Herzog Helped Phoenix From Car Wreckage

Oscar nominee Joaquin Phoenix was rescued from his car wreck last week by German cult film director Werner Herzog.

The 31-year-old star overturned his car on a canyon road above Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood after his brakes failed and he collided with another vehicle.

Phoenix was saved because he was wearing his seatbelt, but has revealed he was helped from the wreckage by the 63-year-old, who has a home nearby.

The actor says, "I remember this knocking on the passenger window. There was this German voice saying, 'Just relax.' There's the airbag, I can't see and I'm saying, 'I'm fine. I am relaxed. Finally, I rolled down the window and this head pops inside. And he said, 'No, you're not.'

"And suddenly I said to myself, 'That's Werner Herzog!' There's something so calming and beautiful about Werner Herzog's voice. I felt completely fine and safe. I climbed out. I got out of the car and I said, 'Thank you,' and he was gone."

sfgate