#68: River Phoenix Overdoses
River Phoenix’s 1993 overdose was not the first tragic death of a young actor nor the last, but you wouldn’t know it from the number of songs that have been written to honor and mourn the 23-year-old Hollywood casualty. Kurt Cobain, REM, Beyoncé, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rufus Wainwright, Tom Petty, and many others have paid musical respect to the handsome young star, whose death from a mix of heroin and cocaine helped highlight the rise of heroin chic.
River didn’t live long enough to become a true matinee idol (how many people have actually seen Running On Empty, which got him his Academy Award nom at 18?). But prominent roles in films ranging from My Own Private Idaho to Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade promised a fascinating career for the Phoenix, who enamored many with his political activism. He had no previous drug history, and many were shocked when River died on the sidewalk outside of Johnny Depp’s club, the Viper Room, following a night of hard partying. Brother Joaquin, who would eventually be nominated for an Oscar himself, almost quit acting after his desperate 911 call was played on TV.
Despite claims that River’s last words were “No paparazzi, I want anonymity,” a photographer broke into the funeral home, and sold a snap of his corpse to the National Enquirer for $5,000.
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August 23rd, 2008 at 2:34 am
River is why i started drugs..and his death is why im gonna od…..and i wish him to hell….and since im 34 i am so justified in oding like him…..
and river set a bad example to his teen fans..and i want out…cause its easy and river got it…..and his gf is a *)@$`&`~_&+*!#!$ and he should rot in hell and suffer ..GOOD RIDDANCE..
August 11th, 2008 at 6:16 pm
I still get sad every Halloween thinking about that tragic night in ‘93. Such a lgreat oss. He will always be in my heart. RIP River.
August 11th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
I LOVE both river and joaquin and always will!
I saw his very last photo (corpse) and till this day i am haunted by it, its not something any devoted fan should see of their movie idol!!
RIP River, I LOVE U BABY!!!
August 11th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
RIP Rio. You were too good for the world.
August 9th, 2008 at 6:10 pm
River had previous drug history. It just wasn’t publicized. And I’m not sure Beyonce should be accredited for paying musical respect to him. I have not heard any songs for him from her, nor would I want to.
Nevertheless, I love River Phoenix and I’m glad he made this list in some way, even if it is for his death.
August 9th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
Rio! Luv you! Stand By Me for life:) rest in Peace
August 8th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
My fav. Actor. I can’t believe somebody was low enough to sell a pic of his corpse for 5.000dollars. Thats pretty f’d up. It would have been interesting to see what he’d done with his career had he lived.
August 8th, 2008 at 5:55 am
he’s my hero i loveee him.
running on empty is one of my favourite films.
r.i.p rio xx
August 7th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
Love you always Rio… R.I.P.
August 7th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
great actor..loved his movies.