River Phoenix had an unorthodox upbringing and began performing on the streets and in talent shows with his siblings when he was a small child. When he started to gain attention for his musical abilities, his family moved to California to try to make it in Hollywood. Phoenix’s first role was Guthrie McFadden in the popular television show “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.”
On Oct. 31, 1993, River Phoenix's life was tragically cut short when he died of a drug overdose at 23. Despite his young age, Phoenix already had an Oscar nomination, several impressive films under his belt and a promising career ahead of him. Look back at his life and the impressive legacy that lives on through his films.
River Phoenix had an unorthodox upbringing and began performing on the streets and in talent shows with his siblings when he was a small child. When he started to gain attention for his musical abilities, his family moved to California to try to make it in Hollywood. Phoenix’s first role was Guthrie McFadden in the popular television show “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.”
Before Phoenix’s family moved to California, his parents John and Arlyn were missionaries for the controversial religious cult Children of God. They became disillusioned with the cult after a few years when they realized that the cult’s leader was exploiting its members using sex and drugs. River rarely spoke of that time in his life, saying that he had blocked it out, but the abuse he suffered during those years undoubtedly affected him for the rest of his life. Author Gavin Edwards explored Phoenix’s life in the 2013 biography “Last Night at the Viper Room.”
River Phoenix’s first film was the 1985 children’s sci-fi adventure “Explorers.” Phoenix starred alongside Ethan Hawke in the movie, and while the two young actors became friends, Hawke spoke later in life about how competitive he felt toward Phoenix.
River Phoenix’s most famous role was Chris Chambers (2-L) in the 1986 blockbuster hit “Stand by Me.” The film gained widespread popularity and helped establish Phoenix as a household name. He starred alongside Will Wheaton, Jerry O’Connell and Corey Feldman.
Phoenix’s breakthrough role was praised by people all throughout Hollywood and jumpstarted his meteoric rise to fame. “Stand by Me” is based on a novella by Stephen King, and tells the coming-of-age tale of four young friends who are searching for the dead body of a boy their age.
While “Stand by Me” might be Phoenix’s most remembered film, his performance in “Running on Empty” earned him an Oscar nomination. His girlfriend in the film was played by Martha Plimpton. She and Phoenix later began dating in real life.
River Phoenix brought his girlfriend Martha Plimpton along with him as his date to the 61st Annual Academy Awards on March 29, 1989. Phoenix was a very private person, and while he appreciated his success, fame made him uncomfortable. When asked by a reporter at the Oscars if he enjoyed the hype of the event he responded, “No, that really means nothing to me. It’s more of the history of the awards that makes it so special for me.”
River Phoenix was an avid activist for animal rights and was a spokesperson for PETA. The actor, who was a vegan, was once quoted saying, “When I was old enough to realize all meat was killed, I saw it as an irrational way of using our power, to take a weaker thing and mutilate it. It was like the way bullies would take control of younger kids in the schoolyard.”
River Phoenix grew up with five siblings, the most famous of them being Oscar-winning actor Joaquin Phoenix. River is pictured here in New York City with a young Joaquin (L) and his mother in 1988.
Very active in the fight for animal rights, Phoenix did a lot of work with PETA including appearing in ads and commercials. He is pictured here with Kevin Bacon and Martha Plimpton at PETA’s “Rock Against Fur” benefit concert on Feb. 18, 1989, in New York City.
In 1991, Phoenix shed his youthful Hollywood heartthrob image when he was cast in his most adult film yet, Gus Van Sant’s “My Own Private Idaho” opposite Keanu Reeves. Phoenix played a prostitute who suffered from narcolepsy and fell in love with his male best friend. Phoenix was praised for his acting chops in the film and won several awards.
While River Phoenix was one of the brightest Hollywood stars of his time, his true passion was music. “Music is a hobby, because I’m not making any money out of it, but I put just as much conviction into that as I do into my acting,” he said. Phoenix formed the band Aleka’s Attic with his sister Rain.
Phoenix’s tragic death came in the middle of filming his final movie “Dark Blood” in 1993. The film, at the time, was not finished. Nineteen years later when director George Sluizer unearthed footage and included voice overs to account for the scenes that were not filmed, it premiered on Sept. 27, 2012 at the Netherlands Film Festival.
At only 23, River Phoenix’s life was tragically cut short when he died of a drug overdose outside of the famed Hollywood club The Viper Room on Oct. 31, 1993. By that age, Phoenix already had an Oscar nomination, several impressive films under his belt and a very promising career ahead of him. Although his full potential in Hollywood was never fully realized, he left behind an impressive and celebrated legacy through his films.
On the tragic night of River Phoenix’s death, he was at the popular Hollywood hangout spot The Viper Room, which was partly owned by Johnny Depp. Phoenix suffered an overdose and collapsed outside the club while with his siblings Joaquin and Rain. He was rushed to the hospital, but attempts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful. His short life left a void in Hollywood, but his legacy lives on through his films, music and activism work.
