The Phoenix River is a unique Hollywood actor. Indeed, popular publications continue to write about him, despite the fact that the artist passed away more than two decades ago. The creative heritage of a talented guy has a limited number of films. However, most of the actor’s works deserve the attention of the widest audience. We suggest recalling the life, work, personal life and the best films of the Rivera Phoenix.
early years
The river was born on August 23, 1970 in the provincial American town of Madras. The parents of our hero, John and Arlene Bottoma, were of Jewish origin. For a long time, the couple was in the religious sect "Children of God." The family constantly traveled around the world, doing missionary work. Over time, the boy’s parents became disillusioned with the organization’s activities, as sect leaders began to promote radical views.
In 1997, the family settled in Los Angeles. To finally break ties with a past life, Rivera's parents adopted the name Phoenix. The act had a hidden meaning, since the phoenix is a symbol of the start of a new, bright future.
Soon, the boy's father received the position of recruiting agent for filming in projects under the auspices of the popular NBC television channel. Here the head of the family made a useful acquaintance with an employee named Iris Burton, who worked with children. Once a woman noticed hidden talents for acting in the little River Phoenix. Iris invited the guy to take a casting to participate in the filming. Thus, the young man discovered excellent prospects for a career in Hollywood.
Movie debut
On television, the River Phoenix, whose photo is presented in the article, lit up at the age of ten. The debut work for the boy was a small role in the popular series "Fantasy". The guy appeared on the screen with his own sister Raine, performing several songs with a guitar.
The aspiring actor seriously got accustomed to the image of a musician, becoming imitate the manner of Elvis Presley during the castings. The second role in the biography of Rivera Phoenix appeared in 1982: the boy participated throughout the year in the multi-part project “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers”.
The first feature film in which the young actor starred was the picture "Celebrity", which was released in 1984. Here, the River Phoenix played a boy named Jeffrey Crawford. The scene with the artist took only 10 minutes in the timing of the tape. However, the hero of the actor influenced the development of the plot and remained noticed.
First major successes
In 1985, the young River Phoenix loudly declared himself as a talented, promising actor, starring in the successful series "Family Ties." While working on the project, the guy found out what drugs are, addicted to smoking marijuana. Thanks to the growing popularity, the young man began to lead a somewhat wild life.
The River Phoenix received real recognition of film critics after playing one of the central roles in the film "Stay with Me", staged in one of the works of the famous writer Stephen King.
Actor's finest hour
In 1989, the filmography of Rivera Phoenix was replenished with another notable work. The guy took part in the filming of the adventure film “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade”, playing the main character at the age of 13. Then came the role in the sensational comedy film "I Love You to Death."
The actor became truly famous for his work in the film "My Personal Idaho." Here, the artist appeared on the screen along with the famous Keanu Reeves. Young people talentedly revealed the images of the main characters of a shocking story, playing guys who demonstrate contempt for public morality. After the resounding success of the tape, the River acquired the status of a real sex symbol of Hollywood.
Personal life
At the age of sixteen, the actor began dating with partner in the filming of the melodrama "Mosquito Coast" Martha Plimpton. The relationship of the couple lasted about three years. Beloved left Rivera because of the young man's addiction to drugs.
In the early 90's, Phoenix made an affair with the famous actress Susanne Salgot. Young people met for several years. The couple lived for a long time together in the artist’s house. However, on the set of the film “What is Called Love,” which began work in 1993, River got carried away by the partner Samantha Matis. It was this girl who remained a faithful companion of the life of our hero until his death.
Sudden death of an actor
The life of the Phoenix unexpectedly ended in October 1993. The guy played one of the main characters in the adventure western "Bad Blood". After another hard day spent on the set, River went to relax in Johnny Depp's personal nightclub called Viper Room. One of the visitors to the institution suggested that the star of the screen relieve tension with drugs. Using an explosive mixture of heroin and cocaine, the actor felt a sharp deterioration in health. Phoenix fainted. The ambulance delivered Rivera to the nearest clinic. However, the actor could not be saved, despite the efforts of doctors from the intensive care unit.
Social activity
The Phoenix River is known as an ardent animal rights activist. The actor has repeatedly organized social events in support of our smaller brothers. The guy was a member of the environmental organization PETA, regularly allocating funds to protect the environment. One of the most notable actions of the Phoenix was the financing of the action, the implementation of which allowed to redeem more than 300 hectares of forests, which were threatened with destruction in Costa Rica.