River Phoenix

River Phoenix was an actor best known for his roles in Stand by Me, Running on Empty and My Own Private Idaho. River was the eldest of five siblings, including actor Joaquin Phoenix. Raised in a nomadic, unconventional household, his family lived in various countries before settling in Los Angeles.

Phoenix began acting in commercials and television in the early 1980s, with early appearances in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and Family Ties. His breakthrough came at age 15 with the role of Chris Chambers in Stand by Me (1986). In 1988, he received critical acclaim and an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Running on Empty (1988).

Phoenix continued to build his career with notable roles in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989), where he played young Indiana Jones, Dogfight (1991), My Own Private Idaho (1991) and Sneakers (1992). In addition to acting, he was the frontman of the band Aleka’s Attic and was known for his activism in environmental and animal rights causes.

Phoenix dated actress Martha Plimpton during the late 1980s. The pair split in 1989 but remained friends. In 1993, he moved on with Samantha Mathis.

The actor died on October 31, 1993, at age 23 after a drug overdose.