My obsession with River Phoenix is getting out of hand.
We all have that one actor who we love or obsess over. If you were born in the '90s like me, you too got to see all your favorite actors from today grow up. I remember watching Stand By Me and crushing on the boy who played Chris Chambers. When I learned that boy was River Phoenix, I instantly fell in love. I also found out he had passed the same year I was born. My obsession only grew at this point, and I decided to watch all his movies.
Most people will tell you the name River Phoenix sounds familiar. Sometimes they find a connection between him and Joaquin Phoenix (yes they are brothers). Others will probably know who he is because they’ve watched his movies. River Jude Bottom was an actor, musician, and activist born on August 23, 1970 who passed away on October 31, 1993 at the young age of 23.
Unfortunately I was not around in the '80s when River was a heartthrob and I didn’t have the chance to really know what he was about. But thankfully I do live in the 21st century and have access to the Internet and Youtube, which allows me to watch old footage of him.This is why I decided to make a list to explain my love for this guy.
1. He was a phenomenal actor.
I mean, every movie he starred in, he stole the show. He was very articulate in his performances, you can tell he really understood what he was doing, even at such a young age. All his movies were great but if I had to choose his top three I would choose: Stand By Me, Running On Empty, and My Own Private Idaho.
2. He was nominated for his first Academy Award at the age of 18, making him one of the youngest male nominees at the time.
He and his brother Joaquin Phoenix are the only two brothers to be nominated in the same category.
3. He starred alongside Ethan Hawke in his first feature film, Explorers in 1985.
Hawke still cherishes his friendship to Phoenix, and in his interview for Rolling Stone for the April 2016 cover, he said "There's probably only two actors of my generation who have inspired passionate envy in me, and that's River Phoenix and Philip Seymour Hoffman."
4. River Phoenix was an activist.
Becoming a vegan has become a trend today, and for River, it meant a lot. River, alongside with others like Lisa Bonet, was a vegan, and chose to educate others on the topic.
5. Lastly, although he passed away, his legend lives on.
River Phoenix was an underrated actor and a beautiful soul. He passed away of what is assumed to be a drug over dose. I personally choose not to remember the cause of his death but rather celebrate his 23 years of life.
