Joaquin Phoenix recalls early childhood as a member of a 'cult'

Actor Joaquin Phoenix poses at the "Inherent Vice" gala screening during AFI Fest 2014 in Hollywood November 8, 2014. REUTERS

Joaquin Phoenix’s upbringing was anything but typical. At the age of 6, he was signed by talent agents and before that he traveled with his family around Central and South America as part of a group called Children of God, which is often referred to as a cult.

Phoenix opened up about his early life experiences while speaking with Playboy.

The Children of God have come under fire for alleged sexual abuse of minors and rumors that married couples switch partners within the group. Phoenix said that wasn’t the experience his family had.

“As I understand it, you’re on the outside of that group until you’re accepted. I don’t think we ever got to that point, because frankly, as it got closer, I think my parents went, ‘Wait a minute. This is more than a religious community. There’s something else going on here, and this doesn’t seem right.’ And so they left very early on,” he said.

Phoenix insisted his parents were unaware of the stranger practices within the group. He said they were introduced to the Children of God through friends.

“I think my parents thought they’d found a community that shared their ideals,” he said. “Cults rarely advertise themselves as such. It’s usually someone saying, ‘We’re like-minded people. This is a community,’ but I think the moment my parents realized there was something more to it, they got out.”

Phoenix added much of the buzz worthy Children of God behavior happened in the ‘80s, long after his family had moved on from the group.

“It starts out one way and takes some time before it evolves into something else,” he explained. “When people bring up Children of God, there’s always something vaguely accusatory about it. It’s guilt by association. I think it was really innocent on my parents’ part. They really believed, but I don’t think most people see it that way. I’ve always thought that was strange and unfair.”

After his parents left the Children of God, they changed the family’s last name from Bottom to Phoenix and his mom began working for NBC, which was his introduction into the world of agents and show biz.

Phoenix said he was thrilled to enter the limelight.

“We were always singing and playing music, and we were encouraged to express ourselves,” he recalled. “When you’re a kid, acting is an extension of playing. You have an imagination, right? If that’s encouraged and you’re in an environment where you’re given these props and opportunities to express yourself, it’s terribly exciting. I always loved it.”

Click here for more from Phoenix’s Playboy interview.

WATCH: Four4Four: Stars take their clothes off over and over and...