it doesnt matter how he died but that hes gone forever and alls we need to do is keep him alive in our hearts thats what he wanted im sure...he was a cool dude and i would only hope to be half the man he was...REST IN PEACE!!!!

thats the response i was looking for. IM GLAD UR NOT A LITTLE SHITHEAD UNLIKE SHAGGMASTER!

Actually it does matter how he died. He died in a pool of his own vomit with an incredibly large amount of illegal narcotics in his system, which leads me to believe that he was heavy drug user, which means he was a druggie, which means I should probably not worship or heap praise upon him. How we live our lives is who we are. Our inner spirits are reflected in our external actions. This goes for River too. I don't think River was very good person. A great actor?...perhaps. a great person?...no. A great role model?...no.

I would hope that you really don't want to be half the man that a drug addict was. Let's be careful about who we praise.

Shagg,

For someone who claims to think as poorly of River Phoenix as you do, you are CONSTANTLY on this message board. I think you must just be one of those people who loves to argue. People like that are just a worthless waste of time, in my opinion. Don't you have anything better to do?

Maybe you should go google yourself another hangout...you know, maybe a website about a person that YOU admire. We fans of River's would all be grateful.

-H

exactly right..shag ur pissin me off, get ova urself. And for ur info jiggyjam, he collapsed on a sidewalk and he vommitted in the bathroom, not of the sidewalk, and he wasnt vommiting once he got outside! so he did NOT die in a puddle of vommitt!

I can tell that as you begin to think about it, River's lifestyle is beginning to bug you. I just don't see how you people can selectively choose the good things about him and ignore the bad. And the bad were REALLY bad!

Whether or not he literally died in his own vomit is not the point. The point is that he was vomitting the numerous drugs from his body the night he died. This usually happens to druggies when they OD. Please, please, please don't praise drug addicts!

Ew - for the faint at heart, just don't read this ...okay? Okay ....

"Frothing" ( or the less dignified "foaming at the mouth") always occures during a seizure to some degree whether drug overdose or epilectic. It's a natural response that occurs with the body, and other parts of the body that need not be mentioned. No doubt, there was "frothing" going on during this seizure. That, collectively with the vomiting that occured in the bathroom only a couple of moments prior most definetly occured. You didn't have to actually witness the seizure to put these two together.

I'm with Jiggyjam - stop praising drug abusers. If you do, you may as well have a Mardi Gras for the supplier when your loved one dies because of it. Sad.

JiggyJam - you've taken alotta heat because of your bold statements. It hits people hard - I know that! But it's reality, and needs to be mentioned. Word.

OK BY ALL MEANS DONT PRAISE DRUG LORD....NEVER EVER NEVER EVER EVER EVER! I AGREE, ITS A BAD BAD BAD THING! DONT DO IT..BBLA BLA BLA! U GUNNA SHUTUP NOW JIGGYJAM, CUZ IM SO OVER YA SNIDE COMMENTS

I would never praise a drug user, per se. I just believe that if someone uses drugs, that's not necessarily all they are as a person. I don't have to praise a lifestyle to appreciate someone's craft. If my favorite painter turned out to be a crystal queen, does that automatically make his paintings poor in quality? Absolutely not. That's all I think Ally and are trying to project. We appreciate River Phoenix as a humanitarian and an actor. We mourn his loss. We wish he would have chosen another path. In as far as I praise his work, I suppose I am praising a drug user. I do not, however, praise drug USE. I believe there's a difference.

Hey Heather-

I could go with that . This is what "RP" corrected me on yesterday, and looking back over my post I see exactly how my post didn't quite say what I meant.

Image, image, image. Every breath you take in Hollywood is all about image. Forget about being yourself! River was certainly an advocate for PETA, the Rain Forest, things like that. But PETA and Rain Forest speeches alone does not make a career in Hollywood. Cheesy pin-ups do, though! Cut a quickie album or CD, make a controversial film and hey - that's money in the bank! To Hollywood execs - I honest to God believe that they just don't care about the REAL image of the celebrity, but the money they make because of them. Case in point (again!) "The thing called love". That movie was released a few months after River died - the following Spring I think? And it is a sad, painful, final epitaph for Phoenix. Personally - I don't think it should have ever been released. But yeah, I saw it, I've even rented it a couple of more times since then. And all that is, is more money in the bank for execs. Pitiful.

There IS more to the addict, celebrity addicts and street addicts alike. The crash from the high is a dreadful realization when you feel worthless, stupid, and good for nothing. Even if you have all the fame in the world. But, a celebrity can get all the help they need for their addiction. The street urchin is a throw away statistic buried in the potters field. Sadly, I think celebrities build themselves up too much (with the help of Hollywood, of course) and truly believe that their addiction is better than that of the street urchin.

Here's a test - Go to Findagrave, and check out all of the celebrities who have died from alcohol and drug related tragedies. Now make a list with the same amount of people in your own major cities who have died for the same reasons. I'll bet ya a whole dollar none of us could match the same amount of people. Crazy thing is - Major cities are bigger than Hollywood, and deaths occur at (my guess) twice the rate than that of Hollywood.

See what I mean? Image, image, image. Unless you make a name for yourself in some video or movie, nobody really cares it seems. But all of those "no name" street urchins were once a baby too, full of life and ready to grow. And in the end, an overdose lays you on the same cold slab as the celebrity, I don't care what kind of "Artist" they were.

A celebrity dies of an overdose - and we praise their "Art". A street hustler dies of the same addiction, and they are forgotten. Our country has a SERIOUS problem.

ICU,

I definitely see your point. Truly. Here's one of the problems about the Hollywood celeb/anonymous street hustler drug addict difference. In the town (OK, it may actually qualify as a village) in which I live, street hustlers just plain don't exist. While that is definitely a plus in many, many ways (ask the area realtors), the drawback is that it is entirely possible that our area youth may be solely exposed to images of drug use and drug addicts via television and movies. Isn't it frightening to know that many times, the only "answers" that a teenager will receive in their quest for knowledge in regard to the serious issues that now face them is an actor's, writer's or director's interpretation?

Don't get me wrong. I LOVE the movies. Many television shows are "must sees" to me. However, I would never propose to let my 6 year old son begin taking in his "life lessons" by tuning into a TV show or the latest Van Sant flick. Don't get me wrong, I love Mr. Van Sant's work, but these are just not the folks who should be doling out words of wisdom or advice to OUR children. It is we, the PARENTS who need to let our kids know drugs WILL in fact kill you, not Andy Sipowicz or Julian from Less Than Zero. Over and over, ad nauseum, until they can recite it in their sleep, DON'T DO DRUGS. Don't, Don't, DON'T!

The bottom line is I agree with you. Each of those lost to drugs is a loss of equal proportion. Every life IS indeed precious (with a few exceptions, but for now I digress....). However, I think what you may read as apathy from society to the nameless, faceless many of "street folk" lost to drug sickness is simply underexposure. Someone dead or dying who is a "regular joe" like you and me probably doesn't seem important to TV execs trying to boost their ratings, dig? If it were Emmanuel Lewis, on the other hand (just a zany example for illustration, people.....I don't need backlash from all the Webster fans out there) and they were lucky enough to have a juicy yet morbid photo or video clip to accompany the story, you can bet it would be plastered on all 3 major networks, MTV, VH1, E! and every other station that could get their disgusting fingers on it, not to mention the AOL and MSN home pages, pagers, well, you get the picture...

Right on, ICU. Great post. Perhaps some others on here will glean at least a little something from your words of wisdom. There's always hope, right?

thats wha i meant. I dont praise druggies, but i praised River fr the possitives, ad i dnt think we shud hold it against him. Im not holding him using drugs aganst him. I do know the neggatives about drugs and i will never use them, andi dont think its right to take them! It does not make you smarter, it does not make u look smarter, it doesnot make you "cool",and it dosent give you a good image! But it also isnt good to desert someone when they are reaching out for help and they want to stop the addiction.

Heather & Ally -

Both of you guys ROCK !!!!

Now see, both of you guys get it .... a few others I've met get it, but for the most part, why don't our youth get it? I honestly gotta say that I've seen this pattern progress - more so in the past few years than ever. I never in my life thought it would be part of my job to remind children and young adults alike in the schools, that Hollywood is just that - HOLLYWOOD . It's make believe - it's fantasy - It's NOT real. (This week is D.A.R.E. week do you guys have D.A.R.E?)But their problems, just like you and I, ARE real. We shouldn't PRAISE them in their demise if/when that should happen.
But rather learn where NOT to make the same mistakes. It's like they think, if I am anorexic, I could be like Mary Kate/Ashley. If I'm a depressed musician, I could be like Kurt Cobain. If I pack a 9 and drink a 40 oz., I could be like Mastah P. and C. Murder (which btw, rapper C. Murder is jailed because for - you guessed it - murder)

Glad you guys know this - just do me a favor and never loose sight of it. Cool, cool, cool.

My husband and I made a joke recently that Hollywood should have the "Addict Awards" instead of the Academy Awards - but I was in a bad mood when I said it, and it was a rotten thought of me regardless .

Word to you both .

lol, thank you ICU, yo rock too. But the stuff you sa makes way more sense that i say, and better spoke too ..lol.
The thing about the awards gave me a laugh...lol. Good one..Im not going to forget about what i belive in, and the points we have made, and i guess, i can kinda call u and Heather "friends"i have made. I will go on to belive about what we have written on tis board until i forget about hollywood!....FAT CHANCE! lol, therefore i wont forget
ope ur well, and i wont write back til friday becuase im goin away in less than an hour..
Cya

Hey Ally!

I hope your trip is a good one and see you back here soon!

Forget about about Hollywood? NEVER . America's been through too much in the past few years - we need something to give us a good laugh and an escape from reality from time to time .

I pulled a "River" a couple of days ago . My family and I were driving home - pouring rain at that. When we came around a curve in the area we live (sparsely populated) we found an abandon puppy, poor thing, a female. She stood right in the middle of the road and was not gonna leave out of our sight (not that I would let her). We call her "Mira" short for Miracle because we really had no intentions of leaving out that day because of the weather but decided to at the last minute. Not to mention she has worms and mange. But we ARE fixing her up . She looks better already! It's gonna take a while to get all of her coat back (it fell out in patches because of the mange), and the worms we are treating as well. She looks to be about 3 months old, markings of a Rottweiler mix, and lovable! She has kind of a bald head, and her ears are starting to point upwards, so she sorta looks like Yoda.

Okay, well Cheers for now and see you soon!

I read every post here about River's death. I wonder....what made any of you experts or even know what you are speaking about? Did you read all this info? Mag? Paper? Gossip?

None of you were there...so none of you know what your talking about. I am in the entertainment business and
I will not disclose who I am. I knew River but I was not at the club that night so I don't know what happened. Only a few do.

My point is....Nobody has the right to say anything either way. It's nobodies business.

That my friends is the truth.

Thanks so much for your input, Leevi. I'm glad that you check out all of the posts here. However, I disagree with you. Quite a few of us know a little bit about River. I won't say I'm expert of any sort, but I will say that I have taken in pretty much every nugget of information about River Phoenix that I could get my hands on since 1986. Though I wouldn't dare claim to be his #1 fan, I feel that years of appreciating his work and humanitarianism does qualify me to my own opinion about him.

Like everyone else, I'm more than convinced not all of the info given out about River by the media is fact, but hey, is it ever? This board is for discussion about River Phoenix, not for the education of the masses. It seems that there are a few pieces of information which are indeed factual: River was a talented actor, a dedicated vegan and a young man who left us too soon due to a drug overdose. I don't believe any of these facts are in question. Are those the "truths" you were asking about?

Believe me, I do understand your point. We didn't know River as a person, no. No one can say just what was going on in River's head in the days and weeks leading up to his death. That is where the speculation comes in. I'm not sure how being in "the entertainment business" is relevant to your stance, but hey, it seems it was important for you to convey that to us for some reason. We post here to offer our OPINION, not to write a River Phoenix biography....there are more than a handful of those on the market already. I am thankful to have a place to speak (or type) my mind with others who find the subject matter interesting. I am thankful to those who have helped me see certain things in just a little different light. That is the ultimate purpose of a message board.

For my part, Leevi, I hope you'll keep coming back and offering your opinion, just like the rest of us.

-H

Heather, you put those statements perfectly !

Now I'll chime in ...

Heather you said, and as mentioned by Leevi;

"I'm not sure how being in "the entertainment business" is relevant to your stance, but hey, it seems it was important for you to convey that to us for some reason."

Leevi, I don't believe that your name means "big bucks" in the entertianment industry, because you appear to be the only person "in the entertainment busines" who WON'T give out there name .

I've seen too many arists & performers working from playhouses to restaurants who are just dying to give out their resume and headshots to anybody who will pay them any attention (and even some of those who don't). And the BIG money makers are so far over little message boards on the web that if they really were "SOMEBODY" they'd give their name freely for clout. Sorry fella - you've done neither. Next ???

In closing, Leevi you say:

"It's nobodies business."

Ahem ..... River Phoenix MADE it our business. NOT by being a celebrity. But because he used his celebrity status to gain a favorable opinion for organizations of environmental health and purity. He died with multiple drug intoxication, the same drugs that pollute the body and environment around us, and had been a user of drugs and a smoker for quite a few years. He polluted his own body, along with the second hand smoke, not to mention made quite a living for the supplier he bought from.

" That my friends is the truth." (Quote by Leevi)

You said it, not me .

You go, ICU!

"I get by with a little help from my friends......"

-H

u 2 just cease to amaze me! You know s much, and show it without looking like "know it all idiots"! And the quote ICU said, about Rive making it our buisness is 110% correct. If you were in the "entertainment buissness"(doubtful.......very doubtfull), i really dont think you would bother to come on this website, let alone have to time to write on a message board ,which by the way, you think is a load of rubish with people who think te know it all! We came on this message to discuss the facts we know, and even if they were wrong, we can still talk about what we think is right and what isnt! mean, come on, even if we were wrong, you still shouldnt be critisising us, and saying that we know nothing,when im pretty sure pretty much everyone knows somethinga bout what happened to River, and even Rio's family members and friends have stated what happened, so unless they are lying, we are going with what we know and wha we have read!
thank you!

Ally! You said:

"If you were in the "entertainment buissness"(doubtful.......very doubtfull), i really dont think you would bother to come on this website, let alone have to time to write on a message board ,which by the way, you think is a load of rubish with people who think te know it all!"

And Ally, YOU always amaze me with your rock solid points!

It never ceases to amaze Me, however, how many people come on this board claiming to be a relative, friend, etc - but refuse to give out a name? What the h*ll?

*I'm sure River's touched.*

You want to defend him (hey - I don't blame you - we ALL do!), but your claims to fame in association with River and his brilliance thereof are simply not good enough to give out your name or some clout? Are you kidding me?

I have to laugh out loud right now (in America) because every actor/actress trying to make their weight in salt is putting their name and face on an illness, political candidate, worldwide hunger and genocide. And somehow, some of these "relatives" or "friends" claiming River for themselves have missed the boat - why is that?

If he were my kid? Some stupid sleezy drug dealer gets my kid drugs, then makes a living keeping them hooked? The whole WORLD would know who I am. I'd never let 'em forget it. You BET they'd know who I am.

Well, as this is the internet and people are "Nuts", not giving a name on the net is for safety for most of us. As far as all the so called people who claim to be friends or relatives of the Phoenix family, it is possible to come up upon this site, and some of the family have seen it like myself. That is reality.

I have been sick reading this stuff about my cousin. Do you not realize that talking about someone like this and the neagtive comments are so disrespectful as he is now dead. LET HIM REST! I will not stop trying to get this forum closed as it is disgusting. Some of you seem very nice and I apprecite the kind words and love you have expressed, but some of the stuff being spoken about needs to be stopped.

you seem vey nice too,and i have nothing neggative to say about Riv, as i am such a big fan, we are simply sticking up for Rio if anything!I mean, We werent saying we didnt belive YOU when you said that you were a relative, if anything, i belive what yo say, but we are talking about the people who are lying and who make it very obvious that they are lying......not you RP, ok!

Thank you Ally! I was not concerned about the comment refering to me as I am a 30 year old woman who loved this man and will not stop until this is stopped. This site may have started out with good intentions but it has taken a bad turn.

I will say this, I think his drug use and death can be an example of what not to do. Rio had a problem and was ill, but was / is still a magnificant person. I just spent a few days with his Brother because it was his Birthday, and he had to see him die that night on the street 11 years ago which still gets to him today. This is a private matter and is so painful for him and should not be spoken about by people that do not know what happened. Unless you were there that night, what you know is only what the media wrote. The facts gathered by upset, drunk, drugged out people in a club.

fair enough! I pray that God is with you and your'e family at this hard time. I love the thought tha without the drugs, River was the person all theguys wanted to be, wanted to look like, and everyone else wished they had the same lovng qualities!I know i do!I mean, how many people have those qualities like caring, compassionate,loving, ect, jees, if there were more people like iver and his family, people would be so much kinder to eachother! Thats what this world needs right now, for everyone to look after eachother!

omg i cant believe that under 3 hours its the annivesary or River's death! I am really emotional right now! But then again, arent we all?

btw over here its 10:10 pm so not 3 like 4 hours or something....hope ur all well!

RP,

I DO hear hear what your saying. You LOVE River now as you did the day he was born, I can dig that! Personally, I think it's impossible to not love him to some degree whether fan or otherwise.

As far as giving a name - I mentioned in an earlier post, that a "Public Statement" or "Press Conference" can do a world of good. ESPECIALLY from family. This was mentioned to another poster claiming yet again, some kind of relation to the actor, but his/her post had very little to go one. Much different from yours I might add. But River, as all actors do, make a living in the public eye. With agents and studios to back them up in all endevours. I rarely if ever believe a poster who comes on board claiming authenticity - but have never given a public statement or press conference concerning the actor or "cause" to begin with. Behind my little screen name "ICU" I could claim fame to a million people by now. So can you. So can we all.

An actor's job (like it or not) is public appearances. They simply cannot make a living without television, news, theaters, public interviews, etc. And as hard as it is to understand, some of the public do feel they have a right to every breathing moment of their lives. I am not one of them. But again as mentioned, River did indeed use his fame to gain attention for many earth and body conscious organizations. With that being said, can you see how his untimely death left a big hole in the minds and hearts who truly appreciated his work and efforts as a human being? He was a great example for the environment, but we know how his story ends, which is one of the reasons why I personally look at Hollywood as a big joke. Of course I love the movies - that's my escape. But take an actor or actress seriously for a cause (anymore?). Nope, Uh uh. Don't think so. If Phoenix had been an actor who had no problem executing his party lifestyle to the masses (Belushi or Farley) I'd say, as many did, we could have expected this tragedy to happen. River did not make it publicly obvious of his problem, and hid it quite well, all the while encouraging the public to be conscious of their body and world the same. But he, Farley, Belushi all died the same tragic way. Do you see how so many fans were left with a less than lovable opinion of himself?

Only as a fan, but personal experience in this mortal coil of drug abuse an overdoses that I see time and time again -it is my personal belief that if River could speak for himself now, he'd try to tell the world what NOT to do. Bring it "Full Circle" - where he saw the downfall coming, and what he should have done to avoid dying. Unlike Heart Phoenix public statement many years ago of blaming the goverment, the environment, the Gulf war, and all that other jargon.

RP - I "am" that goverment that Heart Phoenix spoke of as helping cause her sons death. (Please refer to the "Manifesto" she wrote as her public statement following her sons death) I was in that "Gulf War" when I was 19 (USN). I am still in law enforcement today. If River could speak for himself now, knowing what he does, I'll bet you my badge he would say something like: "To thine own self be true" - don't do the drugs - get help - come out to your family - get the support you need - be productive - save your life while you can. I truly believe that is what he would want to say.

But what were we, the public and/or fans, the people he made a LIVING from left with? WE, according to Heart, were to blame for his death. Society - goverment - pollution. In the words of the infamous John McEnroe - you have GOT to be kidding me . Talk about disrespectful. Psh. No one is to blame for Rivers death except River - and quite possible the producers who saw this coming. Not to mention the dealer, but the family didn't want to press charges - right? Right. The family did not want to seek an investigation over the photo of River at rest, right? Right. And his addiction was not his own to take responsibiltiy for, it was the goverment, pollution, and Gulf War, right? Right.

No doubt, if the public knew of his addiction prior to his death - it would have been the end of his lifestyle and/or image. And he knew it too. Otherwise, he wouldn't have kept his addiction a secret from you - his family - his fans - his causes - his world.

In all due respect RP, his death left many questions to those who truly believed in him. Matters were made worse when Heart Phoenix publicly announced (her statements) how "society" was to blame. He died a dreadful death, society was to blame, and after all of that the family wants him to rest in peace? Okay - I could go for that. But I will never take responsibilty for his death. Nor will pollution. Nor will the goverment, nor will the Gulf War. I may have been a fan - but I have no control over his choices. Neither did anyone else. River and only River did this terrible thing to himself. And after the whole facade he displayed - he still has fans today.

Just like River - I have a lot of good to offer. I keep kids away from violence as much as possible, and take the dealer in at any cost (even if that means risking my own life). I have given CPR till I MYSELF am blue in the face. I've helped grab the unconscious out a car before it blows, I've had to T-Bone the car jacker before they kill someone else on the road. And after all that, what am I to many? A PIG, A NARC, The HEAT. Lovely. So to answer you - do I know what it's like to come across something evil, dreadful, and down-right hateful on the web? You bet I do! I live it and breath it every single day. So do my kids. So do these guys on this board. So does everyone I know.

Hollywood, RP, DOES NOT make someone invincible to society's pitfalls. There's no "get out of the public eye" card because one is a celebrity. Even though I am sure that's what they want to believe. Never has - never will. God Bless. And truly - Good Luck .

nice

Thanks Ally - but waaaay to long winded, my post.

When it comes to my job, I guess I've never gotten complacent or lost my passion for it.

Just wanted to convey the point that I do know how it feels to do your job, & do it well, and in the end STILL be portrayed as some low-life slob with no heart, beating up and threatening innocent people, eating donuts all day long, and taking my time in response to a call. Again, thats TOO much television at work - and not enough REALITY.

In our job, we can't afford to let emotion noodle our backbone. Just because I can speak about the crudeness of the drug underbelly, does not mean I don't care. I think you know that already . Thanky .

heheh yer i realised. Lol, And the points you make are so well explained and so true...well done. Maybe ...yer it is a trek to read but oh well! lol! Im pretty sure, that without meeting you ICU and our dear friend Heather, i have a fare idea what you are like, but of course it cannot be 100% right LOL!
anyway, wbs

Yeah, where is Heather? Let's give her a shout, shall we?

*Yooooooooooo hooooooooooooooooo!*

There - that should do it! I hope she's not sick . You with your bleeding leg, me with my itch mites from the stray puppy, we make a motley bunch indeed. (snicker!)

Hiya My Fellow Posters!

Sorry I was away for a few days....

Loved your post, ICU. I must admit that I didn't agree with all of the statements that Heart made after River's death. I do, however, question one thing: how much of it did she REALLY mean?

Speaking as a mother, I would be completely incapable of thought at the loss of my first born. Heart knew that River was using and confronted him about it in early 1993, if my memory serves me. She knew what the score was, as did many of his fans by this point. I think, as a mother, that even though I consider myself level-headed and educated, the first action I would take upon finding out that my 23 year old son was dead would be to start looking for someone to blame. I, too, think it's bizarre that River's family never pressed charges against the dealer who gave River the drugs that night. In hindsight, though, it is probably their way of not shelving the blame on this man alone. Though I love and appreciate the man as I do, the responsibility of River's death lies with River. No mom likes to see her child make a mistake. I sure don't. Don't you think that she was feeling some guilt at not being able to impress upon her child all the "just say no" way of life? I know I would have felt lower than dirt. Perhaps she did as well.

It was no secret that River was using drugs. One need only watch The Thing Called Love to see what a downward spiral River was on. It was very hard to watch River grow into a handsome and ever talented young man, then watch him roll over the crest of the mountain and begin to bottom out on the downhill slope. It also was no secret that he was never comfortable in the role of the traditional celebrity. Who blames him? While fame is the card actors are dealt if they are worth their salt, I can assure you that it is quite a price to pay in the long run. I firmly believe that some people simply cannot hack the constant camera flash in the face, the over-zealous paparazzi bullshit that comes with celebrity. I wouldn't want someone sifting through my trash or harassing my relatives for infomation either. River was most definitely one of these people. Even as he lay dying on the sidewalk on Halloween night, he summed up his stance on the press with his dying breath. "No photographs. I want anonymity." Quite frankly, he was too good a man for the press to write stories about, until his unfortunate passing. Then they, as per usual, swooped in like greedy vultures to each have a turn at ripping pieces from his his family, his friends and his good name. As a journalist, I must say that I am truly ashamed at the lengths that my constituents will go to "get the scoop". Journalists are low lifes for the most part, desperate whores who would sell their souls to anyone who can help them get the jump on the rest of the media. Sickening, really. Sickening and pathetic group of individuals.

People constantly refer to River as "that actor guy who died of an overdose". That never ceases to piss me off. How about "that guy, who when he stopped at a friend's house and found his refrigerator empty, left without a word and returned with bags of groceries to help him out"? How about "the guy who cared so deeply for animals that he wouldn't eat them, wear them or support organizations who systematically destroy them"? How about "the actor who was still so well grounded after years in the Hollywood spotlight that he would help the film crew on Dark Blood unpack and put away their gear"? No, you'll never hear him referred to in any of those ways. Why? Because THOSE kinds of facts don't sell magazines or tabloids, do they now?

Anyway, I'll step off of my soapbox now and sum up my post by saying this: River has truly help make me the person I am today. I am now a vegetarian (not quite ready to make the jump to full-on veganism). I've quit smoking for my health (almost 9 months and going strong). I am an active member of PETA and now carefully explore which companies I choose to support with my hard earned dollars. All of this thanks to a young man I never will have the pleasure of meeting. I think that his was a life cut much too short and he will be sadly missed by me for a very long time. Having said that, I am grateful that I shared the earth with this man for just a little while. I will always appreciate River's talent, his love of his fellow man, animals and our planet. I hope his loving soul is now at peace.

Thanks be to you guys for letting my throw in my two cents. I just needed to get this off my chest....tough weekend. Truly, you guys...thanks from the bottom of my heart! I promise my next post will be wistful and brimming with sunshine and happiness!

Heather

Girlfriend, you get on that soap box anytime you want, ya hear? This post is awesome. And for once - I am absolutely (almost) speechless.

Get between my kid and drugs? Any way I can? No question.

lol hope the weekned wasnt too painful. Btw i know why my leg was bleeding, lol, bloody shaver, it kills when that happens lol! I know what u mean with the whole "Speechless" Thing! Heather and ICU, my internet sista's .....u guys rock.
Did Rio ever go into Rehab or something?
I wonder sometimes if he actually wanted to quit the drugs....maybe? maybe not! But all i know is that it is a tragedy to loose such a amazing person!

Hey Ally!

Aaaaahhh - the dreaded dull razor. Not a lady's friend.

You know, I'm so glad you mentioned that .... as far as his friends who "came out" about his drug use - seems they all wanted him to seek help (Flea, Plimpton, Mathis, aminorcon.org). But I don't recall it ever mentioned he actually went into a rehab, but rather kicking it himself?

I think the name "River Phoenix" would be a beautiful name for a tranquil, out of the city, off the beating path rehab center. And made affordable for the everyday people - not just big money celebs. Animals are fantastic therapy for all sorts of ailments. So "people trained" pups, cats, rabbits, horses would be a great addition to how beautiful the earth is - especially when the drug goggles come off. Ah well - just a thought .

I agree, it is abeautiful name, and it suits a rehab, just the name River gives me chills....nice and peaceful!

Hi y'all!

River never entered rehab. As far as I know, the person who had made one of the biggest impressions on him by confronting him about his addiction was Dan Ackroyd. I think that River truly respected him, and if anyone would recognize heroin abuse, it was definitely Ackroyd. It was probably very scary to watch River run head long down the same frightening path as his friend John Belushi.

I hear that River had a hand in helpng many of his own friends kick the drug habit. Seems odd that he couldn't help himself, I know. Some people have a much clearer vision of danger when it involves their friends and family. It's a shame....seems as though River was always there to lend a hand to his fellow man, but couldn't wield that high-toned perception at himself. Makes me very sad.....

Heather

Hethra -

You are so right - I can't believe I forgot about Blues Brother Dan. I mean, geez, you can't get closer to home than that! I guess that's a point I'll try to drive home at any opportunity, so here it is again ....!

Hollywood does NOT make you invincible. I swear to goodness - I am truly under the impression, more now than ever, that celebrities try to get a point across through a candidate or cause, and honestly believe they are immune to the tragedies of life as we know it. Drugs will kill you where you stand - a celebrity's body reacts the same way as the rest of us. It's a pitiful shame that celebrities are encouraged and convinced otherwise .

Just like the "movies" it seems, is how they live their life. Instant gratification, a happily ever after ending in 2 hours, lemme make a controversial movie - but who am I to worry about who it hurts because I have security gates and body guards and assistants around me 24/7 to wipe my butt anytime I please. Do the everyday people of this world have the same luxuries? Absolutely NOT! Don't let the image fool you.

Anybody else get that impression? I mean, I love movies - they are my great escape! But when I see someone like Brad Pitt, all decked out in a suit, tie, stage make-up, peering into a microscope looking at stem cells - PAAALEEEEEEZE!!! My father in law has been battling Parkinsons for well over a decade. Brad buddy - you don't even come close! Michale Fox? Absolutely! And whats his face from 'Punk'd"? Oh yeah - like I really take anything you have to say seriously "poster boy". Hahaha!

You know, I can't even watch a stupid show anymore without some celebrity out there trying to make a point about something that affects MY life, MY children. Sorry Hollywood - I'd rather you not speak for me!

I like the movies, I like entertainment, but that's all it is to me - entertainment. I seriously doubt that "Punk'd" boy or Brad Pitt can truly know the meaning of the everyday struggles of middle-lower class America. But hey -
it gets them some free screen time, doesn't it? Doesn't it? Right. I've got 2 kids that I've been teaching that whining, crying, and stomping their feet will NOT make them get their way. Hard to do when you've got grown adults on the tube doing the same thing. Stupid.

No doubt in my mind whatsoever - if not for the drug dealers buddying up to a celebrity - if not for a facade of fantasy in Hollywood that is VERY far from reality - River would still be here - making a difference, an impact. So would Belushi, Farley. Monroe. Garland.

Okay, I'm off that soap box now.

Hey Heather!

I've been reading your post over and over again - and WOW. Great writing - a lotta heart and soul into it. It says it all .

There is one comment in your post I'll jump on the bandwagon for - but nothing else since you've said it all wonderfully ....

Heather said: "Even as he lay dying on the sidewalk on Halloween night, he summed up his stance on the press with his dying breath. "No photographs. I want anonymity."

Y'know, I remember reading this myself, and whether these were his exact words or not, we'll never know. But he had to have said something along those lines, or his friends did, because the paparazzi surround clubs like this (ESPEIALLY the Viper) like cock roaches. I am amazed, thankful actually, that all of them had the decency, and none of them the gaul, to take photos of this horror going on - right in the middle of a public sidewalk. It would have been perfectly legal if they would have, like it or not - and they probably would have made big bucks in doing so. Thank God they didn't. Having the coffin photo reproduced as it has been was wrong - I agree. But photos of a dieing celebrity go beyond any moral and conscious endevour that I can imagine.

We only need to look at Princess Diana just a few years later to know that the paparazzi has certainly gone over the deep end - and many reporters to boot.

hehe hay .... I SO AGREE! I mean, papparazi are known for their rudeness, and i they cud have just as easily taken heaps of photos of River dying, but thankfully, they showed decenscy