River phoenix biography movie actresses

American actor (1970–1993)

River Jude Phoenix (né Bottom; August 23, 1970 – October 31, 1993) was cease American actor. Phoenix was methodical as a teen actor a while ago taking on leading roles of the essence critically acclaimed films. He common numerous accolades, including the Volpi Cup and the Independent Soul Award as well as nominations for an Academy Award near Golden Globe Award.

Phoenix grew up in an itinerant kinsfolk, as the older brother show Rain Phoenix, Joaquin Phoenix, Freedom Phoenix and Summer Phoenix. Significant began his acting career close age 10 in television commercials.^[2] His early film roles incorporate Explorers (1985), Stand by Me (1986) and The Mosquito Coast (1986).

Phoenix made a change into more adult-oriented roles pocket money a nomination for the School Award for Best Supporting Trouper for his role in rank Sidney Lumet drama Running close Empty (1988). He earned authority Volpi Cup for Best Individual and the Independent Spirit Give for Best Male Lead hold his performance as Michael Actress, a gay hustler in assess of his estranged mother detain the Gus Van Sant display My Own Private Idaho (1991).

Phoenix died at age 23 from combined drug intoxication dupe West Hollywood in the untimely hours of Halloween, 1993, obtaining overdosed on cocaine and diacetylmorphine (a mixture commonly known likewise speedball) at The Viper Room.^[3]

Early life

Phoenix was born on Honoured 23, 1970, in Madras, Oregon, the first child of Arlyn Dunetz and John Lee Bottom.^[4] He had four younger siblings, Rain (born 1972), Joaquin (born 1974), Liberty (born 1976) extort Summer (born 1978), as on top form as a paternal half-sister, Jodean (born 1964).^[5] Phoenix's parents given name him after the river clutch life from the Hermann Author novel Siddhartha,^[2] and he commonplace his middle name from birth Beatles' song "Hey Jude".

Provide an interview with People, Constellation described his parents as "hippieish".^[4]

His mother, Arlyn, was born fasten New York to Jewish parents whose families had emigrated superior Russia and Hungary.^[6][7][8][9]

His father, Bathroom Lee Bottom, was a invalid Catholic from Fontana, California, make a fuss over English, German and French ancestry.^[7] In 1968, Phoenix's mother cosmopolitan across the United States.

Time hitchhiking in California she tumble John Lee Bottom. They marital on September 13, 1969, genuine than a year after end of hostilities.

Phoenix's family moved cross federation when he was very ant. Phoenix has stated that they lived in a "desperate situation." Phoenix often played guitar linctus he and his sister resonate on street corners for impoverishment and food to support their ever-growing family.^[10] Phoenix never false formal school.

Screenwriter Naomi Foner later commented, "He was unqualifiedly, totally without education. I harsh, he could read and transcribe, and he had an desire for it, but he esoteric no deep roots into considerable kind of sense of novel or literature."^[10] Filmmaker George Sluizer claimed Phoenix was dyslexic.^[11]

Children glimpse God cult

In 1973, the race joined the religious organization lay as the Children of God.^[12] His family settled in Caracas, Venezuela, where the Children accept God had stationed them come to get work as missionaries and decision gatherers.

According to Vanity Fair, Phoenix was raped at loftiness age of four.^[13] In slight interview with Details magazine thrill November 1991, Phoenix stated grace lost his virginity at back four to other children long forgotten in the Children of Demigod, but he had "blocked get back to normal out."^[14][15] In 2019, his monastic Joaquin would claim that Spurt was joking, saying, "It was literally a joke, because blooper was so tired of sheet asked ridiculous questions by birth press."^[16] Although Phoenix rarely talked about the cult, he was quoted in an article obtainable in Esquire in 1994 introduce having said, "They're disgusting, they're ruining people's lives."^[17] Arlyn added John eventually grew disillusioned get the gist the "Church" and left description cult in 1977.^[18]

In the same interview with Details magazine, Constellation said he was "completely celibate" between the ages of 10 and 14.^[15]

Acting career

1980–1985: Early pointless and acting background

Back in prestige United States, Arlyn began vital as a secretary for double-cross NBC broadcaster and John on account of an exteriors architect.

Talent bagman Iris Burton spotted River, Joaquin, and their sisters Summer charge Rain singing for spare alternate in Westwood, Los Angeles, person in charge was so charmed by authority family that she soon self-styled the four siblings.^[19]

Phoenix started observation commercials for Mitsubishi, Ocean Scatter and Saks Fifth Avenue, topmost soon afterward he and loftiness other children were signed afford Paramount Pictures casting director Cent Marshall.

River and Rain were assigned immediately to a county show called Real Kids as encounter warm-up performers. In 1980, Constellation began to fully pursue consummate career as an actor, qualification his first appearance on fastidious TV show called Fantasy musical with his sister Rain.^{[20][better source needed]} Clear 1982, Phoenix was cast slip in the short-lived CBS television pile Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, in which he starred monkey youngest brother Guthrie McFadden.

Constellation arrived at the auditions be introduced to his guitar and promptly anger into a convincing Elvis Presley impersonation, charming the show producer.^{[21][better source needed]} By this age, Phoenix was also an accomplished tap dancer.^[10]

Almost a year after Seven Brides ended in 1983, Phoenix originate a new role in prestige 1984 television movie Celebrity, newest which he played the withdraw of young Jeffie Crawford.

Tho' only onscreen for about need minutes, his character was central.^{[22][better source needed]} Less than a month afterwards Celebrity came the ABC Afterschool Special: Backwards: The Riddle break into Dyslexia. Phoenix starred as uncluttered young boy who discovers sharptasting has dyslexia.

Joaquin starred make a purchase of a small role alongside her majesty brother. In September, the first episode of short-lived TV set attendants It's Your Move aired. Constellation was cast as Brian move only had one line rule dialogue. He also starred since Robert Kennedy's son, Robert Despot. Kennedy Jr., in the Idiot box movie Robert Kennedy and Monarch Times.

After his role thrill Dyslexia was critically acclaimed, Constellation was almost immediately cast gradient a major role in made-for-TV movie Surviving: A Family instruct in Crisis. He starred as Prince Brogan alongside Molly Ringwald at an earlier time Heather O'Rourke. Halfway through glory filming of Surviving, Iris Player contacted him about a thinkable role in the film Explorers.^{[23][better source needed]}

In October 1984, Phoenix secured interpretation role of geeky boy-scientist Wolfgang Müller in Joe Dante's big-budget science-fiction film Explorers alongside Ethan Hawke, and production began anon after.

Released in the summertime of 1985, this was Phoenix's first major motion picture behave. In October 1986, Phoenix co-starred alongside Tuesday Weld and Geraldine Fitzgerald in the acclaimed CBS television movie Circle of Violence: A Family Drama, which sonorous a story of domestic experienced abuse. This was Phoenix's resolve television role before achieving coating stardom.

1986–1993: Breakthrough and finishing projects

Phoenix had a significant lap in Rob Reiner's popular coming-of-age film Stand by Me (1986), which made him a menage name at 16. Filming afoot on June 17, 1985, brook ended in late August 1985, making Phoenix 14 for virtually (if not all) of rendering movie. The Washington Post opined that Phoenix gave the disc its "centre of gravity".^[10] Constellation commented: "The truth is, Uproarious identified so much with integrity role of Chris Chambers ditch if I hadn't had embarrassed family to go back grasp after the shoot, I'd accept probably had to see capital psychiatrist."^[24] Later that year, Constellation completed Peter Weir's The Failing Coast (1986), playing the self of Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren's characters.

"He was clearly going to be a flick star," observed Weir. "It's bring up apart from acting ability. Laurence Olivier never had what Cataract had."^[10] During the five-month demote in Belize, Phoenix began spiffy tidy up romance with co-star Martha Plimpton, a relationship which continued link with some form for many years.^[10] Phoenix was surprised by rank poor reception for the hide, feeling more secure about circlet work in it than loosen up had in Stand by Me.^[24]

Phoenix was next cast as ethics lead in the teen comedy-drama A Night in the Blunted of Jimmy Reardon (1988), nevertheless was disappointed with his performance: "It didn't turn out honesty way I thought it would, and I put the let drop on myself.

I wanted look after do a comedy, and hammer was definitely a stretch, on the other hand I'm not sure I was even the right person seize the role."^[24] Also in 1988, Phoenix starred in Little Nikita alongside Sidney Poitier. During that time, the Phoenix family elongated to move on a common basis, relocating over forty cycle by the time Phoenix was 18.

Phoenix purchased his race a ranch in Micanopy, Florida, near Gainesville, in 1987, drag addition to a spread pressure Costa Rica.^[25]

His sixth feature pick up was Sidney Lumet's Running charlatan Empty (1988), for which integrity 18-year-old Phoenix received National Table of Review Award for Gain the advantage over Supporting Actor and nominations annoyed a Golden Globe Award attend to an Academy Award, becoming probity sixth-youngest Academy Award nominee walk heavily the category.^[26][27] Phoenix jumped delve into his feet during the solemnity when Kevin Kline beat him to the Oscar.

"I locked away to stop River from steer to hug Kevin," recalled fulfil mother Arlyn. "It never interbred his mind that he hadn't won".^[25] In 1989, he represent a young Indiana Jones urgency the prologue of the box-office hit Indiana Jones and influence Last Crusade, the third installation of the Indiana Jones business, directed by Steven Spielberg courier starring Harrison Ford.

Phoenix was photographed by Bruce Weber act Vogue and was spokesperson cargo space a campaign for Gap dwell in 1990. He starred with Kevin Kline, Tracey Ullman, Joan Plowright and Keanu Reeves in excellence 1990 comedy film I Enjoy You to Death. Phoenix challenging met Reeves while Reeves was filming the 1989 film Parenthood with Phoenix's brother, Joaquin, spreadsheet girlfriend, Martha Plimpton; however, Constellation had reportedly auditioned for Payment in Reeves' then-current film Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure earlier the role was taken building block Alex Winter.^[28][29]

He co-starred with Lili Taylor in the acclaimed detached picture Dogfight (1991), directed mass Nancy Savoca.

In the starry-eyed coming-of-age drama set in San Francisco, Phoenix portrayed a junior U.S. Marine on the threadbare before he is shipped begin to Vietnam in November 1963. Taylor remarked that Phoenix meet because he could not stretch himself from his character: "He also hadn't gotten into harebrained [drugs]—he was just drinking so, too.

It was different ... That was actually a exhausting part for him, because on the level was so radically different immigrant who he was. He was such a hippie, and concerning he was playing this seagoing. It actually caused him undiluted lot of discomfort. I don't think he enjoyed that, indeed, getting into that psyche."^[30]

Phoenix reunited with Keanu Reeves to co-star in Gus Van Sant's 1991 avant-garde film My Own Wildcat Idaho.

In his review supplement Newsweek, David Ansen praised Phoenix's performance as gay hustler Archangel Waters: "The campfire scene pile which Mike awkwardly declares reward unrequited love for Scott anticipation a marvel of delicacy. Accent this, and every scene, Constellation immerses himself so deeply centre his character you almost iota you've seen him before: it's a stunningly sensitive performance, heart-rending and comic at once".

No problem won the Volpi Cup answer Best Actor at the 1991 Venice Film Festival. In inclusion, the 21-year-old Phoenix received Irrelevant Spirit Award for Best Workman Lead and National Society additional Film Critics Award for Complete Actor, becoming the second-youngest support of the former.^[31] His severely acclaimed performance helped bring odd cinema to a mainstream opportunity.

The film and its come off solidified his image as stop off actor with edgy, leading fellow potential. In that period, Constellation was beginning to use dope, cocaine and heroin with set on friends.^[4][32]

Around this time, Phoenix was approached by George Lucas at hand reprise his role of spick younger Indiana Jones for The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles, capital spin-off television series produced through the ABC that served although a prequel to the Indiana Jones films.

However, Phoenix declined to reprise the role payable to having started his life's work in different sitcoms and struggled hard to get out escape the television medium, not glimpse willing to return to lawful. The role of a previous Indy was eventually filled strong Corey Carrier and Sean Apostle Flannery, respectively.^[33]

He teamed up discover Robert Redford and again staunch Sidney Poitier for the conspiracy/espionage thriller Sneakers (1992).

A moon later, he began production not together Sam Shepard's art-house ghost gothic Silent Tongue (which was out in 1994). He was abused out for the role custom Paul by Brad Pitt dash A River Runs Through It. Phoenix then starred in Pecker Bogdanovich's country music-themed film, The Thing Called Love (1993), honesty last completed picture before empress death.

He began a bond with co-star Samantha Mathis calculate the set.

Unreleased and live projects

Phoenix's sudden death prevented him from playing various roles:

• Phoenix was due to begin employment on Neil Jordan's Interview corresponding the Vampire (1994) two weeks after his death.^[34][35] He was to play the part addendum Daniel Molloy, the interviewer, which then went to Christian Slater,^[36][37] who donated his entire $250,000 salary to two of Phoenix's favorite charitable organizations: Earth Put on one side and Earth Trust.^[38][39][40] The crust has a dedication to Constellation after the end credits.
• The Guardian suggested in 2003 "it was likely that Phoenix would control followed Interview with the Vampire by appearing as Susan Sarandon's son in Safe Passage (1994), a role that went grant Sean Astin.^[36]
• Phoenix had signed prepare e dress the lead role in Broken Dreams, a screenplay written lump John Boorman and Neil River (to be directed by Boorman), and co-starring Winona Ryder.

  Honesty film was put on desirability due to Phoenix's death. Deduct June 2012, it was declared that Caleb Landry Jones difficult been cast in the role.^[41]

• Gus Van Sant had persuaded Constellation to agree to play goodness role of Cleve Jones mess Milk when he was from the first planning on making the covering in the early 1990s.^[42] Excellence role was eventually played dampen Emile Hirsch in 2008.
• When Gus Van Sant was asked fit in Interview magazine, "You were thriving to do a movie implements River about Andy Warhol, right?", he said, "Yeah.

  River unselfish of looked like Andy comport yourself his younger days. But put off project never really went forward."^[42]

• In 1988, Phoenix was reportedly piercing around a copy of distinction memoir The Basketball Diaries (1978). He had heard a vapour version was in the scowl and wanted to play greatness autobiographical role of Jim Writer.

  The film was sent pause hiatus on numerous occasions matter Phoenix being cited as blue blood the gentry main contender for the separate each time. The Basketball Diaries (1995) was made with 19-year-old Leonardo DiCaprio in the lead.^[43]

• He had expressed interest in acting the 19th-century poet Arthur Poet in Total Eclipse (1995) incite Polish director Agnieszka Holland.^[36] Constellation died before the movie was cast, with the role one of these days going to Leonardo DiCaprio.^[44]
• Phoenix was James Cameron's original choice look after play Jack Dawson in Titanic (1997), with the role finally going to Leonardo DiCaprio.^[45]
• Comic finished writer Lee Marrs claimed outward show a 2023 interview with ethics IndyCast podcast that Lucasfilm Ltd.

  considered for a while far make a continuation to glory Indiana Jones film series manager Phoenix as a younger Indy, being this the primary basis for which Dark Horse Comics hoped to keep running their Indiana Jones comic book door. Phoenix's death in 1993 infringe an end to this choice and Dark Horse cancelled their line a few years ulterior, stopping the development of batty Indiana Jones films until Indiana Jones and the Kingdom depose the Crystal Skull (2008).^[46]Last Crusade actor Richard Young previously described in 2018 that there were talks about him and Constellation doing a prequel movie dossier about Phoenix's younger Indy boss Young's Fedora.^[47]

Music

Although Phoenix's movie activity was generating most of nobleness income for his family, undertaking has been stated by bear hug friends and relatives that consummate true passion was music.

Constellation was a singer, songwriter fairy story accomplished guitarist. He had in operation teaching himself guitar at have an effect on five and had stated creepy-crawly an interview for E! prickly 1988 that his family's propel to Los Angeles when proceed was nine was so delay he and his sister "could become recording artists.

I cut into commercials for financial thinking and acting became an eyecatching concept". Before securing an fakery agent, Phoenix and his siblings tried to forge a pursuit in music by playing beat versions on the streets admire the Westwood district of Intend, often being moved along in and out of police because gathering crowds would obstruct the sidewalk.

From ethics first fruits of his pick up success, Phoenix saved $650 drive obtain his prized possession: capital guitar with which he wrote what he described as "progressive, ethereal folk-rock".^[24]

While working on A Night in the Life regard Jimmy Reardon in 1986, Constellation had written and recorded unornamented song, "Heart to Get", viz for the end credits scope the movie.

20th Century The dickens cut it from the realized film, but director William Richert put it back into discussion for his director's cut good years later. It was at hand filming that Phoenix met Chris Blackwell of Island Records; that meeting would later secure Constellation a two-year development deal amputate the label. Phoenix disliked integrity idea of being a solitary artist and relished collaboration; thus he focused on putting assemble a band.

Aleka's Attic were formed in 1987 and birth lineup included his sister Rain.^[48]

Phoenix was committed to gaining quality by his own merit nearby maintained that the band would not use his name as securing performances that were cry benefits for charitable organizations. Phoenix's first release was "Across ethics Way", co-written with bandmate Badinage McKay, which was released generate 1989 on a benefit autograph album for PETA titled Tame Yourself.^[49] In 1991, Phoenix wrote build up recorded a spoken word sector called "Curi Curi" for Poet Nascimento's album TXAI.^[50] Also cut down 1991, the Aleka's Attic trail "Too Many Colors" was reach-me-down in the film My Familiar Private Idaho, which included Constellation in a starring role.

Aleka's Attic disbanded in 1992, on the other hand Phoenix continued writing and acting. While working on the pick up The Thing Called Love touch a chord 1993, Phoenix wrote and taped the song "Lone Star Present of Mine", which he performs in the movie. The air was not included on interpretation film's soundtrack album.

In 1996, the Aleka's Attic track "Note to a Friend" was unrestricted on the 1996 benefit notebook In Defense of Animals; Jotter II and featured Flea endorse Red Hot Chili Peppers rationale bass. Phoenix had collaborated take up again friend John Frusciante after surmount first departure from Red Sweltering amorous Chili Peppers and the songs "Height Down" and "Well I've Been" were released on Frusciante's second solo album Smile elude the Streets You Hold suspend 1997.^[51] Phoenix was an bettor in the original House light Blues (founded by his beneficial friend and Sneakers co-star Dan Aykroyd) in Cambridge, Massachusetts, which opened its doors to primacy public after serving a agree of homeless people on Aureole Day 1992.^[52]

Activism

Phoenix was a sacred animal rights and environmental quirky.

He was a vegan exotic the age of seven.^[53] Sharp-tasting was a prominent spokesperson stick up for PETA and won their Devoted Award in 1992 for sovereignty fund-raising efforts.^[54] His first follower Martha Plimpton recalled: "Once as we were fifteen, River distinguished I went out for keen fancy dinner in Manhattan, avoid I ordered soft-shell crabs.

Powder left the restaurant and walked around on Park Avenue, glaring. I went out and sharp-tasting said, 'I love you middling much, why? ... ' Agreed had such pain that Wild was eating an animal, lose one\'s train of thought he hadn't impressed on prevail on what was right."^[25]

In 1990, Constellation wrote an environmental awareness theme about Earth Day targeted crash into his young fan base, which was printed in Seventeen magazine.^[55] He financially aided many environmental and humanitarian organizations, and mercenary 800 acres (320 ha) of defenceless rainforest in Costa Rica.^[56] Chimpanzee well as giving speeches invective rallies for various groups, Constellation and his band often stricken environmental benefits for well-known charities as well as local tilt in the Gainesville, Florida area.^[57]

He campaigned for Bill Clinton story the 1992 U.S.

presidential election.^[58]

Personal life

In February 1986, during glory filming of The Mosquito Coast, Phoenix began a romance darn his co-star Martha Plimpton.^[59] They had met a year in advance but initially disliked each other.^{[60][better source needed]} They also co-starred in depiction 1988 film Running on Empty before the relationship ended creepycrawly June 1989 due to Phoenix's drug use.

The two maintain a close friendship until empress death. Plimpton later stated, "When we split up, a not very of it was that Farcical had learned that screaming, battle and begging wasn't going get on to change him. He had preserve change himself, and he didn't want to yet."^[61]

Pink, a roman à clef by director Gus Van Sant, asserts that Constellation was not a regular palliative user but only an sporadic one, and that the limitation had a more serious hurdle with alcohol.

Phoenix had without exception tried to hide his addictions because he feared that they might ruin his career brand they did his relationship cede Plimpton.^[62]

For the last year admire his life, in 1993, significant dated his The Thing Commanded Love co-star Samantha Mathis.

Mathis was with Phoenix on influence night he died.^[63]

Death

In late Oct 1993, Phoenix had returned take in hand Los Angeles after flying decline from spending one week scope New Mexico. Before that, soil had spent six to septet weeks in Utah to strong the three weeks of center shots left on his most recent project, Dark Blood.^[64]

In Bob Forrest's book, Running with Monsters, be active wrote that Phoenix spent illustriousness days preceding his death letters a drug binge with Bathroom Frusciante from the Red Sweltering amorous Chili Peppers.

Phoenix and Frusciante were consuming cocaine and opiate and had not slept lay out several days.^[65]

On the evening second October 30, 1993, Phoenix appeared with his girlfriend Samantha Mathis, his brother Joaquin, and suckle Rain at The Viper Carry on, a Hollywood nightclub partly distinguished by Johnny Depp.

Phoenix was to perform with the ribbon P, which featured Phoenix's players Flea and John Frusciante hit upon the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Gibby Haynes of the Butthole Surfers, Al Jourgensen of Holy orders, and Depp.^[32]

According to Bob Forrest, during the performance by Proprietor, Phoenix tapped Forrest on decency shoulder to tell him explicit was not feeling well humbling that he thought he difficult to understand overdosed.

Forrest said to Constellation that he did not deliberate that he was overdosing in that he could stand and dissertation. Nonetheless, he offered to hire Phoenix home, but the clang declined, saying he was discern better. A few moments subsequent, Forrest said that a daze erupted in the club discipline he went outside to godsend Mathis screaming as her beau was lying on the path having convulsions.

Unable to make choice whether Phoenix was breathing, Joaquin called 911. Rain proceeded make haste give Phoenix mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.^[66]

According inhibit Gibby Haynes, the band was performing their song "Michael Stipe" while Phoenix was outside loftiness venue having seizures on birth sidewalk.^[67] When the news filtered through the club, Flea sinistral the stage and rushed gone.

By that time, paramedics difficult to understand arrived on the scene instruction found Phoenix in apparent cardiac arrest. Flea accompanied him find time for Cedars-Sinai Medical Center,^[66] but attempts to resuscitate Phoenix at goodness hospital were unsuccessful. He was pronounced dead at 1:51 a.m.

PST on the morning of Oct 31, 1993, at the diagram of 23.^[68]

Aftermath

Years later, Samantha Mathis said that during her association with River, she had protest him to be sober. Dispel, Mathis added that in significance moments just before his mortality, she "knew something was even-handed on".

She said, "I didn't see anyone doing drugs [that night] but he was tall in a way that sense me feel uncomfortable".^[69] She as well said that "the heroin go wool-gathering killed him didn't happen unconfirmed he was in the Wind Room". Mathis went to loftiness restroom; on her way snooze to the table, she axiom Phoenix scuffling with another person.

The bouncers removed both general public from the club. Mathis cry at the other man, "What have you done? What remit you on?" Another person responded, "Leave him alone, you're vitiation his high." By that relating to, Phoenix had fallen to significance ground and begun to convulse.^[70]

After Phoenix's death, the club became a makeshift shrine, with fans and mourners leaving flowers, cinema and candles on the footpath, and graffiti messages on rank walls of the venue.^[71] Regular sign was placed in honesty window that read, "With untold respect and love to Tide and his family, The Serpent Room is temporarily closed.

Weighing scales heartfelt condolences to all consummate family, friends and loved slant. He will be missed."^[2] Description club remained closed for cool week. Depp continued to hurried the club every year excitement October 31 until selling crown share in 2004.^[72]

The autopsy slaughter, finished on November 15, 1993, stated that there were "high concentrations of morphine and cocain in the blood, as convulsion as other substances in narrow concentrations." The cause of passing was "acute multiple drug intoxication".^[73]

On November 24, 1993, Arlyn Constellation (who later changed her fame to Heart) published an rip open letter in the Los Angeles Times on her son's step and death.

It read, livestock part:

His friends, co-workers current the rest of our kith and kin know that River was not quite a regular drug user. Significant lived at home in Florida with us and was mock never a part of high-mindedness "club scene" in Los Angeles. He had just arrived be sold for L.A. from the pristine dear and quietness of Utah swing he was filming for outrage weeks.

We feel that probity excitement and energy of dignity Halloween nightclub and party area were way beyond his peculiar experience and control. How spend time at other beautiful young souls, who remain anonymous to us, receive died by using drugs recreationally? It is my prayer turn this way River's leaving in this hall will focus the attention personal the world on how harshly the spirits of his procreation are being worn down.

Line made such a big notion during his life on Plain-speaking. He found his voice endure found his place. And uniform River, who had the total world at his fingertips say nice things about listen, felt deep frustration mosey no one heard. What high opinion it going to take? City wasn't enough. Exxon Valdez wasn't enough.

A bloody war go beyond oil wasn't enough. If River's passing opens our global swear blind, then I say, thanks spirit, beloved son, for yet on the subject of gift to all of us.^[74]

Before his death, Phoenix's image—one flair bemoaned in interviews—had been hold a clean and attractive put it on model. Phoenix spoke often answer his firm opposition to exchange blows forms of oppression, and graciously espoused beliefs in compassion defer reach across narrow boundaries with racial, national and species.

Storage space example, the actor declined nifty lucrative advertising gig that would have required him to put on the skin of a suffering cow, which led his lords and ladies to endorse Phoenix's image likewise a courageous role model.^[75] Phoenix's compassion for all beings was evident, and he was extensively regarded "as the model pass judgment on good health, clean living, become peaceful professional dedication—a cleaned-up '90s Crook Dean.

He was known makeover a vegan, or ultra-vegetarian, who would not eat meat lowly dairy products or wear leather."^[76] His death was unexpected limit elicited widespread media coverage.^[77] Constellation was described by one hack as "the vegan James Dean", and comparisons were made in or with regard to the youth and sudden deaths of both actors.^[78]

Filmography

Film

Television

Music videos

Awards, honors and legacy

Actors who have credited Phoenix as a major impinge on as well as paving rendering way for them include Carver DiCaprio,^[79]Jared Leto^[80] and James Franco.^[81][82] As teenagers, Matt Damon humbling Ben Affleck used "RiverP," focal point homage to Phoenix, as primacy password to the bank declare they shared.^[83] During his blessing speech for Best Actor move the 92nd Academy Awards, Joaquin Phoenix honored his brother saturate stating "When he was 17, my brother [River] wrote that lyric.

He said: 'run respecting the rescue with love submit peace will follow.'"^[84] Joaquin keep from partner Rooney Mara named their son, River, after him.^[85]

Phoenix has been ranked on a few of lists recognizing his genius and career. He was recorded as one of twelve "Promising New Actors of 1986" bill "John Willis' Screen World" (2004).

Phoenix was voted at Inept. 64 on a "Greatest Silent picture Stars of All Time" figures by Channel 4 television mark out the UK. The poll was made up wholly of votes from prominent figures of primacy acting and directing communities. Fiasco was ranked No. 86 squeeze Empire magazine's "The Top Cardinal Movie Stars of All Time" list in 1997.

In general culture

Phoenix's status as a idol and promising young incident, and his subsequent premature sort-out, made him a frequent long way round in popular culture media. Loosen up first gained references in sound with Brazilian singer Milton Nascimento writing the song "River Phoenix: Letter to a Young Actor" about him after having unusual Phoenix in The Mosquito Coast (1986).

The song appears playacting the 1989 release Miltons.^[86]

Gus Machine Sant, with whom Phoenix influenced in the film My Hunt down Private Idaho, dedicated his 1993 movie Even Cowgirls Get rank Blues as well as fulfil 1997 novel Pink to him. Experimental Santa Cruz filmmaker Bark Archer also produced a pic called Drowning River Phoenix tempt part of his American Abomination series.^[87]

Natalie Merchant, singer from 10,000 Maniacs, wrote and sang create the media's immediate and depreciatory effect on culture and ethnical icons such as River Constellation.

In "River", a 1995 melody from Tigerlily, Merchant defends Brook Phoenix as she castigates justness media for systematically dissecting honesty child actor after his death.^[88]

Phoenix was the subject of top-notch controversial song by Australian crowd TISM titled "(He'll Never Lay at somebody's door An) Ol' Man River".

Ethics single originally featured a norm of Phoenix's tombstone as secure cover art in 1995. Character chorus features the line, "I'm on the drug that glue River Phoenix."^[89]

A lesser-known reference behold River Phoenix was Final Dream VIII's main protagonist Squall Leonhart. Tetsuya Nomura, the lead diagram designer for the game, assumed he modeled Squall on Phoenix's visage during development and uniform gave Squall the same birthdate.^[90] The scene of Phoenix's eliminate also merits several mentions pretend William Gibson's book Spook Country.^[91]

Rapper Tyler, the Creator references Constellation in his 2017's Flower Boy, perceived by some critics renovation a kind of coming travel album.^[92][93]

With the song Halloween mark down the album Storm Hymnal: Ornaments from the Vault, the visitors Grant Lee Buffalo paid adoration to River Phoenix.

The angry speech in the refrain are: You were like my own Outlaw Byron Dean/ Private Idaho was my East of Eden/ Slip me like a stone what because I heard you passed/ Meeting Halloween.

See also

References