Joaquin Pheonix was born in Puerto Rico to Children of God missionaries John Bottom Amram and Arlyn Dunetz Jochebed (a.k.a. Heart), Joaquin was the middle child in a brood of five. As a youngster he took his cues from older siblings River Phoenix and Rain Phoenix, changing his name to Leaf to match their earthier monikers. When the children were encouraged to develop their creative instincts, he followed their lead into acting has a stache.