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Remembering River Phoenix: A Tragic Life Cut Short 30 Years Ago
31 Oct
Summary
- River Phoenix died from a drug overdose outside The Viper Room in 1993 at age 23
- His family has kept his legacy alive through humanitarian awards and honoring his activism
- Several acclaimed actors credit Phoenix as their inspiration

It has been more than 30 years since the tragic passing of acclaimed actor River Phoenix. On October 31, 1993, the 23-year-old collapsed outside the West Hollywood nightclub The Viper Room and died from a drug overdose. At the time, Phoenix's career was just starting to take off, with breakout roles in films like "Stand by Me" and "Running on Empty."
In the years since his untimely death, Phoenix's family has worked to keep his legacy alive. His mother, Arlyn "Heart" Phoenix, recently shared a photo of her late son, honoring his caring nature and his role as a "voice for the voiceless." Phoenix's brother, Joaquin, has also spoken about his sibling's profound influence, describing him as a "guiding light" in the family.




