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Who was John Lee Bottom?
John Lee Bottom was the father of Oscar-winning actor Joaquin Phoenix and the late actor and musician River Phoenix. He was born in 1947 in the United States and worked as a carpenter and a landscaper. He married Arlyn Dunetz, also known as Heart Phoenix, in 1969 and joined a religious cult called The Children of God with her. They traveled across South America and Puerto Rico as missionaries and had four children: River, Rain, Joaquin, and Liberty. They later left the cult and changed their surname to Phoenix, symbolizing their rebirth. They also had another son, Summer, and adopted a daughter, Jodean, from John’s previous relationship. John and Arlyn divorced in 1997 after 28 years of marriage.
What was John Lee Bottom’s relationship with his children?
John Lee Bottom was a loving but strict father who raised his children in a unconventional and nomadic lifestyle. He taught them to be independent, creative, and compassionate. He also encouraged them to pursue their artistic talents and supported their acting careers. He was especially close to his eldest son, River, who was his best friend and confidant. He was devastated by River’s death in 1993, when he overdosed on drugs outside a nightclub in Hollywood. He blamed himself for not being there for him and struggled with guilt and grief for the rest of his life. He also had a complicated relationship with his second son, Joaquin, who witnessed River’s death and called 911. He felt that Joaquin resented him for not protecting River and for being absent from his life. He tried to reconnect with him, but Joaquin kept his distance and rarely spoke to him.
How did John Lee Bottom die and what was the cause of his death?
John Lee Bottom died in 2015 at the age of 68. He had been battling cancer for several years and lived a secluded life after his divorce. He died at his home in Florida, surrounded by his family. The exact cause of his death was not disclosed by his family or the media, but according to some sources, he had chest pains and dysentery, which may have contributed to his death. He was cremated and his ashes were scattered in the ocean.
What is the legacy of John Lee Bottom?
John Lee Bottom left behind a remarkable legacy of fatherhood, faith, and resilience. He was a man who faced many challenges and hardships in his life, but never gave up on his dreams and values. He was a man who loved his family and his God, and tried to make the world a better place. He was a man who inspired his children to follow their passions and to be themselves. He will be greatly missed and remembered by many. According to his ex-wife, Arlyn, “John was a good man, a good father, and a good husband. He had a big heart and a big spirit. He gave us so much and asked for so little. He was a part of our lives and he will always be in our hearts.”
