#on river

[Nicki Richesin / Huffington Post, 2012]

“I was watching some River Phoenix movies, because I just sort of wanted to watch him again and I was remembering how beautiful an actor he was. And so, I've been watching some of his films.” — Ewan McGregor in a live conversation with ACE Universe (June 15, 2020)

“A vegan in the day of McDonalds, a pacifist in the era of nuclear weapons.” — Teen Beat [1988]

“As well as his talent and beauty, River was famous for seizing any opportunity to discuss vegetarianism and the environment with often bemused entertainment reporters. [Samantha Mathis] told me that, while River loved the work and the opportunities to talk about his beliefs, he hated the “industry bullshit”, and his relationship with success was complicated.” — The Guardian [Nov, 2019]

— Iris Burton [Agent & family friend, on Japan visit, 1987]

“The star of Stand By Me, The Mosquito Coast, Running on Empty and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade is cast in I Love You to Death as a pizza maker who joins fellow cooks William Hurt and Keanu Reeves in staging attempts on the life of pizzeria owner Kevin Kline, on behalf of Kline’s jealous wife Tracey Ullman. While the picture sounds like a bizarre black comedy, Phoenix sees it as having an “emotional, even moral” resonance. Phoenix’s strong moral point of view can be explained by his “early childhood, growing up around people that were really humble, with a lifestyle that called for a lot of faith, without money…You couldn’t be an asshole.” — River of Dreams [Movieline, Dec 1989]

"I had back surgery on December 2nd of 1991. It was a very painful experience. River came to see me late one night; he kind of snuck into the hospital around 10:30, after visiting hours, with his drummer from his band, Josh Greenbaum. I was trying to stay awake because I knew he was coming, but with the drugs, I was getting really tired. [I kept saying] ‘I have to stay awake, he’s coming.’ I kind of drifted off, and when he came into the room, I instantly woke up. He was standing at the door with his hands over his mouth. He’s like, ‘Oh, my gosh, poor girl.’ He held my hand, and kissed me, it was really nice, you know. He offered to go out and get me food because he knew the hospital food was yucky. ‘Do you want me to go get you something?’ he said. ‘Oh, no.’ He didn’t drive, you know, but he was willing to take a cab around Santa Monica to go get me some food, that’s how he was. He sat with me. We all talked and he drew. He took one of the nurse’s markers, and drew flowers on the IV on my arm. He was probably there for an hour. It was a really wonderful thing for him to do. River was always an amazing person, very generous and sweet. His generosity was overflowing.” — Jennifer Evans (Friend)