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River Phoenix (1970–1993)

Actor | Soundtrack

A dedicated animal-rights activist and environmentalist, River was a strict vegetarian and a member of PeTA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals). River was a talented musician as well as an actor, and he played guitar, sang, and wrote songs for his band, Aleka's Attic, which also included his sister Rain Phoenix... See full bio »

Born:

River Jude Bottom
in Madras, Oregon, USA

Died:

(age 23) in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA
Still of River Phoenix and Corey Feldman in Stand by Me Still of Dan Aykroyd, River Phoenix, Robert Redford and Sidney Poitier in Sneakers Still of River Phoenix in Stand by Me Still of River Phoenix and Judd Hirsch in Running on Empty Still of River Phoenix in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
13 photos | 20 videos | 397 news articles »

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Francine Locke Film Reel -- Family Law (Best Actress, Gideon), Stealing Home (Best Supporting Actress-nom.) 168 Project, True Tale Monster (Albert P. Weisman Award), The Discarded (2011 Feature Release).

Francine Locke Film Reel

My Demo Reel -- Includes clips from GLORY DAZE, COMMUNITY and horror film URBAN EXPLORER.

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Melanie Molnar - Reel -- No description provided.

Melanie Molnar - Reel

Franklin Ojeda Smith - -- "...back in the day the 'barb wire' was more visible" and early on I chose baseball over acting; then academia and not baseball. Now,"...the kids are grown, the dog is dead and now that I may, I choose acting." Please take a look: 1)Boardwalk Empire - Deacon Cuffy 2)Murder Incorporated - Sam Christenson 3)Cayman Went - Aniston Turnkey 4)Letting Go -Therapist 5)Footsteps in the Sand - Jim. Thank You! Franklin

Franklin Ojeda Smith -

David H. Lawrence, XVII - Drama -- On-camera drama reel featuring David H. Lawrence XVII, in scenes from Heroes, The Unit, LOST, and more

David H. Lawrence, XVII - Drama


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Nominated for Oscar. Another 10 wins & 3 nominations See more awards »

Known For


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Filmography

Hide HideActor (24 titles)
2012 Dark Blood
Boy
 
1993 Even Cowgirls Get the Blues
Pilgrim (uncredited)
 
1993 The Thing Called Love
James Wright
 
1993 Silent Tongue
Talbot Roe
 
1992 Sneakers
Carl Arbogast
 
1991 Dogfight
Eddie Birdlace
 
1991 My Own Private Idaho
Mike Waters
 
1990 I Love You to Death
Devo Nod
 
1989 Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Young Indy
 
1988 Running on Empty
Danny Pope
 
1988 Little Nikita
Jeff Grant
 
1988 A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon
Jimmy Reardon
 
1986 The Mosquito Coast
Charlie Fox
 
1986 Circle of Violence: A Family Drama (TV movie)
Chris Benfield
 
1986 Stand by Me
Chris Chambers
 
1985 Family Ties (TV series)
Eugene Forbes
– My Tutor (1985) … Eugene Forbes
 
1985 Explorers
Wolfgang Müller
 
1985 Surviving (TV movie)
Philip Brogan
 
1985 Robert Kennedy & His Times (TV mini-series)
Robert Kennedy Jr. (Part 3)
 
1984 Hotel (TV series)
Kevin
– Transitions (1984) … Kevin
 
1984 It's Your Move (TV series)
Brian
– Pilot (1984) … Brian
 
1984 ABC Afterschool Specials (TV series)
Brian Ellsworth
– Backwards: The Riddle of Dyslexia (1984) … Brian Ellsworth
 
1984 Celebrity (TV mini-series)
Jeffie - Age 11
– Part 3 (1984) … Jeffie - Age 11
 
1982-1983 Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (TV series)
Guthrie McFadden
– Roundup (1983) … Guthrie McFadden
– A Ring for Hannah (1983) … Guthrie McFadden
– Winter Roses (1983) … Guthrie McFadden
– The Rescue (1983) … Guthrie McFadden
– Deadly High (1983) … Guthrie McFadden
See all 21 episodes »
 
Show ShowSoundtrack (2 titles)
1993 The Thing Called Love (writer: "LONE STAR STATE OF MINE" / performer: "STANDING ON A ROCK", "UNTIL NOW", "BLAME IT ON YOUR HEART", "LONE STAR STATE OF MINE", "OL' JOHN AND JIMMY", "LOST HIGHWAY", "LOVE IS")
 
1986 Stand by Me (performer: "The Ballad of Paladin")
 
Show ShowThanks (4 titles)
2013 Special Collector's Edition (TV series) (in memory of - 1 episode)
– Blu-ray: Pack Indiana Jones (2013) (in memory of)
 
2011 13 Steps (short) (in memory of)
 
1994 Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles (dedicatee)
 
1993 Even Cowgirls Get the Blues (dedicatee - as River)
 
Show ShowSelf (8 titles)
2002 Biography (TV series documentary)
Himself
– Eclipsed by Death: The Life of River Phoenix (2002) … Himself
 
1993 Canceled Lives: Letters from the Inside (video documentary)
Himself (voice)
 
1991 Evolution's End? (video documentary)
Himself
 
1991 Teen Vid II (video)
Himself
 
1990 CBS This Morning (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 16 April 1990 (1990) … Himself
 
1989 Today (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 18 May 1989 (1989) … Himself
 
1989 The 61st Annual Academy Awards (TV special)
Himself - Nominee: Best Actor in a Supporting Role
 
1988 The Starlight Annual Foundation Benefit (TV movie)
Himself
 
Show ShowArchive Footage (17 titles)
2012 My Own Private River
 
2008 60/90 (TV series)
 
2008 Dr. Drew's Celebrity Addiction Special (TV documentary)
Himself
 
2008 20 to 1 (TV series documentary)
 
2007 Here's Looking at You, Boy (documentary)
Mike Waters (uncredited)
 
2006 George Sluizer - Filmen over grenzen (documentary)
Boy
 
2006 The Thing Called Love: A Look Back (video documentary short)
Himself
 
2006 Our Friend River (video short)
Himself
 
2000-2005 Biography (TV series documentary)
 
2005 The 77th Annual Academy Awards (TV special)
Himself (uncredited)
 
2003 The Music of 'Indiana Jones' (video documentary short)
Himself
 
2003 Indiana Jones: Making the Trilogy (video documentary)
Himself
 
2003 101 Most Shocking Moments in Entertainment (TV documentary)
Himself
 
2003 The Making of 'Sneakers' (video documentary short)
Himself
 
2002 Walking the Tracks: The Summer of 'Stand by Me' (video documentary short)
Chris Chambers (uncredited)
 
1996 This Road Will Never End (documentary short)
Himself
 
1994 The 66th Annual Academy Awards (TV special)
Himself - Memorial Tribute
 

Related Videos

Family Ties: Season 4: Episode 7 -- A young genius falls for Jennifer while tutoring Alex in math. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade -- Clip: Indiana Jones Almost Retrieves The Grail The Thing Called Love -- A group of newcomers to the country music business seek love and stardom.
See all 20 »
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Personal Details

Other Works:

He features on two songs on the Red Hot Chili Peppers' eccentric guitarist John Frusciante's 1997 album "Smile From The Streets You Hold". The two songs (titled "Height Down" and "Well I've Been") were originally intended for inclusion on John's first album (1994's... See more »

Publicity Listings:

4 Print Biographies  | 2 Interviews  | 7 Articles  | 20 Magazine Cover Photos  | See more »

Alternate Names:

River

Height:

5' 10" (1.78 m)
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Did You Know?

Personal Quote:

I would rather quit while I was ahead. There's no need in overstaying your welcome. See more »

Trivia:

Had a very close bond with Harrison Ford. See more »

Nickname:

Riv See more »

Star Sign:

Virgo