River Phoenix

River Jude Phoenix (né Bottom; August 23, 1970 – October 31, 1993) was an American actor and musician. Phoenix grew up in an itinerant family, as the older brother of Rain Phoenix, Joaquin Phoenix, Liberty Phoenix, and Summer Phoenix. He had no formal schooling, but showed an instinctive talent for the guitar. He began his acting career at age 10 in television commercials. He starred in the science fiction adventure film Explorers (1985) and had his first notable role in 1986's Stand by Me, a coming-of-age film based on the novella The Body by Stephen King. Phoenix made a transition into more adult-oriented roles with Running on Empty (1988), playing Danny Pope, the son of fugitive parents in a well-received performance that earned him a nomination for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor (at age 18, he became the sixth-youngest nominee in the category), and My Own Private Idaho (1991), playing Michael Waters, a gay hustler in search of his estranged mother. For his performance in the latter, Phoenix garnered enormous praise and won a Volpi Cup for Best Actor at the 1991 Venice Film Festival as well as Independent Spirit Award for Best Male Lead and National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actor, becoming the second-youngest winner of the former. Phoenix died at age 23 from combined drug intoxication in West Hollywood in the early hours of Halloween, 1993, having overdosed on cocaine and heroin (a mixture commonly known as speedball) at The Viper Room ...

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Dogfight (1991)

In the fall of 1963, Eddie Birdlace is an 18-year-old Marine Corps volunteer who is about to ship out with three of his buddies for a tour of duty in Vietnam. Planning a massive blowout for their last night in San Francisco, Eddie, his buddies, and a number of ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Nancy Savoca
CAST:  River Phoenix  •  Lili Taylor  •  Richard Panebianco  •  Anthony Clark

In the fall of 1963, Eddie Birdlace is an 18-year-old Marine Corps volunteer who is about to ship out with three of his buddies for a tour of duty in Vietnam. Planning a massive blowout for their last night in San Francisco, Eddie, his buddies, and a number of ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Nancy Savoca
CAST:  River Phoenix  •  Lili Taylor  •  Richard Panebianco  •  Anthony Clark

Little Nikita (1988)

Roy Parmenter is an FBI agent in San Diego; 20 years ago his partner was killed by a Soviet spy, nicknamed Scuba, still at large. Scuba is now trying to extort the Soviets; to prove he's serious, he's killing their agents one by one, including "sleepers," agents ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Richard Benjamin
CAST:  Sidney Poitier  •  River Phoenix  •  Richard Jenkins  •  Caroline Kava

Roy Parmenter is an FBI agent in San Diego; 20 years ago his partner was killed by a Soviet spy, nicknamed Scuba, still at large. Scuba is now trying to extort the Soviets; to prove he's serious, he's killing their agents one by one, including "sleepers," agents ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Richard Benjamin
CAST:  Sidney Poitier  •  River Phoenix  •  Richard Jenkins  •  Caroline Kava

My Own Private Idaho (1991)

DepressingHeartbreakingEmotionalTear-jerker

In this loose adaptation of Shakespeare's "Henry IV," Mike Waters is a hustler afflicted with narcolepsy. Scott Favor is the rebellious son of a mayor. Together, the two travel from Portland, Oregon to Idaho and finally to the coast of Italy in a quest to find ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Gus Van Sant
CAST:  River Phoenix  •  Keanu Reeves  •  James Russo  •  William Richert

In this loose adaptation of Shakespeare's "Henry IV," Mike Waters is a hustler afflicted with narcolepsy. Scott Favor is the rebellious son of a mayor. Together, the two travel from Portland, Oregon to Idaho and finally to the coast of Italy in a quest to find ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Gus Van Sant
CAST:  River Phoenix  •  Keanu Reeves  •  James Russo  •  William Richert

Running on Empty (1988)

The Popes are a family who haven't been able to use their real identity for years. In the late sixties, the parents set a weapons lab afire in an effort to hinder the government's Vietnam war campaign. Ever since then, the Popes have been on the run with the ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Sidney Lumet
CAST:  Christine Lahti  •  River Phoenix  •  Judd Hirsch  •  Jonas Abry

The Popes are a family who haven't been able to use their real identity for years. In the late sixties, the parents set a weapons lab afire in an effort to hinder the government's Vietnam war campaign. Ever since then, the Popes have been on the run with the ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Sidney Lumet
CAST:  Christine Lahti  •  River Phoenix  •  Judd Hirsch  •  Jonas Abry

Sneakers (1992)

GrippingSuspensefulCleverFun

When shadowy U.S. intelligence agents blackmail a reformed computer hacker and his eccentric team of security experts into stealing a code-breaking 'black box' from a Soviet-funded genius, they uncover a bigger conspiracy. Now, he and his 'sneakers' must save ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Phil Alden Robinson
CAST:  Robert Redford  •  Sidney Poitier  •  Dan Aykroyd  •  David Strathairn

When shadowy U.S. intelligence agents blackmail a reformed computer hacker and his eccentric team of security experts into stealing a code-breaking 'black box' from a Soviet-funded genius, they uncover a bigger conspiracy. Now, he and his 'sneakers' must save ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Phil Alden Robinson
CAST:  Robert Redford  •  Sidney Poitier  •  Dan Aykroyd  •  David Strathairn

Stand by Me (1986)

ClassicDramaticAdventurousOriginal

After learning that a boy their age has been accidentally killed near their rural homes, four Oregon boys decide to go see the body. On the way, Gordie, Vern, Chris and Teddy encounter a mean junk man and a marsh full of leeches, as they also learn more about one ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Rob Reiner
CAST:  Wil Wheaton  •  River Phoenix  •  Corey Feldman  •  Jerry O'Connell

After learning that a boy their age has been accidentally killed near their rural homes, four Oregon boys decide to go see the body. On the way, Gordie, Vern, Chris and Teddy encounter a mean junk man and a marsh full of leeches, as they also learn more about one ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Rob Reiner
CAST:  Wil Wheaton  •  River Phoenix  •  Corey Feldman  •  Jerry O'Connell

Dark Blood (2012)

Filmed in 1993 but never completed due to River Phoenix's death, Dark Blood tells the story of Boy, a young widower living on a nuclear testing site in the desert. Boy is waiting for the end of the world and carves Katchina dolls that supposedly contain magical ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  George Sluizer
CAST:  River Phoenix  •  Jonathan Pryce  •  Judy Davis  •  T. Dan Hopkins

Filmed in 1993 but never completed due to River Phoenix's death, Dark Blood tells the story of Boy, a young widower living on a nuclear testing site in the desert. Boy is waiting for the end of the world and carves Katchina dolls that supposedly contain magical ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  George Sluizer
CAST:  River Phoenix  •  Jonathan Pryce  •  Judy Davis  •  T. Dan Hopkins

I Love You to Death (1990)

Joey Boca is the owner of a pizza parlour, and has been married to Rosalie for years. When Rosalie discovers that Joey is a womanizer and has been cheating on her for a long time, she goes to extreme lengths to punish him.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Lawrence Kasdan
CAST:  Kevin Kline  •  Tracey Ullman  •  Joan Plowright  •  River Phoenix

Joey Boca is the owner of a pizza parlour, and has been married to Rosalie for years. When Rosalie discovers that Joey is a womanizer and has been cheating on her for a long time, she goes to extreme lengths to punish him.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Lawrence Kasdan
CAST:  Kevin Kline  •  Tracey Ullman  •  Joan Plowright  •  River Phoenix

Silent Tongue (1993)

Mad with grief after the death of his Kiowa wife, Roe awaits death under a tree with her body beside him. She begins to haunt him because he won't bury her. His father, who bought him the wife, thinks her sister might reason with Roe.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Sam Shepard
CAST:  River Phoenix  •  Richard Harris  •  Alan Bates  •  Dermot Mulroney

Mad with grief after the death of his Kiowa wife, Roe awaits death under a tree with her body beside him. She begins to haunt him because he won't bury her. His father, who bought him the wife, thinks her sister might reason with Roe.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Sam Shepard
CAST:  River Phoenix  •  Richard Harris  •  Alan Bates  •  Dermot Mulroney

Surviving (1985)

Lonnie and Rick seem to be complete opposites, at first glance. A survivor of suicide, Lonnie is introverted and ill at ease around her parents, Lois and Harvey. Rick, meanwhile, is sunny and charismatic. But appearances can be deceiving, as their families learn ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Waris Hussein
CAST:  Zach Galligan  •  Molly Ringwald  •  Ellen Burstyn  •  Len Cariou

Lonnie and Rick seem to be complete opposites, at first glance. A survivor of suicide, Lonnie is introverted and ill at ease around her parents, Lois and Harvey. Rick, meanwhile, is sunny and charismatic. But appearances can be deceiving, as their families learn ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Waris Hussein
CAST:  Zach Galligan  •  Molly Ringwald  •  Ellen Burstyn  •  Len Cariou

Explorers (1985)

The visionary dreams of three curious and adventuresome young boys become an exciting reality in Explorers, the action-fantasy from director Joe Dante, who combines keen humor, warmth and fantasy with unexpected twists. In their makeshift laboratory, the boys use ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Joe Dante
CAST:  Ethan Hawke  •  River Phoenix  •  Bobby Fite  •  James Cromwell

The visionary dreams of three curious and adventuresome young boys become an exciting reality in Explorers, the action-fantasy from director Joe Dante, who combines keen humor, warmth and fantasy with unexpected twists. In their makeshift laboratory, the boys use ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Joe Dante
CAST:  Ethan Hawke  •  River Phoenix  •  Bobby Fite  •  James Cromwell

The Mosquito Coast (1986)

Allie Fox, an American inventor exhausted by the perceived danger and degradation of modern society, decides to escape with his wife and children to Belize. In the jungle, he tries with mad determination to create a utopian community with disastrous results.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Peter Weir
CAST:  Harrison Ford  •  Helen Mirren  •  River Phoenix  •  Conrad Roberts

Allie Fox, an American inventor exhausted by the perceived danger and degradation of modern society, decides to escape with his wife and children to Belize. In the jungle, he tries with mad determination to create a utopian community with disastrous results.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Peter Weir
CAST:  Harrison Ford  •  Helen Mirren  •  River Phoenix  •  Conrad Roberts

Circle of Violence: A Family Drama (1986)

Georgia Benfield, at her wit's end, loses control and begins physically abusing her elderly mother, just as Georgia had been abused herself as a child. As family and friends slowly begin to learn of the abuse, and long-buried family secrets come to light, both ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  David Greene
CAST:  Tuesday Weld  •  Geraldine Fitzgerald  •  River Phoenix  •  Peter Bonerz

Georgia Benfield, at her wit's end, loses control and begins physically abusing her elderly mother, just as Georgia had been abused herself as a child. As family and friends slowly begin to learn of the abuse, and long-buried family secrets come to light, both ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  David Greene
CAST:  Tuesday Weld  •  Geraldine Fitzgerald  •  River Phoenix  •  Peter Bonerz

My Own Private River (2011)

Unused footage from Gus Van Sant's 1991 film My Own Private Idaho is re-contextualized in James Franco's tribute to River Phoenix.  (more)

DIRECTION:  James Franco  •  Gus Van Sant
CAST:  River Phoenix  •  Keanu Reeves  •  James Russo  •  Vana O'Brien

Unused footage from Gus Van Sant's 1991 film My Own Private Idaho is re-contextualized in James Franco's tribute to River Phoenix.  (more)

DIRECTION:  James Franco  •  Gus Van Sant
CAST:  River Phoenix  •  Keanu Reeves  •  James Russo  •  Vana O'Brien

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)

AdventurousAction-packedClassicFun

In 1938, an art collector appeals to eminent archaeologist Dr. Indiana Jones to embark on a search for the Holy Grail. Indy learns that a medieval historian has vanished while searching for it, and the missing man is his own father, Dr. Henry Jones Sr.. He sets out ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Steven Spielberg
CAST:  Harrison Ford  •  Sean Connery  •  Denholm Elliott  •  Alison Doody

In 1938, an art collector appeals to eminent archaeologist Dr. Indiana Jones to embark on a search for the Holy Grail. Indy learns that a medieval historian has vanished while searching for it, and the missing man is his own father, Dr. Henry Jones Sr.. He sets out ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Steven Spielberg
CAST:  Harrison Ford  •  Sean Connery  •  Denholm Elliott  •  Alison Doody

Backwards: The Riddle of Dyslexia (1984)

13-year-old Brian has problems reading, which his teachers attribute to laziness. It is later discovered that he has Dyslexia.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Alexander Grasshoff
CAST:  Madge Sinclair  •  River Phoenix  •  Joaquin Phoenix  •  Judy Farrell

13-year-old Brian has problems reading, which his teachers attribute to laziness. It is later discovered that he has Dyslexia.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Alexander Grasshoff
CAST:  Madge Sinclair  •  River Phoenix  •  Joaquin Phoenix  •  Judy Farrell

The Thing Called Love (1993)

Miranda Presley moves from New York to Nashville to become a songwriter. At an unsuccessful audition she meets James Wright, a promising newcomer. After only a few days they marry but start to quickly regret it.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Peter Bogdanovich
CAST:  River Phoenix  •  Samantha Mathis  •  Dermot Mulroney  •  Sandra Bullock

Miranda Presley moves from New York to Nashville to become a songwriter. At an unsuccessful audition she meets James Wright, a promising newcomer. After only a few days they marry but start to quickly regret it.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Peter Bogdanovich
CAST:  River Phoenix  •  Samantha Mathis  •  Dermot Mulroney  •  Sandra Bullock

A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon (1988)

A recent high school graduate is faced with two options, either go to a business school where his father wants him to go to, or get a full time job. However he decides to defy his father and go to Hawaii. Trouble is he has no money. Along the way he comes to ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  William Richert
CAST:  River Phoenix  •  Ann Magnuson  •  Meredith Salenger  •  Ione Skye

A recent high school graduate is faced with two options, either go to a business school where his father wants him to go to, or get a full time job. However he decides to defy his father and go to Hawaii. Trouble is he has no money. Along the way he comes to ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  William Richert
CAST:  River Phoenix  •  Ann Magnuson  •  Meredith Salenger  •  Ione Skye

Walking the Tracks: The Summer of Stand by Me (2000)

A unique look at the making of Stand by Me including interviews from Stephen King, Rob Reiner, Keifer Sutherland, Richard Dreyfuss, and the three surviving cast members Wil Wheaton, Corey Feldman, and Jerry O'Connell.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Michael Gillis
CAST:  Richard Dreyfuss  •  Corey Feldman  •  Stephen King  •  Jerry O'Connell

A unique look at the making of Stand by Me including interviews from Stephen King, Rob Reiner, Keifer Sutherland, Richard Dreyfuss, and the three surviving cast members Wil Wheaton, Corey Feldman, and Jerry O'Connell.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Michael Gillis
CAST:  Richard Dreyfuss  •  Corey Feldman  •  Stephen King  •  Jerry O'Connell

Showbiz Kids (2020)

A documentary chronicling the shared experiences of prominent former child stars and the personal and professional price of fame and failure on a child.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Alex Winter
CAST:  Alex Winter  •  Corey Feldman  •  Corey Haim  •  Henry Thomas

A documentary chronicling the shared experiences of prominent former child stars and the personal and professional price of fame and failure on a child.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Alex Winter
CAST:  Alex Winter  •  Corey Feldman  •  Corey Haim  •  Henry Thomas
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