Joaquin Phoenix has a cleft scar.
Phoenix's distinctive scar between his nose and lip is a result of a congenital condition known as a cleft lip, which he was born with. This is not a surgical scar, but rather a natural feature resulting from the cleft lip. The condition occurs when the tissues that form the lip do not completely join before birth. It's a prominent feature of his appearance and a common topic of discussion regarding the actor.
