River Phoenix: biography, career, personal life

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

River Phoenix is a unique Hollywood actor. After all, popular publications continue to write about him, despite the fact that the artist passed away more than two decades ago. The creative heritage of a talented guy has a limited number of films. However, most of the actor's works deserve the attention of the widest audience. We invite you to recall the life, work, personal life and best films of Rivera Phoenix.

Early years

River was born on August 23, 1970 in the provincial American town of Madras. Our hero's parents, John and Arlene Bottom, were of Jewish origin. For a long time, the couple was a member of the religious sect "Children of God". The family constantly traveled the world, doing missionary work. Over time, the boy's parents became disillusioned with the activities of the organization, as the leaders of the sect began to promote radical views.

In 1997, the family settled in Los Angeles. In order to finally cut ties with a past life, River's parents tooksurname Phoenix. The act had a hidden meaning, since the phoenix is a symbol of the start of a new, brighter future.

Soon the boy's father got the position of an agent for the recruitment of artists for filming projects under the auspices of the popular NBC television channel. Here the head of the family made a useful acquaintance with an employee named Iris Burton, who worked with children. One day, a woman noticed the hidden talents for acting in little River Phoenix. Iris invited the guy to go through a casting to participate in the filming. Thus, the young man discovered excellent prospects for a career in Hollywood.

Movie debut

On television, River Phoenix, whose photo is presented in the article, appeared at the age of ten. The debut work for the boy was a small role in the popular series "Fantasy". The guy appeared on the screen along with his own sister Rain, performing several songs with a guitar.

The aspiring actor has seriously got used to the image of a musician, becoming to imitate the manner of Elvis Presley during castings. The second role in the biography of River Phoenix appeared in 1982: the boy participated for a year in the serial project “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers”.

The young actor's first feature film was Celebrity, which was released in 1984. Here River Phoenix played a boy named Geoffrey Crawford. The scene with the participation of the artist took only 10 minutes in the timing of the tape. However, the actor's character influenced the development of the plot and remained noticed.

First serious successes

In 1985, the young River Phoenix made a name for himself as a talented, up-and-coming actor, starring in the successful series Family Ties. While working on the project, the guy learned what drugs are, addicted to smoking marijuana. Thanks to the growing popularity, the young man began to lead a somewhat riotous life.

Real recognition from film critics River Phoenix received after playing one of the central roles in the film "Stay with me", based on one of the works of the famous writer Stephen King.

Actor's finest hour

In 1989, River Phoenix's filmography was replenished with another notable work. The guy took part in the filming of the adventure film "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade", playing the main character at the age of 13. This was followed by a role in the sensational comedy film I Love You to Death.

Real fame actor brought work in the film "My Own Private Idaho". Here the artist appeared on the screen along with the famous Keanu Reeves. Young people talentedly revealed the images of the main characters of the shocking story, playing guys who demonstrate contempt for public morality. After the resounding success of the tape, River gained the status of a real Hollywood sex symbol.

Private life

At the age of sixteen, the actor began dating his partner in the filming of the melodrama "Mosquito Coast" Martha Plympton. The relationship of the couple lasted about three years. The beloved left Rivera because of the young man's addiction to drugs.

In the early 90s, Phoenix started an affair with the famous actress Suzanne Solgot. Young people met for several years. The couple lived together for a long time in the artist's house. However, on the set of the picture "What is called love", work on which started in 1993, River became interested in partner Samantha Mathis. It was this girl who remained the faithful companion of our hero's life until his death.

Sudden death of an actor

Phoenix's life ended unexpectedly in October 1993. The guy played one of the main characters in the adventure western Bad Blood. After another hard day on the set, River went to relax in Johnny Depp's personal nightclub called the Viper Room. One of the visitors to the establishment suggested that the screen star relieve tension with drugs. Having used an explosive mixture of heroin and cocaine, the actor felt a sharp deterioration in well-being. Phoenix lost consciousness. An ambulance took Rivera to a nearby clinic. However, the actor could not be saved, despite the efforts of the doctors from the intensive care unit.

Community activities

River Phoenix is known as a zealous animal rights activist. The actor has repeatedly organized public events in support of our smaller brothers. The guy was a member of the environmental organization PETA, regularly allocating funds for environmental protection. One of the most notable acts of Phoenix was the financing of the action, whichallowed to buy more than 300 hectares of forests that were under threat of destruction in Costa Rica.