In remembrance...

This post is in remembrance of the young actor River Phoenix (8.23.70-10.31.93). I am a day late in writing this, since the 20th anniversary of his death was yesterday. He passed away from a drug overdose at the un-timely age of 23.

River Phoenix was born on August 23, 1970 in Madras Oregon. His role in "Stand by Me" based on the book by Stephen King served as his breakthrough into Hollywood. He was an Academy Award Nominee for his role in "Running on Empty" directed by Sydney Lumet. Phoenix was also the young Indy in the movie "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" (which is the role I first saw him in). 

Phoenix was an actor and activist, born to the name River Jude Bottom. River Phoenix was considered among the most talented of actors of his generation, and had a promising career ahead of him. He was born on a farm to parents John Lee Bottom and Arlyn Dunetz. John and Arlyn lived a bohemian lifestyle, and moved around a lot with their infant son. Phoenix was named after the river of life in Hermann Hesse's book Siddhartha. 

In the years to come, Phoenix became a big brother to siblings Rain, Joaquin, Liberty, and Summer. As a young child, Phoenix learned how to play the guitar and to sing. He performed in the streets of Caracas, Venezuela with his sister Rain to earn money. In 1978, the family spent time in Florida where Phoenix and some of the siblings performed in talent shows and drew some attention. Afterwards, Phoenix and his family moved to California to try to make it in the entertainment industry. His mother began work as a secretary at NBC, and found an agent to represent all the children. Phoenix landed a few commercials, and a number of guest spots on notable series such as Hotel and Family Ties.

In 1985 Phoenix made his first film debut in Explorers, playing a young inventor with Ethan Hawke. His next film Stand by Me, led him to his breakthrough. He starred with Wil Wheaton, Corey Feldman, and Jerry O'Connell. Next, Phoenix appeared as the son of Harrison Ford in The Mosquito Coast (1986). In 1988, he appeared in three films: Little Nikita, A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon, and Running on Empty. Running on Empty was the most critically successful out of the three.

Phoenix would go on to play in many more roles, with co-stars such as: Harrison Ford, Tracy Ulman, Kevin Kline,Robert Redford, Lili Taylor, William Hurt, and Keanu Reeves.

Not only was Phoenix a wonderful actor, but he was an activist and musician. He was a strong supporter of animal rights, and became a vegan at the age of 8. In 1989, Phoenix told the New York Times, "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."

His last completed film was Sam Shepard's western Silent Tongue. He starred with Alan Bates, Richard Harris, and Dermont Mulrony. Phoenix began work on Dark Blood with Jonathan Pryce and Judy Davis, when the tragedy hit. During a break in the film, Phoenix went out to the nightclub partly owned by Jonny Depp called the Viper Room. There he overdosed on drugs. His brother Joaquin Phoenix called 911, and paramedics tried to resuscitating him on the scene. He was transported to Cedaris-Sinai Medical Center where he was declared dead early October 31st.

Friends, Family, and Fans mourned his death. According to the New York Times, Harrison Ford said, " He once played my son, and I came to love him like a son, and was proud to watch him grow into a man of such talent and integrity, and compassion." A memorial service was held for Phoenix, and his ashes were scattered at the family's Florida ranch.

references:

"River Phoenix." 2013. The Biography Channel website. Nov 01 2013, 08:53 http://www.biography.com/people/river-phoenix-372698.