Last updated on: December 13, 2025
River Mara Phoenix is the eldest child of renowned actors Joaquin Phoenix and Rooney Mara. River Mara Phoenix is a child born in 2020 who has been shielded from the limelight. Despite this fact, the media has a huge interest in him owing to his parents’ popularity as actors, as well as the significance of his name. Below is a simple assessment of River’s life, background, and family.
Quick Facts About River Mara Phoenix
| Full Name | River Mara Phoenix |
| Birthdate | August 2020 |
| Age | 5 years and 4 months old |
| Birthplace | Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Occupation | None (Child) |
| Education | N/A |
| Husband / Wife | Not Married |
| Parents | Joaquin Phoenix (father), Rooney Mara (mother) |
| Siblings | Sparrow Phoenix (younger brother, born 2024) |
| Children | None |
| Net Worth | <$1 million |
A Name Filled with Meaning
River Mara Phoenix keeps a name that is full of feelings. River, his first name, is named after Joaquin Phoenix’s late brother, River Phoenix. River Phoenix was a talented actor and musician. River Phoenix passed away in 1993 when he was only 23 years old. This shocked Joaquin, as well as the whole family.
In naming his child River, Joaquin has honored his bother’s memory. The second name Mara is derived from the family name of actress Rooney Mara. The naming is a symbol of love, remembrance, and association with family. The name is sometimes given as River Mara-Phoenix, though there is no official naming style that has been adopted.
Birth and First Public Mention
River’s birth date is 2020, with his birthplace being Los Angeles, California. The parents did not make a comment on the birth. This is consistent with how they have handled his life, keeping everything private.
The River’s name came into the public domain later that year. Victor Kossakovsky, a Russian filmmaker, used the name during a Q&A session at the Zurich Film Festival. The reason Joaquin Phoenix, who worked as an executive producer on a documentary called Gunda, didn’t attend had to do with him becoming a father.
Parents: Joaquin Phoenix, Rooney Mara
River’s parents are two of the most esteemed actors in Hollywood.
Joaquin Phoenix has appeared in movies such as Gladiator, Walk the Line, and Joker. In the category of Best Actor, he won an Oscar in 2020. This actor has his last name as Bottom, but he changed it to Phoenix with his family in 1979.
Rooney Mara’s acting career includes Carol, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, etc. Mara belongs to a renowned Mara as well as a Rooney family, who own a major NFL franchise. Rooney, on the other hand, is devoted to acting, as well as philanthropy, but not to sports.
The couple met during the filming of the movie Her back in 2013. The two couple made a red-carpet appearance in 2017. It is reported that they tied the knot sometime in 2020.
Having a Strong Family Background
River Mara Phoenix traces his ancestry from a large and creative family. On his dad’s side, he has relatives who are famous in the film and music industry.
Joaquin Phoenix has four living brothers and sisters:
Rain Phoenix
Summer Phoenix
Purity Ring
And the late River Phoenix
The two brothers came from a very special, itinerant family environment. This shared life led to a strong sibling bond.
On his mother’s side, River comes from a family that is well known for sporting excellence as well as service. Notwithstanding his prestigious athletic genealogical background, River’s life is pretty inconspicuous.
READ ALSO: Joaquin Phoenix Net worth, Age, Wife, Family, Facts & More
The Other Side of the Spotlight
River Mara Phoenix has no appearance on social media platforms, and he has never stepped out on red carpets. River Mara Phoenix has no acting project as of 2025. That is a choice his parents have made for him.
Joaquin and his wife, Rooney, prefer that childhood remains shielded. They keep a low profile with regard to media exposure and are even tight-lipped when approached for interviews concerning their kids. The entire household is based in the Los Angeles environment, intent on a quiet, uncomplicated childhood.
The New Man in the House In June 2024, River became an older brother. Joaquin Phoenix and his wife, Rooney Mara, have now given birth to their second child, a boy named Sparrow Phoenix.
