phoenix and Rooney Mara have single-handedly reduced the world into a puddle of happy tears, with news that they named their newborn son River.
The news was revealed at the Zurich Film Festival by director Viktor Kossakovsky, who was promoting his new movie Gunda which Joaquin is an executive producer of.
“He just got a baby, by the way,” he said, apologising for the Joker star’s absence, “a beautiful son called River, so he cannot promote it [the film] now.”
🚨 Viktor Kossakovsky 📽️, Gunda: He just had a baby Boy who’s Called River. ( about Joaquin) pic.twitter.com/WuUISnuTsZ
— Max California’s Lover (@Paula_FlorV) September 27, 2020
The name is a beautiful tribute to Joaquin’s brother and fellow actor River Phoenix, who tragically died in 1993. He was 23 years old. So, yeah, we’re crying because of the baby, but the fact he named him after his brother. I can’t deal.
Rooney and Joaquin have refused to comment on the pregnancy, keeping it well under wraps as they always have kept their private lives away from the spotlight.
I was not prepared for my emotional reaction to the news that Joaquin Phoenix and Rooney Mara named their new baby boy River.
— JohnnyUtah’sBadKnee (@DrewMcWeeny) September 27, 2020
joaquin phoenix and rooney mara named their kid river… brb gonna go sob pic.twitter.com/ajUE7QKTzU
— olivia (@lokifitz) September 27, 2020
me finding out joaquin phoenix named his son river pic.twitter.com/slYOi8hIkS
— autumn. (@alaskasattic) September 27, 2020
Maybe it’s because of the absolute hell that this year has been. Or maybe it’s that Joaquin Phoenix has busted into the hearts of thousands after the huge mainstream reception of Joker.
And maybe it’s because Joaquin and Rooney were, quite frankly, the cutest damn couple on the red carpet during awards season. And because he has spoken so glowingly about his late brother – even mentioning him in his Oscars win.
Whatever it is, it’s clear that we’re all so damn happy for them!
Someone, please, pass me the tissues.
Joaquin Phoenix and Rooney Mara named their baby River.
I’M DROWNING IN MY OWN TEARS pic.twitter.com/vBmB2eFCeO— Mrs (@xfillthesilence) September 27, 2020
I can’t believe Joaquin actually named his son River I’m so emotional pic.twitter.com/u66eQHuj8t
— Chloe (@thenightwindovv) September 27, 2020
“joaquin and rooney “…and they
welcomes a baby boy…” named it river.” https://t.co/gOTLvzlj6A pic.twitter.com/JQSlcf63CH— baby river’s broke godmother ♡ (@riverlieben) September 27, 2020
This is the couple’s first child together, after getting engaged in May 2019. They have spent most of the pregnancy in quarantine in their California home.
Their romance kicked off on the set of the 2018 film Mary Magdelene, but they had been friends after meeting on the set of Her in 2013.
Rooney and Joaquin haven’t made any official announcement yet, but everyone is already so overjoyed for them.
Congratulations to the happy new parents!
(Seriously, I’m a mess, I need some tissues)
Image Sources: Twitter (@jphoenixupdates, rosamundpirke)