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5 Shocking Facts About Joaquin Phoenix's Dad, John Lee Bottom: From Cult Missionary To Vegan Father

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The enigmatic life of Joaquin Phoenix's father, John Lee Bottom, is a story more dramatic and complex than any Hollywood script. While the Oscar-winning actor is one of the most private stars in the industry, the extraordinary journey of his parents—from missionaries in a controversial religious group to raising a family of successful actors—is central to the Phoenix family lore. This deep dive, updated for the current year, reveals the most recent and compelling facts about the patriarch who shaped one of cinema’s most famous families.

John Lee Bottom’s legacy is a tapestry woven with countercultural spirit, spiritual searching, and a profound influence on his children’s unique perspectives on life, fame, and activism. From his roots in California to a nomadic life across South America, his story is the foundational chapter in the biography of Joaquin, River, Rain, Liberty, and Summer Phoenix.

John Lee Bottom: A Complete Biographical Profile

The man who would become the father of Hollywood royalty lived a life defined by a quest for spiritual meaning and a rejection of traditional American culture. His journey is marked by significant, transformative decisions that directly impacted his children's lives.

  • Full Name: John Lee Bottom (Later adopted the surname Phoenix)
  • Place of Birth: Fontana, California, USA
  • Spouse: Arlyn Dunetz (Arlyn Phoenix) (Married 1969, later divorced)
  • Children: Jodean Bottom (from a previous relationship), River Phoenix, Rain Phoenix, Joaquin Phoenix, Liberty Phoenix, and Summer Phoenix.
  • Background: Lapsed Catholic, worked as a gardener in Fontana, California.
  • Religious Affiliation: Member and missionary for the controversial religious group, The Children of God, during the late 1970s.
  • Death: June 18, 2015, at the age of 68.
  • Cause of Death: Cancer.
  • Key Influence: Co-instilled a strong countercultural, spiritual, and environmentally conscious spirit in his children, notably influencing their vegan and animal rights activism.

The Shocking Truth of The Children of God Cult and The Nomadic Years

The most defining and often discussed period of John Lee Bottom’s life was his involvement with the religious group known as The Children of God (later The Family International). This chapter is crucial to understanding the formative years of the Phoenix children.

Joining the Cult and Life as Missionaries

John Lee Bottom met Arlyn Dunetz in California in 1968, and the two quickly bonded over a shared countercultural and spiritual drive. They married in 1969 and soon joined The Children of God, a group that was gaining notoriety for its radical missionary work and controversial practices.

The family’s early life was one of constant movement, as John Lee and Arlyn served as missionaries for the group. They traveled extensively throughout Central and South America, with their first children—River and Rain—being born during this period. Joaquin Phoenix himself was born in 1974 in San Juan, Puerto Rico, while his parents were on a mission.

The Decision to Leave and The Symbolic Rebirth

By 1977, John Lee and Arlyn grew disillusioned with the group, particularly its increasingly questionable practices, which included the controversial doctrine of "Flirty Fishing." The parents made the courageous decision to leave the cult, prioritizing the safety and well-being of their children. This pivotal moment marked the end of their nomadic, missionary lifestyle.

Upon returning to the United States and settling in California, the family sought a symbolic break from their past. It was John Lee Bottom who initiated the family’s famous name change from "Bottom" to "Phoenix." The name was chosen to represent a new beginning, like the mythical bird rising from the ashes of its past. This single decision cemented the family's identity in Hollywood and remains one of the most powerful symbols of their resilience.

The Lasting Influence: Veganism, Activism, and The Hollywood Warning

While John Lee Bottom and Arlyn Phoenix eventually divorced, his philosophical and ethical influence on his children is undeniable. The entire Phoenix family is known for its passionate activism, particularly for animal rights and environmental causes—a trait that can be traced directly back to their parents' countercultural roots.

A Recent Revelation: John Lee Bottom Was Also Vegan

In a detail that only recently surfaced, Joaquin Phoenix confirmed that his father was also a vegan. This revelation, which the actor shared while promoting his film Eddington, provides a crucial link between John Lee's personal beliefs and the lifelong veganism of all five Phoenix children. This fact demonstrates that the family’s core values were not solely driven by Arlyn, but were a shared principle instilled by both parents.

The children, including Joaquin and his late brother River Phoenix, have been outspoken advocates for animal rights since childhood. This deep-seated ethical commitment is a testament to the moral foundation John Lee and Arlyn built for them, despite the unconventional nature of their early lives.

The Warning About Hollywood Fame

The family’s transition to Hollywood was driven by the children's burgeoning talent, particularly River's. However, John Lee Bottom was reportedly wary of the industry's corrosive effects. Following the tragic and untimely death of his eldest son, River Phoenix, in 1993, John Lee voiced his deep concern about the pressures of fame. He was quoted as saying, "I could see Hollywood was eating him up, bleeding him dry. I told him I wanted him out of movies."

This statement highlights John Lee's protective nature and his inherent skepticism toward the mainstream culture that his family had initially sought to escape. His death, which occurred in 2015 from cancer, was a private affair, mirroring the discreet life he lived after stepping away from the spotlight and his divorce from Arlyn.

The Final Mystery: Joaquin Phoenix and The Missing Ashes

One of the most poignant and surprising details to emerge about John Lee Bottom's passing is a story shared by Joaquin Phoenix himself in a high-profile interview. This anecdote reveals the raw, human side of their relationship and the final, somewhat chaotic, chapter of his father's life.

Joaquin Phoenix revealed to a reporter that, years after his father's death, he and his sisters still could not locate John Lee’s ashes. This unexpected confession underscores the lack of formality and the unconventional nature that characterized the family’s life, even in death. It speaks to a man who lived outside of normal conventions, and whose final resting place remains a mystery to his own children.

Despite the lack of a traditional burial site, John Lee Bottom’s legacy lives on powerfully through his children. Joaquin, often noted for being his father's physical "twin," continues to embody the countercultural and activist spirit that John Lee instilled. The story of John Lee Bottom is not just a footnote in a famous actor's life; it is the extraordinary, complex origin story of the entire Phoenix dynasty.

Topical Entities and LSI Keywords

To provide maximum topical authority, the following entities and LSI keywords are central to the story of John Lee Bottom and the Phoenix family:

  • Arlyn Phoenix (Mother)
  • River Phoenix (Brother)
  • Rain Phoenix (Sister)
  • Liberty Phoenix (Sister)
  • Summer Phoenix (Sister)
  • Jodean Bottom (Half-Sister)
  • Children of God (Cult)
  • The Family International
  • San Juan, Puerto Rico (Birthplace)
  • Fontana, California
  • Vegan Activism
  • Animal Rights
  • The Name Change (Bottom to Phoenix)
  • River Phoenix Death (1993)
  • Cancer (Cause of Death 2015)
  • Joker (Joaquin Phoenix Film)
  • The Master (Joaquin Phoenix Film)
  • Countercultural Spirit
  • Vanity Fair (Source)
  • Hollywood Royalty
  • Nomadic Lifestyle
joaquin phoenix dad
joaquin phoenix dad

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