Many associate the Phoenix family with a powerful combination of raw talent, activism, and tragedy. We recall River’s rapid ascent before his untimely fall from grace; Joaquin’s performances that both move audiences and win Oscars; Rain and Summer’s artistic endeavours – but one member of this cast consciously chose an alternative path, opting out of Hollywood altogether: Liberty Phoenix.
Liberty made her mark through music, motherhood, and activism, quietly making an impactful statement about living sustainably and avoiding fame through movies. If you’re curious to know what became of one of the Phoenix clan’s child actors, Liberty has led an honest life full of meaning, far removed from film sets.
Family History and Early Life
Liberty Mariposa Phoenix was born on July 5, 1976, to Arlyn Phoneix and John Lee Bottom. She experienced a unique childhood alongside her more celebrated siblings. Serving as missionary with the controversial religious group The Children of God in South America during her early years led her parents and her siblings through poverty and instability.
Music and acting were an integral part of Liberty and her siblings’ everyday lives, from singing on the street corners for help their family long before Hollywood called, to when their family changed its last name from Nixese to Phoenix after leaving a cult and moving back into America; this gave each member their own creative outlets that eventually led them all into Hollywood as actors (Liberty included).
After this new beginning, came Liberty’s acting debut. She was ultimately launched her into an impressive acting career that spans many years. This short but notable acting career led her into Hollywood – something neither she nor her siblings could have predicted when Hollywood came calling.
Short Time in Hollywood
Liberty began her acting career during the early 1980s. Her first major role came on the TV show “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” (1982-1983), playing alongside River. Later, she appeared in “Kate’s Secret” (1986), portraying Meredith Baxter in her younger version.
Her acting demonstrated her natural talent, yet it quickly became evident that Liberty wasn’t meant to remain a starlet for life.
While River and Joaquin pursued their acting career, Liberty went on to explore other avenues of expression. She made a conscious decision to leave Hollywood and focus on activities that brought her joy in other forms.
Life Away From the Spotlight
Liberty Phoenix’s life post-Hollywood illustrates her commitment to her values. Instead of looking for scripts, she channelled her energy into music, activism and building a community around living sustainably.
Liberty joined punk rock band The Causey Way during the late ’90s and early 2000s alongside her sister Summer and former husband Andy Lord, with many people labelling it as more of a theatrical art project than a regular music group. Producing several albums as well as touring around, putting on unique shows, their involvement allowed Liberty to showcase an artistic and rebellious side not seen during her acting days.
Environmental Champion! (Journal of Environmental Health Science).
Liberty became a strong supporter of environmentalism and ethical consumerism due to the values her family instilled in her. She made this part of who she was; this wasn’t just a hobby for her, but a core aspect of her identity.
In 2007, Liberty took this passion further by opening Indigo Green Store in Gainesville, Florida, which sold building supplies and clothes made from sustainable materials that last longer. Her store featured everything from non-toxic building materials, a reflection of her commitment to living a non-toxic life.
Over the course of ten years, her store served as a gathering spot for local residents, offering products that were both beneficial to people and the environment. Later, she collaborated with Heart Phoenix in founding the River Phoenix Centre for Peacebuilding to further alleviate problems and combat violence without punishing individuals – following in the footsteps of River’s legacy as a champion for peace and kindness.
Impact and Legacy
Although Freedom Phoenix doesn’t appear in as many movies as her brothers, she makes just as big an impression. She serves as an embodiment of her family’s quiet strength, living by their values rather than what society expects of them, thus subverting any belief that fame or wealth defines success. Her story serves as a counterpoint to the notion that fame or wealth are the sole measures of success.
Liberty made her mark by prioritising activism, music, and community building over celebrity culture. As both a mother and a businesswoman, she proved that you can make an impactful statement without anyone watching. Her life stands as an invaluable counternarrative against the harmful aspects of celebrity culture, showing that often the roles we create for ourselves can be our most fulfilling roles of all.
What became of Liberty Phoenix? She discovered her true calling by quietly and persistently making the world better and more sustainable – not in Hollywood, but at work, where she did just that.
