Joaquin Phoenix Reveals His Cult Upbringing In Children Of God To 'Playboy' Magazine

OK, things just got interesting.

Actor Joaquin Phoenix opens up to the December 2104 issue of Playboy about his family's involvement in the religious group Children of God during the 1970s and his apparent fear of things like jumping out of planes and bungee jumping.

"It's guilt by association. I think my parents thought they'd found a community that shared their ideals," the Her actor revealed.

The Family International, formed as the Children of God and later named The Family, is a new religious movement referred to some as a cult. It started in 1968 in Huntington Beach, California, where many of its converts were drawn from the hippie movement.

"When people bring up Children of God, there's always something vaguely accusatory about it. Cults rarely advertise themselves as such ... But I think the moment my parents realized there was something more to it, they got out," he said.

With cults aside, the Inherent Vice actor admits he's somewhat of a coward when it comes to fear.

"I'm a total f--king coward," he revealed. "In some ways that's probably why I'm an actor. I have fear. I've never had the desire to bungee, to jump out of a plane, to zip-line or anything like that. I find it terrifying. I don't think I'm risky in that way. If anything, I've eased off. Four or five years ago I used to ride motorcycles, but you can't really ride without riding fast, and I don't know if that's worth it. It's great fun, but f--k, it's so dangerous. I think I've probably gotten even softer."

Readers: What do you think? Would you ever do the things this Hollywood star's afraid to do? Comment below!

Read more: Comic Con 2014 Rumors: Joaquin Phoenix Reportedly In Talks For Marvel's 'Doctor Strange'