A 17 year old River Phoenix preparing for an interview and then talking about his birthday.

Keanu Reeves and River Phoenix, 1991.

River Phoenix passed away outside the famous club The Viper Room which he was visiting that day. He was pronounced dead at 1:51 a.m. PST on the morning of October 31, 1993, at the age of 23. The Viper Room was a popular hangout spot for young Hollywood elit and at that time was artly owned by Johnny Depp. The club gained infamy for its drug-related incidents; actor River Phoenix had a fatal drug overdose in 1993, actor Jason Donovan suffered a drug-induced seizure in 1995 but survived, and singer Courtney Love survived an overdose in 1995 after Depp gave her  1997, singer Michael Hutchence played his last public performance in the Viper Room before taking his own life a week later.

Rooney Mara, Joaquin Phoenix and their son River

Little girl asks big brother to style her hair. Wow, such a brother is what many people want.

Joaquin Phoenix and his brother River in 1985.

River Phoenix, born on August 23, 1970, was a highly talented American actor known for his intense performances and commitment to activism. He gained recognition for his roles in films like "Stand by Me" and "Running on Empty," earning critical acclaim and an Academy Award nomination. Phoenix was not only dedicated to his craft but also passionate about environmental and animal rights activism. Tragically, his life was cut short at the age of 23 due to a drug overdose. Despite his untimely death, Phoenix's impact on the film industry, his dedication to causes he believed in, and his legacy as a gifted actor continue to resonate.

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) River Phoenix's role as a young Indiana Jones was phenomenal, and for good reason... River Phoenix's brief but phenomenal portrayal of the young version of Harrison Ford's iconic character didn't happen by accident. The two had actually worked together on 1986's "The Mosquito Coast" and Phoenix took note of Ford's mannerisms and disposition... “I kind of had some insight on Harrison’s way about him, being that I worked with him on The Mosquito Coast. And while doing Mosquito Coast, I kept a close eye on Harrison, and I noticed some of his traits, and when he would turn around, I would sometimes mimic him and get a few laughs.” - River Phoenix George Lucas actually asked Phoenix to reprise his role as a young Indiana Jones for "The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles" TV series (1992-93), but Phoenix declined. Source: Jordan Potter | 4/1/23 | Far Out Magazine | "How Harrison Ford trained River Phoenix to become Indiana Jones"

He earned an Academy Award nomination for Sydney Lumet's Running on Empty, the promising young actor's career was cut tragically short on Oct. 31, 1993, when Phoenix collapsed outside of the popular West Hollywood nightclub The Viper Room and died from a drug overdose.31-Oct-2023

Dudes wasted. Such a shame.

Joaquin and River Phoenix, 1985.