Children of God
Joaquin had always led a pretty unusual life, even from the very beginning of his life. He was destined to be an unusual character. Originally born in the Puerto Rican city of San Juan, his name was originally Joaquin Rafael Bottom. Though he would one day become a huge movie star, in his youth, he and his family were members of the Children of God cult.
Life Abroad
Joaquin lived a life abroad and on the seas. Traveling with parents John Lee and Arlyn, as well as his four other siblings, Joaquin Phoenix grew up visiting everywhere within South America with the aforementioned Children of God. Eventually, in 1978, his parents became bored with the religion and returned to America on a cargo ship.