Jodean Bottom is best known as the half-sister of Hollywood stars Joaquin and River Phoenix. She lives a quiet life away from the spotlight. Few people know that she was discovered later in life by her famous brother, River, who reunited her with the family. Here is her story.
Source: Getty Images
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- Jodean Bottom is the half-sister of Joaquin and the late River Phoenix.
- She was reunited with the Phoenix family after being discovered by River.
- Jodean prefers to live a private and quiet life away from fame.
Profile summary
| Name | Jodean Bottom |
| Date of birth | February 29, 1964 |
| Age | 61 years (as of 2025) |
| Place of birth | Amadora, Portugal |
| Currently residing | United States of America |
| Zodiac sign | Pisces |
| Nationality | American |
| Parents | John Lee Bottom (father), Trinity (biological mother), and Arlyn Phoenix (stepmother) |
| Siblings | The late River Phoenix, Joaquin Phoenix, Rain Phoenix, Liberty Phoenix, Summer Phoenix |
| Marital status | Single |
| Children | 1 daughter |
| Famous as | Sister of the late River and Joaquin Phoenix |
Who is Jodean Bottom?
Jodean Bottom is the half-sibling of Joaquin and River Phoenix. She was born on February 29, 1964, in Andora, Portugal. She is 61 years old as of 2025.
Who is Jodean Bottom’s mother?
Jodean is the daughter of John Lee and his girlfriend, Trinity. Her mother gave birth to her while in Amadora, Portugal. Unfortunately, John, her father, fled Canada before her birth, fearing being recruited into the army to fight in the Vietnam War. Therefore, she never got a chance to interact with her father.
After separating from John Lee Bottom, Trinity became involved with Jeffrey Weisberg. He has been her long-time partner and collaborator in humanitarian and community projects.
Jodean lived a low-key life until she got public attention after her brother, River, discovered he had another sister. Jodean’s stepmother is Arlyn Phoenix, renowned as an American social media activist and mother of popular actors.
Source: Facebook
Jodean Bottom’s siblings
Jodean is the half-sibling of the Phoenix family of actors. This includes Joaquin Phoenix, Liberty Phoenix, Summer Phoenix, Rain Phoenix, and the late River Phoenix. They are all John Lee Bottom’s children.
River Phoenix
River was the eldest son of John. He was born on August 23, 1970. River started acting when he was ten, and his first breakthrough came in the movie Support Me. He starred in amazing productions such as Indiana Jones and Running Empty.
On top of being an actor, River Phoenix was a popular musician, and he formed a band called Aleka Attic. River passed away on October 31, 1993.
Source: Getty Images
Rain Phoenix
Rain is Jodean’s half-sister, and she was born on November 21, 1972, in Texas. She is also an actress and musician. Rain started her music career at a young age, and at 15, she had already formed the band Aleka’s Attic with her late elder brother, River.
Joaquin Phoenix
Joaquin is the most popular in the Phoenix family, considering his immense success in the movie industry. He was born on October 28, 1974, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He is an actor, singer, and animal activist.
Joaquin won the best actor award at the Venice International Film Festival for his role in The Master. He is also renowned for his amazing portrayal in the psychological thriller, The Joker.
Joaquin once reflected on his childhood and said;
I had a really wonderful upbringing. We were a tight family. It was wonderful to grow up with so many siblings. We were all just a year or two apart, and we were always so supportive of each other. I learned everything from my older brother and sister and taught it to my younger sisters.
Liberty Phoenix
Liberty is the fourth child in the Phoenix family, born on July 5, 1976. She is also an actress and started her career in the 1980s. On top of acting, Liberty also sings. She is now the manager of River Phoenix Centre for Peacebuilding, a charity organization founded by her mother.
Summer Phoenix
Summer was born on December 10, 1978, and is the youngest in the family. Jodean Bottom’s sister has appeared in various notable productions over the years that have allowed her to stamp her authority in the movie industry.
Source: Getty Images
Why does Jodean Bottom’s family have a different last name?
Jodean has a different surname because she and her half-siblings were born under different circumstances. The Phoenix siblings were born to John Lee Bottom and Arlyn Dunetz. Their father later changed the family surname from Bottom to Phoenix.
The name change took place after the family left the Children of God religious group. The change symbolised hope and a new start for the family. Jodean did not take the new name.
After they settled in California, a talent agent spotted them and chose to represent the four Phoenix siblings, which was a major success.
What happened to Jodean Bottom?
Joaquin Phoenix’s sister, Jodean Bottom, was abandoned by her father when she was young. She grew up without a father figure. Later in life, River Phoenix found her and decided to bring her home.
The Phoenix family welcomed her warmly. Jodean came with her child, whose identity remains unknown. It is not clear whether Jodean is married. The Phoenix family respects her privacy and supports her quiet lifestyle.
What happened to Jodean Bottom’s eye?
There are unverified claims online that Jodean Bottom lost an eye in a car accident. However, no credible sources or public records confirm this story. Most reliable profiles about her make no mention of an eye injury.
What was John Lee Bottom’s cause of death?
John Lee Bottom, the father of Jodean Bottom and the Phoenix siblings, passed away in 2015. Reports indicate that he died from cancer.
Who are John Lee Bottom’s grandchildren?
John has several grandchildren through his children. Joaquin Phoenix and Rooney Mara have a son named River.
Source: Getty Images
His daughter Summer Phoenix has two children, Indiana and Atticus, from her marriage to Casey Affleck. Other family members have kept their children’s lives private.
Did Joaquin Phoenix name his son after his brother?
Yes. Joaquin Phoenix and his partner, Rooney Mara, named their son River in honor of Joaquin’s late brother, River Phoenix. The name serves as a loving tribute to the actor, who passed away in 1993.
Does Joaquin Phoenix have a twin brother?
No. Joaquin Phoenix does not have a twin brother. He has four siblings: River, Rain, Liberty, and Summer Phoenix. River was his older brother, and the two shared a close bond before River’s passing in 1993.
Did Joaquin Phoenix name himself?
Yes. Joaquin Phoenix chose his own name as a child. When his family changed their last name from Bottom to Phoenix, he decided to start calling himself “Leaf.” He picked the name to match his siblings’ nature-inspired names: River, Rain, Liberty, and Summer. Later, as a teenager, he returned to using his birth name, Joaquin.
Is Joaquin Phoenix married?
No. Joaquin Phoenix is not married, but he is in a long-term relationship with actress Rooney Mara. The couple met while filming Her in 2012 and began dating a few years later. They are engaged and share a son named River.
Jodean Bottom is the long-lost sister of the renowned Phoenix family, who are all successful in the entertainment industry. She shares the same father as the family, and they were glad to find out about her after many years of separation.
Have you ever wondered whether Rooney Mara and Kate Mara are related? Kate Mara is an American actress known for playing Zoë Barnes in the popular Netflix drama House of Cards.
On the other hand, Rooney Mara is a renowned actress and philanthropist. Besides their contributions to the entertainment industry, fans seek to know if they are related. So, are Rooney and Kate related?
Source: TUKO.co.ke
