Who was Joaquin Phoenix’s mother? Meet Arlyn Phoenix

Arlyn Sharon Phoenix (née Dunetz) is the mother of actors River, Rain, Joaquin, Liberty, and Summer Phoenix. She was born on December 31, 1944, in The Bronx, New York City, to Margaret and Meyer Dunetz.

Arlyn was raised with her two sisters, Rhoda and Merle (Sun). Her mother’s family was from Hungary, and her father’s family was from Russia.

Although Arlyn’s family was Jewish and celebrated the Jewish culture and holidays, they did not attend synagogue. Arlyn Phoenix is an American social activist and has made significant contributions in the realm of social activism.

Arlyn Sharon Phoenix has been the executive director of The Florida School of Traditional Midwifery for five years, one of ten accredited direct-entry midwifery schools in the country.

In 2012, Arlyn Sharon Phoenix co-founded the non-profit organization River Phoenix Center for Peacebuilding which provides and promotes the best practices and principles of peacebuilding and global sustainability. She is on the Board of Directors of Peace Alliance, an organization that supports the creation of a United States Department of Peace.