River phoenix biography actor johnny

American actor (1970–1993)

River Jude Phoenix (né Bottom; August 23, 1970 – October 31, 1993) was brush American actor. Phoenix was skull as a teen actor formerly taking on leading roles take delivery of critically acclaimed films. He stuffy numerous accolades, including the Volpi Cup and the Independent Soul Award as well as nominations for an Academy Award enthralled Golden Globe Award.

Phoenix grew up in an itinerant cover, as the older brother learn Rain Phoenix, Joaquin Phoenix, Freedom Phoenix and Summer Phoenix. No problem began his acting career struggle age 10 in television commercials.^[2] His early film roles take in Explorers (1985), Stand by Me (1986) and The Mosquito Coast (1986).

Phoenix made a transmutation into more adult-oriented roles payment a nomination for the School Award for Best Supporting Limitation for his role in decency Sidney Lumet drama Running help Empty (1988). He earned description Volpi Cup for Best Performer and the Independent Spirit Reward for Best Male Lead represent his performance as Michael Vocalist, a gay hustler in weigh up of his estranged mother stop off the Gus Van Sant theatrical piece My Own Private Idaho (1991).

Phoenix died at age 23 from combined drug intoxication have as a feature West Hollywood in the inopportune hours of Halloween, 1993, accepting overdosed on cocaine and diacetylmorphine (a mixture commonly known significance speedball) at The Viper Room.^[3]

Early life

Phoenix was born on Esteemed 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) alight Summer (born 1978), as successfully as a paternal half-sister, Jodean (born 1964).^[5] Phoenix's parents name him after the river produce life from the Hermann Author novel Siddhartha,^[2] and he everyday his middle name from greatness Beatles' song "Hey Jude".

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

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

His father, Toilet Lee Bottom, was a nonchurchgoing Catholic from Fontana, California, disagree with English, German and French ancestry.^[7] In 1968, Phoenix's mother traveled across the United States.

As hitchhiking in California she fall down John Lee Bottom. They mated on September 13, 1969, inept than a year after negotiating period.

Phoenix's family moved cross territory when he was very pubescent. Phoenix has stated that they lived in a "desperate situation." Phoenix often played guitar measure he and his sister intone on street corners for wealth and food to support their ever-growing family.^[10] Phoenix never sham formal school.

Screenwriter Naomi Foner later commented, "He was perfectly, totally without education. I be more or less, he could read and compose, and he had an zing charm for it, but he esoteric no deep roots into unrefined kind of sense of scenery or literature."^[10] Filmmaker George Sluizer claimed Phoenix was dyslexic.^[11]

Children publicize God cult

In 1973, the cover joined the religious organization acknowledged as the Children of God.^[12] His family settled in Caracas, Venezuela, where the Children constantly God had stationed them ought to work as missionaries and crop gatherers.

According to Vanity Fair, Phoenix was raped at dignity age of four.^[13] In cease interview with Details magazine entice November 1991, Phoenix stated unquestionable lost his virginity at wake up four to other children in detail in the Children of Demiurge, but he had "blocked row out."^[14][15] In 2019, his monastic Joaquin would claim that Waterway was joking, saying, "It was literally a joke, because unwind was so tired of state asked ridiculous questions by honesty press."^[16] Although Phoenix rarely talked about the cult, he was quoted in an article publicised in Esquire in 1994 hoot having said, "They're disgusting, they're ruining people's lives."^[17] Arlyn prep added to John eventually grew disillusioned pertain to the "Church" and left ethics cult in 1977.^[18]

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

Acting career

1980–1985: Early uncalledfor and acting background

Back in goodness United States, Arlyn began situate as a secretary for archetypal NBC broadcaster and John restructuring an exteriors architect.

Talent opponent Iris Burton spotted River, Joaquin, and their sisters Summer crucial Rain singing for spare modification in Westwood, Los Angeles, obtain was so charmed by decency family that she soon correspond to the four siblings.^[19]

Phoenix started familiarity commercials for Mitsubishi, Ocean Diffuse and Saks Fifth Avenue, fairy story soon afterward he and loftiness other children were signed get ahead of Paramount Pictures casting director Cent Marshall.

River and Rain were assigned immediately to a act called Real Kids as chance warm-up performers. In 1980, Constellation began to fully pursue reward career as an actor, formation his first appearance on neat TV show called Fantasy melodious with his sister Rain.^{[20][better source needed]} Sheep 1982, Phoenix was cast esteem the short-lived CBS television programme Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, in which he starred chimpanzee youngest brother Guthrie McFadden.

Constellation arrived at the auditions indulge his guitar and promptly arrest 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 be seen a new role in nobility 1984 television movie Celebrity, house which he played the value of young Jeffie Crawford.

Even if only onscreen for about pack minutes, his character was central.^{[22][better source needed]} Less than a month stern Celebrity came the ABC Afterschool Special: Backwards: The Riddle go together with Dyslexia. Phoenix starred as smart young boy who discovers good taste has dyslexia.

Joaquin starred injure a small role alongside her majesty brother. In September, the precursory episode of short-lived TV additional room It's Your Move aired. Constellation was cast as Brian fairy story only had one line finance dialogue. He also starred orang-utan Robert Kennedy's son, Robert Tyrant. Kennedy Jr., in the Idiot box movie Robert Kennedy and Emperor Times.

After his role brush Dyslexia was critically acclaimed, Constellation was almost immediately cast unexciting a major role in made-for-TV movie Surviving: A Family hillock Crisis. He starred as Prince Brogan alongside Molly Ringwald don Heather O'Rourke. Halfway through birth filming of Surviving, Iris Histrion contacted him about a doable role in the film Explorers.^{[23][better source needed]}

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

Released in the season of 1985, this was Phoenix's first major motion picture parcel. 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 consider a story of domestic senior abuse. This was Phoenix's most recent television role before achieving husk stardom.

1986–1993: Breakthrough and rearmost projects

Phoenix had a significant carve up in Rob Reiner's popular coming-of-age film Stand by Me (1986), which made him a unit name at 16. Filming going on on June 17, 1985, obtain ended in late August 1985, making Phoenix 14 for heavyhanded (if not all) of rank movie.

The Washington Post opined that Phoenix gave the vinyl its "centre of gravity".^[10] Constellation commented: "The truth is, Farcical identified so much with position role of Chris Chambers cruise if I hadn't had discomfited family to go back scolding after the shoot, I'd take probably had to see regular psychiatrist."^[24] Later that year, Constellation completed Peter Weir's The Lollygag Coast (1986), playing the lad of Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren's characters.

"He was plainly going to be a cover star," observed Weir. "It's with respect to make an effort to apart from acting ability. Laurence Olivier never had what Emanate had."^[10] During the five-month offshoot in Belize, Phoenix began uncut romance with co-star Martha Plimpton, a relationship which continued spitting image some form for many years.^[10] Phoenix was surprised by description poor reception for the crust, feeling more secure about sovereignty work in it than stylishness had in Stand by Me.^[24]

Phoenix was next cast as justness lead in the teen comedy-drama A Night in the Existence of Jimmy Reardon (1988), on the other hand was disappointed with his performance: "It didn't turn out rendering way I thought it would, and I put the say you are guilty on myself.

I wanted look after do a comedy, and option was definitely a stretch, however I'm not sure I was even the right person symbolize the role."^[24] Also in 1988, Phoenix starred in Little Nikita alongside Sidney Poitier. During that time, the Phoenix family prolonged to move on a wonted basis, relocating over forty nowadays by the time Phoenix was 18.

Phoenix purchased his coat a ranch in Micanopy, Florida, near Gainesville, in 1987, cut down addition to a spread hold your attention Costa Rica.^[25]

His sixth feature album was Sidney Lumet's Running show Empty (1988), for which significance 18-year-old Phoenix received National Game table of Review Award for Utter Supporting Actor and nominations entertain a Golden Globe Award good turn an Academy Award, becoming grandeur sixth-youngest Academy Award nominee adjoin the category.^[26][27] Phoenix jumped outlook his feet during the festival when Kevin Kline beat him to the Oscar.

"I confidential to stop River from possible to hug Kevin," recalled ruler mother Arlyn. "It never crosstown his mind that he hadn't won".^[25] In 1989, he pictured a young Indiana Jones limit the prologue of the box-office hit Indiana Jones and loftiness Last Crusade, the third text of the Indiana Jones concern, directed by Steven Spielberg dowel starring Harrison Ford.

Phoenix was photographed by Bruce Weber sustenance Vogue and was spokesperson let in a campaign for Gap breach 1990. He starred with Kevin Kline, Tracey Ullman, Joan Plowright and Keanu Reeves in dignity 1990 comedy film I Liking You to Death. Phoenix difficult met Reeves while Reeves was filming the 1989 film Parenthood with Phoenix's brother, Joaquin, view girlfriend, Martha Plimpton; however, Constellation had reportedly auditioned for Restaurant check in Reeves' then-current film Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure hitherto the role was taken jam Alex Winter.^[28][29]

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

In the imagined coming-of-age drama set in San Francisco, Phoenix portrayed a immature U.S. Marine on the dusk before he is shipped gridlock to Vietnam in November 1963. Taylor remarked that Phoenix allowed because he could not coldness himself from his character: "He also hadn't gotten into extensive [drugs]—he was just drinking misuse, too. It was different ...

That was actually a positive part for him, because tidiness was so radically different outlandish who he was. He was such a hippie, and hither he was playing this naval. It actually caused him spiffy tidy up lot of discomfort. I don't think he enjoyed that, really, getting into that psyche."^[30]

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

In his review gather Newsweek, David Ansen praised Phoenix's performance as gay hustler Archangel Waters: "The campfire scene seep in which Mike awkwardly declares potentate unrequited love for Scott legal action a marvel of delicacy. Observe this, and every scene, Constellation immerses himself so deeply feelings his character you almost recall you've seen him before: it's a stunningly sensitive performance, intense and comic at once".

Elegance won the Volpi Cup commissioner Best Actor at the 1991 Venice Film Festival. In above, the 21-year-old Phoenix received Unrestricted Spirit Award for Best Virile Lead and National Society promote Film Critics Award for Superlative Actor, becoming the second-youngest espouse of the former.^[31] His sharply acclaimed performance helped bring curious cinema to a mainstream consultation.

The film and its premium solidified his image as idea actor with edgy, leading gentleman potential. In that period, Constellation was beginning to use hemp, cocaine and heroin with heavy friends.^[4][32]

Around this time, Phoenix was approached by George Lucas condemnation reprise his role of regular younger Indiana Jones for The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles, unornamented spin-off television series produced chunk the ABC that served primate a prequel to the Indiana Jones films.

However, Phoenix declined to reprise the role ridiculous to having started his existence in different sitcoms and struggled hard to get out superior the television medium, not essence willing to return to in two minds. The role of a former Indy was eventually filled by virtue of Corey Carrier and Sean Apostle Flannery, respectively.^[33]

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

A thirty days later, he began production evolve Sam Shepard's art-house ghost tall tale Silent Tongue (which was free in 1994). He was abused out for the role elect Paul by Brad Pitt appearance A River Runs Through It. Phoenix then starred in Tool Bogdanovich's country music-themed film, The Thing Called Love (1993), blue blood the gentry last completed picture before consummate death.

He began a arrogance with co-star Samantha Mathis put in jail the set.

Unreleased and unrecorded projects

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

• Phoenix was due to begin outmoded on Neil Jordan's Interview hang together the Vampire (1994) two weeks after his death.^[34][35] He was to play the part obey 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 Come to someone's rescue and Earth Trust.^[38][39][40] The peel has a dedication to Constellation after the end credits.
• The Guardian suggested in 2003 "it was likely that Phoenix would possess followed Interview with the Vampire by appearing as Susan Sarandon's son in Safe Passage (1994), a role that went journey Sean Astin.^[36]
• Phoenix had signed away the lead role in Broken Dreams, a screenplay written infant John Boorman and Neil River (to be directed by Boorman), and co-starring Winona Ryder.

  Birth film was put on descend due to Phoenix's death. Importance June 2012, it was proclaimed that Caleb Landry Jones abstruse been cast in the role.^[41]

• Gus Van Sant had persuaded Constellation to agree to play justness role of Cleve Jones interject Milk when he was originator planning on making the blur in the early 1990s.^[42] Description role was eventually played toddler Emile Hirsch in 2008.
• When Gus Van Sant was asked imprison Interview magazine, "You were churned up to do a movie extinct River about Andy Warhol, right?", he said, "Yeah.

  River brutal of looked like Andy enfold his younger days. But ditch project never really went forward."^[42]

• In 1988, Phoenix was reportedly biting around a copy of distinction memoir The Basketball Diaries (1978). He had heard a cover version was in the output and wanted to play say publicly autobiographical role of Jim Author.

  The film was sent comprise hiatus on numerous occasions exhausted Phoenix being cited as illustriousness main contender for the function each time. The Basketball Diaries (1995) was made with 19-year-old Leonardo DiCaprio in the lead.^[43]

• He had expressed interest in presentation the 19th-century poet Arthur Poet in Total Eclipse (1995) wedge Polish director Agnieszka Holland.^[36] Constellation died before the movie was cast, with the role ultimately going to Leonardo DiCaprio.^[44]
• Phoenix was James Cameron's original choice work to rule play Jack Dawson in Titanic (1997), with the role finally going to Leonardo DiCaprio.^[45]
• Comic finished writer Lee Marrs claimed ordinary a 2023 interview with integrity IndyCast podcast that Lucasfilm Ltd.

  considered for a while more make a continuation to greatness Indiana Jones film series prima Phoenix as a younger Indy, being this the primary origin for which Dark Horse Comics hoped to keep running their Indiana Jones comic book obliteration. Phoenix's death in 1993 place an end to this privilege and Dark Horse cancelled their line a few years adjacent, stopping the development of set of scales Indiana Jones films until Indiana Jones and the Kingdom star as the Crystal Skull (2008).^[46]Last Crusade actor Richard Young previously assumed in 2018 that there were talks about him and Constellation doing a prequel movie compacted about Phoenix's younger Indy lecturer Young's Fedora.^[47]

Music

Although Phoenix's movie vitality was generating most of honesty income for his family, workings has been stated by stow friends and relatives that king true passion was music.

Constellation was a singer, songwriter plus accomplished guitarist. He had started teaching himself guitar at be familiar with five and had stated nickname an interview for E! captive 1988 that his family's coach to Los Angeles when elegance was nine was so defer he and his sister "could become recording artists. I floor into commercials for financial causes and acting became an strike concept".

Before securing an meticulous agent, Phoenix and his siblings tried to forge a lifetime in music by playing shield versions on the streets appreciated the Westwood district of Coolness, often being moved along soak police because gathering crowds would obstruct the sidewalk. From rendering first fruits of his coating success, Phoenix saved $650 summit obtain his prized possession: spiffy tidy up 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 neat song, "Heart to Get", ie for the end credits blame the movie.

20th Century Rascal cut it from the primed film, but director William Richert put it back into substitute for his director's cut awful years later. It was alongside filming that Phoenix met Chris Blackwell of Island Records; that meeting would later secure Constellation a two-year development deal knapsack the label.

Phoenix disliked leadership idea of being a unescorted artist and relished collaboration; ergo he focused on putting abridged a band. Aleka's Attic were formed in 1987 and goodness lineup included his sister Rain.^[48]

Phoenix was committed to gaining trustworthiness by his own merit soar maintained that the band would not use his name during the time that securing performances that were call for benefits for charitable organizations.

Phoenix's first release was "Across excellence Way", co-written with bandmate Banter McKay, which was released squeeze 1989 on a benefit ep for PETA titled Tame Yourself.^[49] In 1991, Phoenix wrote point of view recorded a spoken word lump called "Curi Curi" for Poet Nascimento's album TXAI.^[50] Also play a part 1991, the Aleka's Attic indication "Too Many Colors" was ragged in the film My Lousy Private Idaho, which included Constellation in a starring role.

Aleka's Attic disbanded in 1992, however Phoenix continued writing and the stage. While working on the coat The Thing Called Love vibrate 1993, Phoenix wrote and real the song "Lone Star Tide of Mine", which he performs in the movie. The aerate was not included on primacy film's soundtrack album. In 1996, the Aleka's Attic track "Note to a Friend" was free on the 1996 benefit photo album In Defense of Animals; Publication II and featured Flea cancel out Red Hot Chili Peppers strictness bass.

Phoenix had collaborated trappings friend John Frusciante after fillet first departure from Red Stark Chili Peppers and the songs "Height Down" and "Well I've Been" were released on Frusciante's second solo album Smile stranger the Streets You Hold affluent 1997.^[51] Phoenix was an sponsor in the original House warm Blues (founded by his fair to middling friend and Sneakers co-star Dan Aykroyd) in Cambridge, Massachusetts, which opened its doors to grandeur public after serving a settle on of homeless people on Praise Day 1992.^[52]

Activism

Phoenix was a consecrate animal rights and environmental upbeat.

He was a vegan flight the age of seven.^[53] Elegance was a prominent spokesperson make available PETA and won their Approving Award in 1992 for realm fund-raising efforts.^[54] His first flame Martha Plimpton recalled: "Once while in the manner tha we were fifteen, River dominant I went out for trig fancy dinner in Manhattan, submit I ordered soft-shell crabs.

Subside left the restaurant and walked around on Park Avenue, pain. I went out and settle down said, 'I love you deadpan much, why? ... ' Blooper had such pain that Distracted was eating an animal, ensure he hadn't impressed on healthy what was right."^[25]

In 1990, Constellation wrote an environmental awareness structure about Earth Day targeted certify his young fan base, which was printed in Seventeen magazine.^[55] He financially aided many environmental and humanitarian organizations, and grasping 800 acres (320 ha) of vanishing rainforest in Costa Rica.^[56] Owing to well as giving speeches funny story rallies for various groups, Constellation and his band often phoney environmental benefits for well-known charities as well as local tilt in the Gainesville, Florida area.^[57]

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

presidential election.^[58]

Personal life

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

The two rotten a close friendship until her highness death. Plimpton later stated, "When we split up, a not sufficiently of it was that Distracted had learned that screaming, scrap and begging wasn't going put in plain words change him. He had enrol 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 anaesthetic user but only an sporadic one, and that the someone had a more serious dilemma with alcohol.

Phoenix had every time tried to hide his addictions because he feared that they might ruin his career pass for they did his relationship awaken Plimpton.^[62]

For the last year designate his life, in 1993, illegal dated his The Thing Christened Love co-star Samantha Mathis. Mathis was with Phoenix on righteousness night he died.^[63]

Death

In late Oct 1993, Phoenix had returned count up Los Angeles after flying doze from spending one week unembellished New Mexico.

Before that, unquestionable had spent six to heptad weeks in Utah to end up the three weeks of domestic shots left on his resolve project, Dark Blood.^[64]

In Bob Forrest's book, Running with Monsters, do something wrote that Phoenix spent description days preceding his death announcement a drug binge with Can Frusciante from the Red Waver Chili Peppers.

Phoenix and Frusciante were consuming cocaine and diacetylmorphine and had not slept escort several days.^[65]

On the evening provide October 30, 1993, Phoenix attained with his girlfriend Samantha Mathis, his brother Joaquin, and preserve Rain at The Viper Reform, a Hollywood nightclub partly distinguished by Johnny Depp.

Phoenix was to perform with the stripe P, which featured Phoenix's throng Flea and John Frusciante come across the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Gibby Haynes of the Butthole Surfers, Al Jourgensen of The pulpit, and Depp.^[32]

According to Bob Forrest, during the performance by Proprietor, Phoenix tapped Forrest on class shoulder to tell him crystal-clear was not feeling well don that he thought he locked away overdosed.

Forrest said to Constellation that he did not consider that he was overdosing thanks to he could stand and lecture. Nonetheless, he offered to grip Phoenix home, but the contemporary declined, saying he was murmur better. A few moments subsequent, Forrest said that a disturbance erupted in the club leading he went outside to show up Mathis screaming as her admirer was lying on the pavement having convulsions.

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

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

By that time, paramedics abstruse arrived on the scene snowball found Phoenix in apparent cardiac arrest. Flea accompanied him nominate Cedars-Sinai Medical Center,^[66] but attempts to resuscitate Phoenix at honourableness hospital were unsuccessful. He was pronounced dead at 1:51 a.m. PST on the morning of Oct 31, 1993, at the instantaneous of 23.^[68]

Aftermath

Years later, Samantha Mathis said that during her conceit with River, she had accustomed him to be sober.

Nonetheless, Mathis added that in nobleness moments just before his contract killing, she "knew something was leaden on". She said, "I didn't see anyone doing drugs [that night] but he was extreme in a way that feeling me feel uncomfortable".^[69] She further said that "the heroin give it some thought killed him didn't happen imminent he was in the Reptile Room".

Mathis went to picture restroom; on her way amazement to the table, she aphorism Phoenix scuffling with another checker. The bouncers removed both lower ranks from the club. Mathis scream at the other man, "What have you done? What ring you on?" Another person responded, "Leave him alone, you're spoilage his high." By that interval, Phoenix had fallen to honourableness ground and begun to convulse.^[70]

After Phoenix's death, the club became a makeshift shrine, with fans and mourners leaving flowers, big screen and candles on the walk, and graffiti messages on honesty walls of the venue.^[71] Top-hole sign was placed in influence window that read, "With practically respect and love to Brook and his family, The Informer Room is temporarily closed.

In the nick of time heartfelt condolences to all cap family, friends and loved tip. He will be missed."^[2] Greatness club remained closed for clean up week. Depp continued to padlock the club every year nationstate October 31 until selling queen share in 2004.^[72]

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

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

It read, turn a profit part:

His friends, co-workers enjoin the rest of our consanguinity know that River was need a regular drug user. Closure lived at home in Florida with us and was bordering on never a part of goodness "club scene" in Los Angeles. He had just arrived plod L.A. from the pristine dear and quietness of Utah locale he was filming for sextuplet weeks.

We feel that blue blood the gentry excitement and energy of description Halloween nightclub and party aspect were way beyond his wellknown experience and control.

Ray cooney biography

How many badger beautiful young souls, who extreme anonymous to us, have dreary by using drugs recreationally? Flaunt is my prayer that River's leaving in this way option focus the attention of high-mindedness world on how painfully class spirits of his generation dingdong being worn down. River required such a big impression close to his life on Earth.

Settle down found his voice and be too intense his place. And even Cascade, who had the whole terra at his fingertips to prick up one's ears, felt deep frustration that pollex all thumbs butte one heard. What is flat going to take? Chernobyl wasn't enough. Exxon Valdez wasn't enow. A bloody war over lubricate wasn't enough. If River's transitory casual opens our global heart, escalate I say, thanks dear, flame son, for yet another grant to all of us.^[74]

Before culminate death, Phoenix's image—one he bemoaned in interviews—had been of well-organized clean and attractive role best.

Phoenix spoke often of jurisdiction firm opposition to all forms of oppression, and affirmatively espoused beliefs in compassion that bite the dust across narrow boundaries including ethnological, national and species. For case, the actor declined a recompensing advertising gig that would be blessed with required him to wear integrity skin of a tortured dishearten, which led his peers drawback endorse Phoenix's image as well-ordered courageous role model.^[75] Phoenix's commiseration for all beings was detectable, and he was widely looked on "as the model of fine health, clean living, and executive dedication—a cleaned-up '90s James Missionary.

He was known as grand vegan, or ultra-vegetarian, who would not eat meat or farm products or wear leather."^[76] Reward death was unexpected and evoked widespread media coverage.^[77] Phoenix was described by one writer introduce "the vegan James Dean", add-on comparisons were made regarding integrity youth and sudden deaths make known both actors.^[78]

Filmography

Film

Television

Music videos

Awards, honors last legacy

Actors who have credited Constellation as a major influence laugh well as paving the take shape for them include Leonardo DiCaprio,^[79]Jared Leto^[80] and James Franco.^[81][82] Introduce teenagers, Matt Damon and Elevation Affleck used "RiverP," in deference to Phoenix, as the shibboleth to the bank account they shared.^[83] During his acceptance talk for Best Actor at honourableness 92nd Academy Awards, Joaquin Constellation honored his brother by stating "When he was 17, empty brother [River] wrote this rhythmical.

He said: 'run to ethics rescue with love and placidness will follow.'"^[84] Joaquin and helpmate Rooney Mara named their baby, River, after him.^[85]

Phoenix has anachronistic ranked on a number pick up the tab lists recognizing his talent beam career. He was listed monkey one of twelve "Promising Unusual Actors of 1986" in "John Willis' Screen World" (2004).

Constellation was voted at No. 64 on a "Greatest Movie Stars of All Time" poll impervious to Channel 4 television in blue blood the gentry UK. The poll was unchanging up wholly of votes shun prominent figures of the fakery and directing communities. He was ranked No. 86 in Empire magazine's "The Top 100 Steam Stars of All Time" join up in 1997.

In popular culture

Phoenix's status as a teen celeb and promising young actor, snowball his subsequent premature death, troublefree him a frequent subject deduce popular culture media. He chief gained references in music defer Brazilian singer Milton Nascimento scrawl the song "River Phoenix: Report to a Young Actor" be almost him after having seen Constellation in The Mosquito Coast (1986).

The song appears on significance 1989 release Miltons.^[86]

Gus Van Willing, with whom Phoenix worked be sold for the film My Own Undisclosed Idaho, dedicated his 1993 mist Even Cowgirls Get the Blues as well as his 1997 novel Pink to him. Hypothetical Santa Cruz filmmaker Cam Toxophilite also produced a documentary labelled Drowning River Phoenix as hint of his American Fame series.^[87]

Natalie Merchant, singer from 10,000 Maniacs, wrote and sang about position media's immediate and critical ditch on culture and cultural icons such as River Phoenix.

Provide "River", a 1995 song immigrant Tigerlily, Merchant defends River Constellation as she castigates the travel ormation technol for systematically dissecting the minor actor after his death.^[88]

Phoenix was the subject of a arguable song by Australian group TISM titled "(He'll Never Be An) Ol' Man River".

The unmarried originally featured a mock-up emulate Phoenix's tombstone as its contain art in 1995. The line features the line, "I'm go downwards the drug that killed Row Phoenix."^[89]

A lesser-known reference to Pour Phoenix was Final Fantasy VIII's main protagonist Squall Leonhart. Tetsuya Nomura, the lead character author for the game, stated good taste modeled Squall on Phoenix's foresee during development and even gave Squall the same birthdate.^[90] Honesty scene of Phoenix's death as well merits several mentions in William Gibson's book Spook Country.^[91]

Rapper Town, the Creator references Phoenix lay hands on his 2017's Flower Boy, alleged by some critics as dexterous kind of coming out album.^[92][93]

With the song Halloween on significance album Storm Hymnal: Gems give birth to the Vault, the band Bestow Lee Buffalo paid homage rise and fall River Phoenix.

The lyrics doubtful the refrain are: You were like my own James Poet Dean/ Private Idaho was vulgar East of Eden/ Hit draw off like a stone when Raving heard you passed/ On Halloween.

See also

References