Joaquin Phoenix’s Father, John Lee Bottom, and His Unforgettable Story

When people hear the name Joaquin Phoenix, they think of a big Hollywood star. He played powerful roles in movies like Joker and Walk the Line. But behind this famous actor was a simple man with a very unique life. That man was his father, John Lee Bottom.

John didn’t live for fame. He lived for his family, his beliefs, and a peaceful life. He once traveled the world as a missionary, raised five talented children, and went through some hard and strange times.

In this article, we’ll learn the real story of Joaquin Phoenix’s father, John Lee Bottom — a man with a life full of change, love, and quiet strength.

John Lee Bottom Quick Bio

Who Was John Lee Bottom?

John Lee Bottom was not a celebrity. He was a regular man with a deep and sometimes complicated life. He was born in California in 1947, and he grew up with four younger siblings. As the oldest child, he helped take care of his family from a young age.

He didn’t come from money or fame. He worked hard jobs like landscaping and carpentry to support his family. He also loved music and once dreamed of being a songwriter.

Later, John changed his last name to Phoenix — just like the bird that rises again after falling. It was a sign of starting fresh after some hard times.

How John Met Arlyn, Joaquin’s Mom

John’s love story with Arlyn Dunetz (later known as Heart Phoenix) is like a movie. In 1968, Arlyn was hitchhiking in California. John saw her and offered a ride. That simple moment started a lifetime together.

Arlyn was born in the Bronx, New York. Her family was Jewish and had moved from Russia. She left home to explore new ideas and experiences on the West Coast. John and Arlyn connected quickly. They both wanted a life full of meaning.

They got married in 1969, and soon started a big family. Together, they raised six children and took their kids on a journey that was far from ordinary.

The Children of God

In the early 1970s, John and Arlyn joined a group called The Children of God. At first, the group seemed kind and loving. It taught about peace, sharing, and spreading love.

The couple became missionaries, moving to places like Mexico, Venezuela, and Trinidad. They even changed their names to Jochebed and Amram, taken from the Bible. They were called “archbishops” by the group and helped teach others.

They had very little money. They lived in small spaces and often sang or performed on the streets with their kids to earn food. It was a hard life, but they believed they were doing something good at the time.

Why John Lee Bottom Left the Cult

Later, John and Arlyn found out that the cult had dark and wrong ideas. The group was using sex to bring in new members, even with young people involved. When they saw this, they knew it was not safe for their kids.

Joaquin said in an interview that his parents left right away. “They got some letter or message… and they were like, ‘Forget this, we’re outta here.’”

The family left the cult in 1977. They moved to Florida and changed their last name to Phoenix, to show they were starting over.

Joaquin’s Childhood with His Dad

After leaving the group, life was still tough, but the family was free. They didn’t have much, but they had each other. They lived simply, but they were close, creative, and loving.

John worked hard to take care of everyone. He helped his kids follow their talents — even though he didn’t care about fame or money. Joaquin later said his family was “very creative and expressive.”

They weren’t rich, but they were strong together. And John was always there in the background, supporting his children with love and calm guidance.

The Phoenix Kids and Their Early Life

John and Arlyn had five kids together — River, Rain, Joaquin, Liberty, and Summer. Each one was born in a different place as the family moved around. River was born in Oregon in 1970. Rain came in Texas in 1972. Joaquin was born in Puerto Rico in 1974. Liberty was born in Venezuela in 1976, and Summer was born in Florida in 1978.

Because of their missionary work, the kids didn’t have a normal home or school life. They were always traveling, moving from one country to another. They learned from real-life experiences, not just books.

Rain once said, “I get fidgety if I stay in one place too long.” That shows how much traveling shaped them. John helped them stay grounded and strong, even when life was always changing.

How Joaquin Phoenix’s Father Helped Start His Career

After moving to California, things slowly started to change for the Phoenix family. Arlyn got a job as a secretary at NBC, and through her boss, the family met someone who worked with young actors.

That’s when Joaquin Phoenix’s father, John Lee Bottom, and Arlyn helped all their children get into acting. But they had one rule — all the kids had to stay together. They didn’t want any of them to be treated differently or left out.

The kids started acting in small commercials. Even though the family was vegan, they once acted in ads for fast food and meat brands. Joaquin remembered telling their agent, “We’re not doing McDonald’s or Coca-Cola.” That shows how strong their values were, even as kids.

Why John Lee Bottom Pulled Away from Hollywood

As the Phoenix children started getting famous, John began to worry. He didn’t want his kids to get lost in fame or forget their values.

In an interview, River Phoenix said their father was afraid the business could “ruin” them. He didn’t want his kids to become materialistic or lose the things they believed in.

John tried to bring the family back to a simpler life. He moved to Costa Rica and opened a vegetarian restaurant. He wanted the kids to help grow food, cook meals, and make music — just like they used to when they were young.

The Tragic Loss of River Phoenix

One of the saddest moments in the Phoenix family’s story was the death of River Phoenix. River was a rising star in Hollywood and loved by many. But on October 31, 1993, he died outside a nightclub in Los Angeles. He was only 23 years old.

Joaquin Phoenix’s father, John Lee Bottom, was heartbroken. He had already been trying to get River to leave Hollywood. He felt the industry was draining his son. He once said, “I told him I wanted him out of movies… I thought it was time for him to stop.”

River’s death was a shock to the world. For the family, it was something they never fully got over.

John Lee Bottom’s Secret Daughter, Jodean

There’s one more part of John’s story that many people don’t know. Before he married Arlyn, John had a daughter with another woman. Her name is Jodean Bottom.

For a long time, nobody in the Phoenix family knew about her. But later, a family friend shared the truth. After that, River Phoenix stepped in. He found Jodean and helped support her and her daughter.

This story shows the kind of people the Phoenix family really are — kind, caring, and always looking out for each other.

Life After Divorce

After many years together, John and Arlyn Phoenix decided to separate. They got divorced in 1997, after 27 years of marriage. The reason for the split was never shared, but it seemed to happen quietly and respectfully.

After the divorce, Arlyn later married Jeffrey Weisberg. Together, they started the River Phoenix Center for Peacebuilding in honor of their late son. Arlyn continued to work for peace, kindness, and helping others.

John, on the other hand, stayed away from public life. He kept living simply, just the way he always liked.

John Lee Bottom’s Death and Legacy

In 2015, John Lee Bottom passed away after fighting cancer. He was 68 years old. His death was not shared publicly until Joaquin Phoenix mentioned it in a 2019 interview. When asked where his father lived, Joaquin softly said, “He lives in heaven.”

Even though he wasn’t famous, John left behind a powerful legacy. He raised five talented children and gave them the love and support they needed to grow. He taught them about honesty, simplicity, and standing up for what’s right.

Today, Joaquin Phoenix’s father, John Lee Bottom, is remembered as a quiet but strong man who shaped a beautiful family — a man whose story is just as unforgettable as the movies his children star in.

Final Thoughts

John Lee Bottom lived a life that was far from ordinary. He wasn’t perfect, but he tried his best. He believed in love, family, and simple living. He made mistakes, but he also made brave choices — like leaving a harmful cult, supporting his kids, and walking away from fame.

He wasn’t just Joaquin Phoenix’s father — he was a husband, a dad, a traveler, and a man searching for meaning. His story teaches us that even quiet people can make a big difference.

And that’s why his life will always be remembered.

(FAQs)

Did John Lee Bottom have any grandchildren?

Yes, he did — but not many people know about them. Even though he had six kids, most of his grandchildren stay out of the public eye. The family keeps them very private.

How and when did John Lee Bottom die?

He died from cancer on June 18, 2015, at the age of 68. What’s surprising is that no one knew about it until Joaquin quietly shared the news years later.

How many children did John Lee Bottom have?

John had six children — five with his wife Arlyn (River, Rain, Joaquin, Liberty, and Summer), and one more, Jodean, from a relationship before he got married.

What was John Lee Bottom’s religion?

He and his wife were once part of a group called The Children of God. It turned out to be a cult with disturbing rules, so they left it to protect their kids.

What kind of work did John Lee Bottom do?

He worked simple jobs like carpentry and landscaping. He was also a missionary and later opened a vegetarian restaurant in Costa Rica to live a peaceful life.