River Phoenix (1970–1993)

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River Phoenix was born River Jude Bottom in Madras, Oregon. His mother, Arlyn (Dunetz), a Bronx-born secretary, and his father, John Bottom, a carpenter, met in California in 1968. They worked as itinerant fruit pickers, and later joined the Children of God religious group (John was originally Catholic, while Arlyn was born Jewish). By the time ... See full bio »

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Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 11 wins & 4 nominations. See more awards »

Photos

141 photos | 17 videos »

Known For

My Own Private Idaho
My Own Private Idaho Mike Waters
(1991)
Stand by Me
Stand by Me Chris Chambers
(1986)
The Mosquito Coast
The Mosquito Coast Charlie
(1986)
Running on Empty
Running on Empty Danny Pope
(1988)
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Filmography

Hide Hide Show Show Actor (26 credits)
 2019 Stand by Me: Deleted and Alternate Scenes (Video short)
Chris Chambers
 2012 Dark Blood
Boy
 1993 The Thing Called Love
James Wright
 1993 Silent Tongue
Talbot Roe
 1992 Sneakers
Carl
 1992 Red Hot Chili Peppers: Breaking the Girl (Music Video)
River Phoenix
 1991 Dogfight
Eddie Birdlace
 1991 My Own Private Idaho
Mike Waters
 1990 I Love You to Death
Devo
 1988 Running on Empty
Danny Pope
 1988 Little Nikita
Jeff Grant
 1986 Ben E. King: Stand by Me (Music Video short)
River Phoenix
 1986 The Mosquito Coast
Charlie
 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 and His Times (TV Mini Series)
Robert Kennedy Jr.
- Episode #1.3 (1985) ... Robert Kennedy Jr.
- Episode #1.2 (1985) ... Robert Kennedy Jr. (credit only)
- Episode #1.1 (1985) ... Robert Kennedy Jr. (credit only)
 1984 Hotel (TV Series)
Kevin
- Transitions (1984) ... Kevin (uncredited)
 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
- Part 2 (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
- Winner (1983) ... Guthrie McFadden
- Winter Roses (1983) ... Guthrie McFadden
- The Rescue (1983) ... Guthrie McFadden
Show all 22 episodes
Show Show Soundtrack (4 credits)
Show Show Thanks (5 credits)
Show Show Self (11 credits)
Show Show Archive footage (29 credits)

Related Videos

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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 "Niandra La'Des And Usually Just A T-Shirt") but were removed ... See more »

Publicity Listings:

7 Print Biographies | 2 Portrayals | 2 Interviews | 7 Articles | 1 Pictorial | 22 Magazine Cover Photos | See more »

Alternate Names:

River

Height:

5' 10" (1.78 m)

Children:

None

Parents:

Bottom, Arlyn | Bottom, John

Relatives:

Joaquin Phoenix (sibling) | See more »
Edit

Did You Know?

Personal Quote:

I want kids, a family of my own. I'd like to give them the first eight years of their lives in the country. Then I'd want them educated, which I wasn't formally, although I had a tutor once when I was twelve. At times I miss a formal education, but at others I thank God for everything else I have now. What I have got from my childhood aren't toys, but memories. And happy memories are better than ... See more »

Trivia:

Appeared in two movies about Espionage that were released the same year: Running on Empty (1988) and Little Nikita (1988). See more »

Trademark:

Portraying innate emotional vulnerability

Nickname:

Rio See more »

Star Sign:

Virgo
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