River Phoenix in 1998.Photo:George Rose/Getty
George Rose/Getty
In the early ‘90s,River Phoenixwas one of the most in-demand young actors in Hollywood.
But the promising young actor’s career was cut tragically short on Oct. 31, 1993, when Phoenix collapsed outside of the popular West Hollywood nightclub The Viper Room anddied from a drug overdose.
On the30th anniversary of his death in 2023, his mother, Arlyn “Heart” Phoenix, shared a photo of her late son and honored his caring nature. “From the first song he ever wrote at five years old seeing a kid being bullied … He was a voice for the voiceless and had the courage to use his celebrity to make a difference," she wrote.
Phoenix’s sister Rain also posted a video tribute to him, saying of her brother, “He cared so deeply about the planet, the animals and all people. He really believed that one person can make a difference."
Here is a look at what happened the night River Phoenix died and the legacy he left behind.
How did River Phoenix die?
River Phoenix.Barry King/WireImage
Barry King/WireImage
Family members and friends originally disputed the notion that drugs had been the cause of Phoenix’s death. ActressChristine Lahti, who worked with Phoenix onRunning on Empty, told theLos Angeles Timesthat “he was so adamant about clean, pure living.” (The actor was a strict vegan who didn’t eat meat, dairy or eggs or wear any leather products.)
Phoenix’s mother,Arlyn “Heart” Phoenix, reiterated the same belief in a letter published intheL.A. Times. She described his death as a “safe passage” and wrote that “friends, co-workers and the rest of our family know that River was not a regular drug user.”
When did River Phoenix die?
Phoenix was pronounced dead at 1:51 a.m. on Oct. 31, 1993.
Fire Captain Ray Ribar, who was part of the team of paramedics treating Phoenix, told reporters that his death appeared to be “the classic cocaine overreaction — it just nails some people and stops the heart.”
Where did River Phoenix die?
The Viper Room the day after the death of actor River Phoenix.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty
Michael Ochs Archives/Getty
Phoenix was reportedly at the iconic nightclub to perform with his rock band Aleka’s Attic; the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Depp’s band P were also scheduled to play. Also with Phoenix at the club were his siblingsJoaquin PhoenixandRain Phoenixandhis girlfriend Samantha Mathis.
Shortly before 1 a.m., River was in the men’s room, where he began trembling in front of the sink. Fellow clubgoers splashed cold water on his face in an attempt to stop the shuddering. With River still “acting strangely,” per theL.A. Times, Mathis helped him exit the nightclub.
On the sidewalk outside of The Viper Room, River had multiple seizures. “He looked like a fish out of water,” photographer Ron Davis said.
Rain placed her body on top of River to try and stop his seizures. She also attempted mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, according toEntertainment Weekly. Meanwhile, Joaquin called 911. TheJokeractor, then 19, told the dispatcher, “I’m thinking he had Valium or something.”
How old was River Phoenix when he died?
Phoenix was 23 years old at the time of his death.
What were River Phoenix’s last words?
River Phoenix in 1989.Ron Galella, Ltd/Ron Galella Collection/Getty
Ron Galella, Ltd/Ron Galella Collection/Getty
Also present on the night of Phoenix’s death was musician Bob Forrest, a close friend of the actor. In Forrest’s 2013 memoirRunning with Monsters, theCelebrity Rehabstar shared a detailed account of the final moments of Phoenix’s life.
Forrest wrote that the actor tapped him on the shoulder while Depp’s band was performing and was a “whiter shade of pale.”
“Bob, I don’t feel so good,” Phoenix allegedly told Forrest. “I think I’m OD’ing.”
Forrest offered to take Phoenix home, but the actor declined — claiming he felt better. Shortly after their conversation, Forrest learned Phoenix had collapsed and was seizing on the sidewalk outside of the nightclub.
“I tried to reassure him. ‘I don’t think it’s an OD. You can stand and you can talk,’ ” Forrest recalled. “I still have guilt that I dismissed his worries so casually.”
How did the public react to River Phoenix’s death?
Fans placing flowers, candles and notes outside of The Viper Room on Nov. 1, 1993.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty
In the days following Phoenix’s death, fans turned the outside of The Viper Room into a temporary shrine for the late actor. Dozens of lit candles and piles of chrysanthemums, tulips, roses and carnations were placed on the sidewalk where Phoenix had collapsed. The words “The Eternal River” were written in blue and gold chalk on the street.
“The River Phoenix incident is like the January 1st, I’m-going-on-a-diet syndrome,” one L.A. clubgoer told PEOPLE. “It’s time for a little introspection. You decide to change your ways. And then, you go right back to doing what you always did.”
What happened toDark Blood, the movie River Phoenix was filming when he died?
River Phoenix at the Golden Globe Awards in 1989.Ron Galella, Ltd/Ron Galella Collection/Getty
At the time of his death in 1993, Phoenix was nearing the end of filmingDark Blood— a Dutch thriller film in which Phoenix played a hermit who takes a couple hostage while preparing for the end of the world. According toVariety, Phoenix had about one month of filming left to complete when he died on Oct. 31, 1993.
The film remained incomplete for nearly 20 years following Phoenix’s death. But in 2012, the actor appeared on the big screen once more when director George Sluizer completedDark Blood. The film was shown at the Netherlands, Berlin and Miami film festivals, according toThe Hollywood Reporter, and in 2018 was released on DVD in Germany.
What legacy did River Phoenix leave behind?
Summer Phoenix , Joaquin Phoenix, Jeffrey Weisberg, Rain Phoenix, Arlyn Phoenix and Liberty Phoenix at PETA’s 35th Anniversary Party in 2015.Jason Kempin/Getty
Jason Kempin/Getty
During his life, Phoenix was a dedicated activist, championing animal rights and environmentalism. He frequently attended rallies, performed at PETA events and lived a vegan lifestyle — all to support the causes he was passionate about. In 1992, PETA even presented Phoenix with its Humanitarian of the Year Award for his activist work and fundraising efforts.
“We’re here to present the River Phoenix Humanitarian Award, named after my brother, who from a young age understood that humans, other animals, and our natural world are all connected,” Joaquin said in 2020 when presenting the award again. “He also believed that those with power have a responsibility to protect the most vulnerable among us.”
Phoenix’s legacy also lives on through his family — and a generation of esteemed actors he influenced. In 2020, Joaquin (who has said that River convinced him toreturn to acting) and his partnerRooney Maranamed their son Riverin honor of the actor’s late brother. And in Hollywood, several accomplished actors — includingLeonardo DiCaprio,James FrancoandJared Leto— credit Phoenix as their inspiration.
“When I was starting, the two guys you wanted to model yourself on were River Phoenix andEthan Hawke,” Leto told theWall Street Journalin 2013.
DiCaprio echoed similar sentiments toEsquirein 2019: “I grew uprevering River Phoenixas the great actor of my generation.”
source: people.com
