River Phoenix Biography

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Career Highlights

Non-acting careers:

Big break: River's movie debut was 'Explorers' in 1985 but it was a year later when 'Stand By Me' was released, that was his movie break through.

Defining characters: In 1991 River's performance as Mike Waters, a male hustler in 'My Own Private Idaho' won him praise from critics and the movie became a cult classic.

Best movies: Stand by Me, Running on Empty and My Own Private Idaho.

Best TV: Surviving and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers

Stage credits:

Endorsements:

Other notable appearances/credits:

Top awards: In 1989, River was nominated for an Academy Award and Golden Globe for best supporting actor in 'Running on Empty'.

Other:

River Phoenix Relationships

Family: John and Arlyn married in 1969 and River was the eldest of five children. He had one brother Joaquin, three sisters, Rain, Summer and Liberty. He also had a half sister Jodene / Trust from his dad's first marriage.

Romance(s): River had three long term girlfriends. Martha Plimpton met on 'Mosquito Coast' but did not date until they were in 'Running on Empty'. He lived with a girl called Suzanne Solgot for a few years. At the time of his death, he was dating Samantha Mathis. They met on 'The Thing Called Love' and she was at the Viper Room, the night he died.

Frequent collaborator(s):

Other affiliations:

Fun Facts About River Phoenix

River was named River Jude. River after the river of life in Hermann Hesse's spiritual novel 'Siddhartha' and Jude after 'Hey Jude' by The Beatles. The family name was Bottom but changed it to Phoenix after leaving the cult.
River was a well known vegan and animal rights activist. He refused to use any animal by-products or wear fur or leather.
River disliked flying and so travelled by car or train.
River played the guitar and was in a band with his sister Rain called Aleka's Attic.
River was an environmentalist and he bought acres of rainforest in Brazil and Costa Rica to stop them from being cut down.
In 1990 for Earth Day, River wrote an environmental piece called 'We are the World' that was published in Seventeen magazine.
River played Harrison Ford's son in 'Mosquito Coast'. Later Harrison would recommend River to play a young Indy in 'Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade' as Harrison felt River looked like him when he was young.
River's favourite book was 'The Prophet', his brother Joaquin used it as a prop in 'Walk the Line'.
Johnny Depp part owned 'The Viper Room' where River died. In respect, 'The Viper Room' closed for one week after River died and continued to close every Halloween night, until Johnny sold his share in the business.
River's ashes were scattered on the Florida Ranch.
River was supposed to play the interviewer in 'Interview with a Vampire'. Christian Slater got the role but donated his fee to River's favourite charities.
River was considered for the lead roles in 'The Basketball Diaries' and 'Total Eclipse' which both went to Leonardo DiCaprio.
After River's death, his last completed movie 'Silent Tongue' was released. The last movie was only 90% complete at the time of his death so 'Dark Blood' was never released.
River and Joaquin were the first brothers in Hollywood history to be nominated for Academy Awards for acting.
A reporter broke into the funeral home and took photos of River in his coffin. The photos sold for $5,000 and the National Enquirier published them.
The song 'Transcending' by The Red Hot Chilli Peppers and 'Monster' album by R.E.M. were dedicated to River.

River Phoenix's Awards & Honors

Year	Award	Category/Recipient(s)	Result
1992	Independent Spirit Award	Best Male Lead for My Own Private Idaho	Won
1992	NSFC Award	Best Actor for My Own Private Idaho	Won
1991	Volpi Cup	Best Actor for My Own Private Idaho	Won
1988	NBR Award	Best Supporting Actor for My Own Private Idaho	Won
1988	Young Artist Award	Best Young Male Superstar in Motion Pictures for Mosquito Coast	Won
1987	Jackie Coogan Award	Stand by Me (shared with Wil Wheaton, Corey Feldman and Jeryy O'Connell)	Won
1986	Young Artist Award	Best Young Actor Starring in Television Special or Mini-series for Surviving	Won
1986	Young Artist Award	Exceptional Performance for a Young Actor - Motion Pictures for Explorers	Won
1984	Young Artist Award	Best Young Actor in a Drama Series for Seven Brides for Seven Brothers	Won

River Phoenix's Upcoming Projects

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Last update: Jul 5 2009, 2:01 PM EDT by thmtsang (content history | content tools) (help)

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