The famous Phoenix family probably have the most intriguing story as far as where they were before any of them achieved fame. The family has been all over the place and it all started in 1972 when the parents of the Phoenix children (Aryln Sharon Dunetz & John Lee Bottom) joined a cult in California called, Children of God. From there on the father was designated the "Archbishop of Venezuela and the Caribbean". Although faithful, the family, received no compensation or support while they lived in under developed areas. The Family soon became cynical towards the cult and left for America in 1977. Being out of the country for five years the family lived in poverty and the kids were forced to perform on the streets to try to bring in some kind of income. This is where the children's talent in performing first appeared. In 1979 they moved to Southern California where the children were spotted by decorated talent agent, Iris Burton. The children's fame today varies but they all came from this unique and unconventional family.
The Phoenix Children
Most of the Phoenix children have similar traits in common. They are mostly vegans and big advocates for animal rights.
River Jude Phoenix- River was probably the first and best known of the family. He broke out when he was the star of Stand By Me (1986) and then went on to play "Young Indiana Jones" in Indiana Jones the Last Crusade (1989). His last big film was My Private Idaho (1991) starring beside a young Keanu Reeve's who was his best friend at the time. Sadly, on Halloween night in 1993 River died of a cocaine/heroin overdose outside of The Viper Room on West Hollywood Boulevard. The club was owned by Johnny Depp at the time and Depp's band was actually on stage when River collapsed outside on the sidewalk. The death of River Phoenix was a tragic one because he was destined for greatness. Leonardo Dicaprio's role in The Basketball Diaries (1995) was written for him, of course Leo stepped in after River's death. Before he passed he was a known human rights activist and a vegan.
Rain Joan of Arc Phoenix- Rain wasn't as gifted as River acting wise, but she still did some memorable work. She appeared alongside Julia Stiles in "O" (2001), but otherwise was more musically inclined. She played in a band called "The Causes Way" with her sister Summer. She even toured with the Red Hot Chili Peppers as a back up singer on their 1996 Tour.
Joaquin "Leaf" Phoenix- Leaf or better known as Joaquin to the rest of the world was the third of the Phoenix children and probably the best known next to River. He was first reluctant to act when a child and ventured to Mexico and South America with his father. On the night of his older brothers death, his frantic 911 call was recorded and broadcast on the news. He struggled with his brothers death which made him go into seclusion until his friends suggested acting as a way to cope with it. He had many minor roles between 1995-99, his first big blockbuster was Gladiator (2000) starring alongside Russell Crowe. He had a few more successes such as Signs (2002), Hotel Rwanda (2004), and Walk the Line (2005). After Walk the Line he went into seclusion and had a brief hoax as a rap artist and eventually came out with his own mockumentary called "I'm Still Here" (2010) that he and his brother-in-law, Casey Affleck were filming. Recently he has came out of his shell and starred in "The Master" (2012) alongside Phillip Seymour Hoffman.  |
| River and Liberty in 1991 |
Liberty "Mariposa" Phoenix- Liberty, overall has kept a low key lifestyle in contrast to her siblings. In 2005, she was running her own clothing design company called LP Originals. She lost her only son when he developed allergy problems due to the poor housing they were currently living in. She is a strict vegan and owns and operates Indigo: Green Solutions for a healthy home, obviously in memory of her son.
Summer "Joy" Phoenix- Summer is the youngest of the Phoenix children. She was in a band with her sister Rain called, The Causes Way. She has had many minor roles in film and television such as: Murder She Wrote (1984) , Growing Pains (1987), ER (1997), SLC Punk! (1998), and The Laramie Project (2002). She is a vegan like all of her other siblings and is a activist for PETA. In 2004, she and the younger brother of Ben Affleck, Casey Affleck were engaged and the two eventually married. She is the mother of two sons, Indiana and Atticus with Affleck. Present day she owns and operates a fashion boutique called "Some Odd Rubies" which is a play on words with her name and her partners. (Odessa Whitmire & Ruby Canner) hence, Sum Odd Rubies.
JM
