Jodean Bottom is the half-sister of the renowned actors Joaquin Phoenix and the late River Phoenix. While Jodean’s profile may not be as high-profile as her siblings, her story is still intriguing. Her father abandoned her after an illicit affair with her mother. She’s also the half-sister to Liberty Phoenix, Summer Phoenix, and Rain Phoenix.
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Profile summary
| Birth Name | Jodean Trust Bottom |
| Age | 59 years old |
| Birth Date | February 29, 1964 |
| Birth Place | Amadora, Portugal |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | unknown |
| Height | 5’7″ |
| Parents | Father: John Lee Bottom Mother: Trinity Step Mother: Arylin Phoenix |
| Siblings | Liberty Phoenix Summer Phoenix Late River Phoenix Joaquin Phoenix Rain Phoenix |
| Children | 1 daughter |
| Niece | Scarlette Jasmine Phoenix-Asch |
| Net Worth | Unknown |
Who is Jodean Bottom?
Jodean Bottom is the half-sister of Joaquin Phoenix and River Phoenix. She was born on February 29, 1964, in Amadora, Portugal, to Christian missionaries John Lee Bottom and Trinity.
Jodean faced challenges as her father left her and her mother after an illicit affair.
Jodean Bottom’s Childhood
Raised solely by her mother, Trinity, Jodean came into prominence when her half-brother, River Phoenix, discovered her existence and took on the responsibility of caring for her. Her father, John Lee Bottom, also known as John Phoenix, was born on April 5, 1947, to Robert Merrill Bottom and Beulah Ernestine Ingram. Growing up in a humble neighborhood in Fontana, California, John had to drop out of school due to financial constraints. He worked as a gardener and carpenter to make ends meet.
In 1964, John had an extramarital affair with Trinity, which resulted in Jodean’s birth in Portugal. However, Trinity’s whereabouts were unknown after Jodean’s birth. When the Vietnam War broke out on November 1, 1955, John left the United States for Canada to evade military conscription, which applied to men born between January 1, 1944, and December 31, 1950, when he was 18 years old.
Marriage to Arlyn Phoenix and Name Change
In September 1969, John Lee married Arlyn Phoenix, whom he had met in California. The couple became active members of the cult called “The Children of God” and traveled as missionaries to places like Mexico, South America, and other parts of the United States. During this time, they were known by the names Jochebeb (Arlyn) and Amram (John).
They experienced a series of life-altering events, including the sexual abuse of their first child, River Phoenix, by a cult member. Eventually, they discovered the dark secrets of the cult and made their escape in 1977. Boarding a trolley-filled freighter, they found refuge in Englewood, Florida, living with Arlyn’s parents temporarily.
After leaving the cult, John and Arlyn decided to start a new life and changed their surname from Bottom to Phoenix. This decision explains why Jodean Bottom bears a different surname from her step-siblings.
Family and Personal Life
Jodean Bottom became part of the Phoenix family when River Phoenix learned about her existence and welcomed her into their lives. Although she had a boyfriend and they had a daughter together, her boyfriend was not involved in their family life. Now, let’s take a closer look at the other members of her family:
Arlyn Phoenix:
Born on December 31, 1944, in the Bronx, New York, Arlyn (also known as Heart Phoenix) grew up in a Jewish family with her sisters Rhoda and Merle. She left New York in 1968 and eventually married John Lee Bottom, Jodean’s father. Arlyn has held various positions, including working as an executive secretary at NBC and serving as the Executive Director of The Florida School of Traditional Midwifery. In memory of her eldest son, River Phoenix, Arlyn co-founded the River Phoenix Centre for Peacebuilding with her second husband, Jeffrey Weisberg.
River Phoenix:
Born on August 23, 1970, River Phoenix became a well-known Hollywood actor before tragically passing away from a drug overdose at the age of 23 on October 31, 1993. He began his acting career at a young age and achieved fame through roles in movies such as “Stand by Me” and “Running on Empty.” River also had a musical side and formed the band Aleka’s Attic with his sister Rain.
Rain Phoenix:
Jodean’s half-sister, Rain Phoenix, was born on November 21, 1972, in Texas. She pursued a career in acting and music, starting her music journey at the age of 15. Rain co-founded the band Aleka’s Attic with her brother River.
Joaquin Phoenix:
The most renowned member of the Phoenix family, Joaquin Phoenix was born on October 28, 1974. He has achieved tremendous success in the film industry, earning accolades such as winning the Best Actor award at the Venice International Film Festival for his role in “The Master.” Joaquin is best known for his portrayal of the Joker in the movie of the same name.
Liberty Phoenix:
Born on July 5, 1976, Liberty Phoenix is the fourth child of John Lee Phoenix and Arlyn Phoenix. She is an actress and singer, and she manages the River Phoenix Centre for Peacebuilding, a charitable organization founded by her mother in memory of River Phoenix.
Summer Phoenix:
The youngest member of the Phoenix family, Summer Phoenix, was born on December 10, 1978. She has appeared in various film productions and holds credits for several movies. Summer is married to Casey Affleck and has two children. Some of her notable works include “The Believer” and “The Laramie Project.”
Jodean Bottom’s Net Worth and Contributions
As of now, Jodean Bottom’s net worth is not estimated. Leading a private life, she has remained supportive of her family’s endeavors. Jodean has played a crucial role in helping her brother Joaquin overcome addiction and mental health challenges. Despite not being a household name, her impact within her family and beyond has not gone unnoticed.
