His father, John Lee Bottom, was a lapsed Catholic from Fontana, California. They married in 1969, then later joined the religious cult the Children of God. This was also around the time Joaquin had begun calling himself “Leaf”, desiring to have a similar nature-related name like his siblings (he was inspired by spending time outdoors raking leaves with his father). Joaquin’s call to 911 to save his brother was recorded and repeatedly played over the airwaves and on television. Upon being cast as Johnny Cash in Walk the Line after Cash himself approved, Phoenix responded by buying a guitar and learning how to play. in 2006, Phoenix was invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. in 2005, he was awarded the “Humanitarian Award” at the San Diego Film Festival for his work and contribution to Earthlings. The crash reportedly was caused by brake failure.
