John Lee Bottom: The Tragic Truth About The Phoenix Family

John Lee Bottom, known by his stage name John Phoenix, is notably recognized as the father of Oscar-winning actor Joaquin Phoenix and the late actor and singer River Phoenix. He and his wife were part of the religious group ‘The Children of God,’ a Christian missionary organization, for several years.

Quick Facts

• Full Name: John Lee Bottom
• First Name: John
• Middle Name: Lee
• Last Name: Bottom
• Profession: Celebrity Father
• Nationality: American
• Birth Country: United States
• Father Name: Robert Merrill Bottom
• Mother Name: Beulah Ingram
• Gender Identity: Male
• Sexual Orientation: Straight
• Date of Birth: 1947
• Height: 5 ft 6 in
• Weight: 50 Kg
• Net worth: $50 million

His Married Life And Membership In A Missionary Organization

He was a husband and a father, and Arlyn Phoenix became his wife. They first met in California and decided to get married, exchanging vows on September 13, 1969. After their marriage, they became missionaries for ‘The Children of God’ and traveled to Mexico, South America, and various parts of the United States to spread their message.

For a brief period, they adopted biblical names—Jochebed (Arlyn) and Amram (John). However, they later discovered disturbing practices within the group, including the promotion of sexual activities involving adults and minors, as well as group sex. Tragically, their son River was subjected to sexual abuse at a young age while they were part of the organization. By this time, they had four children.

Disillusioned with the group’s practices, they left the religious cult and returned to the United States with their children, settling in Winterpark, Florida. Subsequently, they officially changed their family surname to Phoenix.

His girlfriend and the birth of his first child

Before marrying Arlyn, he had a relationship with another woman, although her identity remains unknown. During this time, he had a daughter named Jodean Bottom. The family only became aware of her existence years later when a close friend revealed the information.

Once River, his son, discovered his half-sister, he took on a significant role in her life and that of her daughter. There’s a six-year age gap between River and Jodean, and there’s a photo where she’s seen in the upper right, holding her newborn daughter.

Their first kid died.

His eldest son was Rain Phoenix, while River Phoenix was known by his given name. Jude Phoenix, born on August 23, 1970, in Madras, Oregon, was a musician and actor. Growing up in severe poverty with his four siblings in Micanopy, Florida, he and his younger siblings used to perform on the streets to make money.

Beginning his performances at a young age, he appeared in various films and TV shows such as “Stand by Me,” “Running on Empty,” “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers,” “Family Ties,” among others.

Tragically, at the age of 23, on October 31, 1993, he met his end outside the nightclub ‘The Viper Room’ at 1 a.m. that night, following a performance at the club. His death resulted from a fatal overdose of heroin and cocaine. At the time of his passing, his fiancée Samantha, along with his brother Joaquin and sister Rain, were all present.

Their Son Has Passed Away

Rain Phoenix, an actress and singer, was born on November 21, 1972, in Texas, United States. She has appeared in various films like ‘Amazing Stories,’ ‘Low Down,’ ‘Forever,’ and ‘Violet,’ among others. Joaquin Phoenix, a distinguished actor and producer, gained fame for his roles in ‘Gladiator’ and ‘Joker.’ He was born on October 28, 1974, in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

At three years old, Joaquin’s parents departed from the religious group. He began performing at the age of eight. His long-term partner is actress Rooney Mara. Liberty Phoenix, a former actor, was born on July 5, 1976, in Caracas, Venezuela. She acted in movies like ‘Kate’s Secret,’ ‘Seven Brides for Seven Brothers,’ before transitioning to other pursuits.

Summer Phoenix, the youngest daughter, is an actress, model, and designer. She was born on December 10, 1978, in Winter Park, Florida, following her family’s departure from the religious sect. Starting her acting career at the tender age of two, she has appeared in films such as Dinner Rush, The Believer, Suzie Gold, and more.

Divorced with Arlyn

Their marriage appeared to be going well for quite some time. However, in 1997, they chose to part ways and officially divorced after 27 years of marriage. The reason behind their divorce remains undisclosed. In 2001, his ex-wife married Jeffrey Weisberg, who works as a producer.

Height & Weight

John stands at 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighs around 50 kilograms. He has captivating warm brown eyes and brown hair. His body measurements are approximately 36-28-34 inches.

His death and the reason for his death

After divorcing his wife, he led a more private life. Later on, he faced a battle with cancer that spanned several years. Sadly, in 2015, at the age of 68, he passed away due to cancer.

John Lee Bottom Net Worth 2023

For many years, John worked as a carpenter, keeping his net worth and earnings private. His children have all achieved remarkable success in their respective fields. His son, Joaquin Phoenix, boasts a substantial net worth, while John Lee Bottom had a net worth of $50 million.

Joaquin amassed his fortune through his acting career, which continues to flourish due to his dedication. His performance in “Joker” earned him the Best Actor Oscar in 2020, marking his third nomination in the same category. Here are details of some of his acclaimed films along with their budgets and box office earnings:

• In the psychological thriller “Joker,” Joaquin portrayed Arthur Fleck, also known as the Joker. The movie’s budget ranged from $55 million to $70 million, and it garnered a box office collection of $1.073 billion.
• In “The Master,” where he played Freddie Quell, the film had a budget of $32 million and earned $28.3 million at the box office.
• His portrayal of Commodus in the historical drama “Gladiator,” which received Oscar nominations, had a budget of $103 million and made $460.5 million at the box office.