Birth Date
August 23, 1970
Died
October 31, 1993
Nationality
United States
Sun Sign
Leo
Natural hair color
Light brown
Eye color
Blue
Height
5 ft 10 in | 178 cm
Weight
72 kg | 159 lbs
Shoe size
11 US | 44 EU
Early acting career First movie Breakthrough
River Jude Phoenix was born in Madras, Oregon, United States, on August 23, 1970, was an American actor.
Young River Phoenix began his career in television commercials, at the age of 10.
He made his big screen debut in science fiction film Explorers (1985) in role as Wolfgang Müller, for which he was nominated for the Young Artist Award for Exceptional Performance by a Young Actor – Motion Picture.
He got his television debut in CBS musical series Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1982-1983) in role as Guthrie McFadden.
River's breakthrough performance came as Christopher "Chris" Chambers in drama comedy film Stand by Me (1986).
Best Movies
He was nominated for the Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Danny Pope in drama film Running on Empty (1988).
He won a Volpi Cup for Best Actor at the Venice Film Festival and Best Actor from the National Society of Film Critics for his performance as Michael "Mike" Waters in adventure drama film My Own Private Idaho (1991), directed by Gus Van Sant.
He was nominated for the Young Artist Award for Best Young Male Superstar in Motion Pictures for his role as Charlie Fox in drama thriller movie The Mosquito Coast (1986).
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) action adventure in role as the teenage Jones
Sneakers (1992) comedy caper with Robert Redford and Sidney Poitier
Running on Empty (1988) drama crime in role as Danny Pope
Dogfight (1991) drama romance in role as Eddie Birdlace
The Thing Called Love (1993) comedy drama with Sandra Bullock
Little Nikita (1988) thriller drama opposite Sidney Poitier
A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon (1988) drama opposite Matthew Perry
Surviving: A Family in Crisis (1985) drama in role as Philip Brogan
Silent Tongue (1993) western horror opposite Dermot Mulroney and Richard Harris
Dark Blood (2012) thriller opposite Judy Davis and Jonathan Pryce
TV Shows
He was nominated for the Young Artist Award for Best Young Actor in a Drama Series for his role as Guthrie McFadden in CBS musical series Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1982-1983).
Celebrity (1984) NBC drama series in role as Jeffie Crawford
He was nominated for the Young Artist Award for Best Young Actor in a Family Film Made for Television (shared with Joaquin Phoenix) for his role as Brian Ellsworth in ABC anthology series Afterschool Special (1984) in episode "Backwards: The Riddle of Dyslexia".
He played Robert Kennedy, Jr. in miniseries Robert Kennedy & His Times (1985).
He was nominated for the Young Artist Award for Best Young Actor Starring in a Television Special or Mini-Series for his role as Philip Brogan in ABC television film Surviving: A Family in Crisis (1985).
He portrayed Chris Benfield in CBS television movie Circle of Violence: A Family Drama (1986).
Facts
He never attended formal school.
He was also a singer, songwriter and an guitarist.
He recorded an album "Never Odd or Even".
He wrote, recorded and performed song "Lone Star State of Mine" in movie The Thing Called Love (1993).
Older brother of actor Joaquin Phoenix.
Featured in music videos for:
Ben E. King "Stand by Me" (1986)
Red Hot Chili Peppers "Breaking the Girl" (1992)
Was a vegetarian.
Was a best friend with Keanu Reeves.
He disliked flying.
He was a animal rights, environmental and political activist.
He won PETA Humanitarian Award in 1992.
River died on October 31, 1993, West Hollywood, California, United States, at the age of 23.
Relationships
He dated Samantha Mathis (1992-1993), Suzanne Solgot (1989-1993) and Martha Plimpton (1986-1989).