There was no truth to the Joke being a clown or comedian. He was however, a criminal of the highest violent order in Comicdom. Original story Joke fell into a vat of acid and was disfigured which drove him mad. The original Batman movie was closer to the comic truth.
That being said Phoenix's acting is superb. He deserved an Oscar.
That being said Phoenix's acting is superb. He deserved an Oscar.