Jodean Bottom: The Mystery About Joaquin And River Phoenix’s Sister

Jodean Bottom is the half-sister of Joaquin Phoenix and River Phoenix. Her father abandoned her after having an affair with her mother. She’s also the half-sister of Liberty Phoenix, Summer Phoenix, and Rain Phoenix.

Joaquin Phoenix and River Phoenix are well-known Hollywood actors. When River learned about his half-sister Jodean, he sought to reunite her with the Phoenix family.

Although Jodean Bottom has mostly stayed out of the public eye, she has played a significant role in her siblings’ lives and careers. Keep reading to discover more about her.

Jodean Bottom Biography

Jodean Bottom was born to a Christian family on February 29, 1964, in Amadora, Portugal. Her parents were missionaries named John Lee Bottom and Trinity, and they were living in Portugal at the time.

They had Jodean while in Portugal but later moved to the United States, where Jodean last saw her father. Her father left the US for Canada to avoid being drafted into the military during the Vietnam War.

Jodean was raised solely by her mother, Trinity, due to her father’s absence. She became known to the public after River Phoenix discovered her and took on the responsibility of caring for her as his sister.

Jodean Bottom’s Father

Jodean Bottom’s father, John Lee Bottom, also known as John Phoenix, was born on April 5, 1947, to Robert Merrill Bottom and Beulah Ernestine Ingram.

He grew up in a financially disadvantaged neighborhood in Fontana, California, and had to drop out of school because his parents couldn’t afford his education.

He worked as a gardener and carpenter to make a living. In 1973, he joined the Children of God cult and eventually rose to the rank of Archbishop.

John had an extramarital affair with Trinity, which resulted in Jodean’s birth in 1964. After Jodean’s birth, Trinity disappeared from the scene.

To avoid being drafted into the U.S. army during the Vietnam War, which lasted from November 1, 1955, to April 30, 1975, John Lee left Jodean and her mother for Canada.

He was 18 years old at the time, and the government was conscripting men born between January 1, 1944, and December 31, 1950.

In September 1969, John Lee married Arlyn Phoenix, whom he met in California. They lived at the Children of God cult headquarters in Crockett, Texas, and served as missionaries for the cult, traveling to various locations in Mexico, South America, and the United States.

On August 23, 1970, they had their first child, River Phoenix. Two years later, Rain Phoenix was born. On October 28, 1974, they had Joaquin Phoenix, followed by Liberty Phoenix two years later, and finally, Summer Phoenix, their last child and daughter, two years after that.

While working as missionaries for the Children of God cult, they went by the names Jochebeb (Arlyn) and Amram (John).

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Their eldest child, River Phoenix, was sexually abused by a member of the cult. Subsequently, they discovered the cult’s dark secrets and left in 1977.

They escaped on a freighter filled with trolleys, which dropped them off in Englewood, Florida, where they lived with Arlyn’s parents for a period.

After leaving the cult and starting anew, John and Arlyn changed their surname from Bottom to Phoenix, which explains why Jodean Bottom has a different last name from her step-siblings.

In 1997, John and Arlyn divorced after being married for 27 years, and the reasons for their divorce remain undisclosed. In 2001, Arlyn remarried a man named Jeffrey Weisberg.

Jodean Bottom Family

The Phoenix family welcomed Jodean into their lives after River Phoenix discovered her. She had a boyfriend, with whom she had a daughter, whose name remains undisclosed. However, her boyfriend was not actively involved in their lives.

Let’s take a look at profiles of the rest of her family members. I’ve already provided details about her father; now, we’ll continue with the rest of her family below.

Arlyn Phoenix

Arlyn Phoenix was born in the Bronx, New York, on December 31, 1994, to her Jewish parents, Margaret and Meyer Dunetz. She is also known as Heart Phoenix and was raised with her two sisters, Rhoda and Merle.

In 1968, she left New York for California, where she married her husband, John Lee Bottom. Arlyn has held various roles, working as an executive secretary at N.B.C. and serving as the Executive Director of The Florida School of Traditional Midwifery. She, along with her second husband, Jeffery, established the River Phoenix Centre for Peacebuilding in memory of her eldest son, River Phoenix.

River Phoenix

River Phoenix, the oldest child of John Lee Bottom, was born on August 23, 1970. Tragically, he passed away on October 31, 1993, at the age of 23 due to a drug overdose. He began his acting career at the young age of ten and gained fame for his role in the movie “Stand by Me.” He went on to star in blockbusters such as “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” and “Running on Empty.” River was also part of a band called Aleka Attic, formed by his sister Rain.

Rain Phoenix

Rain Phoenix, Jodean’s half-sister, was born in Texas on November 21, 1972. She is an actress and musician who started her music career at the age of 15. Rain formed the band Aleka’s Attic with her elder brother, River.

Joaquin Phoenix

Joaquin Phoenix, born on October 28, 1974, is the most well-known member of the Phoenix family, thanks to his remarkable success in the movie industry. He won the Best Actor award at the Venice International Film Festival for his role in “The Master” and is famous for his portrayal of the Joker in the movie of the same name.

Liberty Phoenix

Liberty Phoenix, born on July 5, 1976, is the fourth child of John Lee Phoenix and Arlyn Phoenix. She is an actress and a singer and manages the River Phoenix Centre for Peacebuilding, a charity organization founded by her mother in memory of River Phoenix.

Summer Phoenix

Summer Phoenix, born on December 10, 1978, is the youngest in the Phoenix family. She has appeared in various movie productions and has earned credit for her roles. Summer is married to Casey Affleck and has two children. She was featured in movies like “The Believer” and “Mary Pickford: Love Wild.”

Jodean Bottom’s Net Worth

As of now, Jodean Bottom’s net worth is not estimated. She maintains a low-key life, and her family provides support for her. Despite her business success, she remains close to her family and has been a source of support and inspiration for her brother, Joaquin. Jodean has played a crucial role in helping Joaquin overcome his addiction and mental health issues, both personally and professionally. While Jodean may not be a household name, her contributions to her family and the wider world have not gone unnoticed.