River Phoenix

American actor and musician (1970–2026

Photo by: Alekassoul · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Born:August 23, 1970

Died:October 31, 1993

Age at death:23

Zodiac Sign:Virgo

Born in:Madras, United States

Residence:San Juan, United States

Languages:English

Television Actor Musician Environmentalist Actor Singer-songwriter Film Actor Guitarist Street Artist

Related People

Brother: Joaquin Phoenix

Connections graphExplore the full graph

Photo credits (2)

River Phoenix:
Photo by: Alekassoul · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Joaquin Phoenix:
Photo by: Harald Krichel · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Links

Wikipedia IMDb Facebook

Famous For

Movies & TV

Indiana Jones and the Last CrusadeStand by MeMy Own Private IdahoSneakersThe Mosquito Coast

Songs & Albums

Lone Star State of Mine

Awards

Independent Spirit Award for Best Male Lead (1992)National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actor (1991)Volpi Cup for Best Actor (1991)

River Phoenix

American actor and musician (1970–2026

Biography

River Jude Phoenix (né Bottom; August 23, 1970 – October 31, 1993) was an American actor and musician. The older brother of actor Joaquin Phoenix, he was known as a teen actor before taking on leading roles in critically acclaimed films, becoming one of the preeminent acting talents of his generation. Phoenix's numerous accolades include the Volpi Cup and the Independent Spirit Award, as well as nominations for an Academy Award and Golden Globe Award. Phoenix grew up in an itinerant family as the older brother of Rain, Joaquin, Liberty and Summer Phoenix. He began his acting career at age 10 in television commercials. His early film roles include Explorers (1985), Stand by Me (1986) and The Mosquito Coast (1986). Phoenix then made a transition into adult-oriented roles, earning a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the Sidney Lumet drama Running on Empty (1988). He earned the Volpi Cup for Best Actor and the Independent Spirit Award for Best Male Lead for his performance as Michael Waters, a gay hustler in search of his estranged mother, in the Gus Van Sant drama My Own Private Idaho (1991). Phoenix died at age 23 in the early hours of October 31, 1993, from acute multiple drug intoxication including cocaine and opiates taken before arriving at or at the Viper Room in West Hollywood, California. At the time, he was filming Dark Blood.

This biography uses content from the Wikipedia article “River Phoenix”, available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License.

Quotes

“Sometimes I wish I wasn't as conscious as I am. It would be so much easier.”

— Premier (1988)[specific citation needed]

“The press is always looking for a little twist to a story and what I've learned is that it all turns out very superficial. So you need to become what they want, you need to give what they put out.”

— E! Television (1988)[specific citation needed]

“I can't on my own change the regime in South Africa or teach the Palestinians to live with the Israelis, but I can start with me.”

— Sky Magazine (1988)[specific citation needed]

Quotes sourced from the Wikiquote article "River Phoenix", available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License.

Photos

River Phoenix during the Golden Globes Awards 1989

River Phoenix (August 23, 1970 – October 31, 1993) at the 61st Academy Awards, March 29, 1989 - Governor's Ball. This is a high resolution scan of the original 35MM film negative - 256 pixels/inch. Permission granted to copy, publish or post but please credit "photo by Alan Light" if you can NOTE: Permission granted to copy, publish, broadcast or post any of my photos, but please credit "photo by Alan Light" if you can. Thanks.

Sky Phoenix (aka George Siewierski) guitar used as Alekas Attic backup guitar by River Phoenix mostly used on the song by Josh McKay "Gold Mine" Close up of Yellow Fender American Stratocaster

Yellow Fender American Stratocaster of Sky Phoenix (aka George Siewierski) guitar used as Alekas Attic backup guitar by River Phoenix mostly used on the song by Josh McKay "Gold Mine"

River Phoenix (August 23, 1970 – October 31, 1993) at the 61st Academy Awards, March 29, 1989 - Governor's Ball. Scanned from the original 35MM film negative. Permission granted to copy, publish or post but please credit "photo by Alan Light" if you can.

River Phoenix at the Governor's Ball following the telecast of the 61st Annual Academy Awards, March 29, 1989. NOTE: Permission granted to copy, publish, broadcast or post any of my photos, but please credit "photo by Alan Light" if you can. Thanks. Scanned from the original 35MM film negative.

River Phoenix (August 23, 1970 – October 31, 1993) at the 61st Academy Awards, March 29, 1989 - . Scanned from the original 35MM film negative. Permission granted to copy, publish or post but please credit "photo by Alan Light" if you can NOTE: Permission granted to copy, publish, broadcast or post any of my photos, but please credit "photo by Alan Light" if you can. Thanks.

River Phoenix (left). Photo taken at 61st Academy Awards 3/29/89 - Governor's Ball - Permission granted to copy, publish or post but please credit "photo by Alan Light" if you can River Phoenix