River Phoenix

Born: August 23, 1970
Where: Madras, Oregon
Died: October 31, 1993

Phoenix was a gifted and serious young actor who tragically died at the age of 23 outside the Viper Room nightclub in Los Angeles from a drug overdose.

From the mid-80s to the early 90's he took on mostly teen idol roles and became known as one of the Brat Pack, along with Matt Dillon, Tom Cruise and other young actors, some who made the big time and others who disappeared into oblivion.

The product of a nomadic childhood, Phoenix earned his supper singing religious songs in the streets of Oregon at the age of seven, until he won a talent contest and made his TV debut in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.

His feature debut was Explorers, and in 1986 River brought himself international acclaim with an intelligent performance for such a young actor in Stand By Me - which has become a classic of its age.

Other features in Phoenix's list of credits include My Own Private Idaho; Running on Empty and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

Also a talented musician, Phoenix formed the rock band Aleka's Attic with his sister Rain. His other famous siblings are sister Summer, still a reasonably successful actress, and Leaf, now known as Joaquim - an actor of wide acclaim, starring opposite Mel Gibson in sci-fi thriller Signs amongst others.

Phoenix's final screen appearance was in Silent Tongue, which he completed just before his untimely death.