Actor joaquin phoenix reportedly lost 52 pounds in a few months to play the title role in "joker," giving himself an emaciated look as well as disturbing psychological symptoms; though phoenix was under medical supervision, losing that much weight in just a few months is extreme and dangerous, an expert told insider. Weight loss to play joker. Extreme weight loss phoenix lost 52 pounds for the role, a process that he suggested informed his performance "the first thing for us was the weight loss," said phoenix when joker debuted at the. weight loss to play joker Angel d newton, phd on flipboard...