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“It was only because of River’s encouragement - and his memory - that he decided to really go for it,” the indie producer explained. He had a scene-stealing role as the troubled Gary in 1989’s “Parenthood,” a film directed by Ron Howard, then took a prolonged break from Hollywood.īut after his brother’s death, a switch flipped.
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He’s just always afraid of revealing his hurt.”Īs a kid, Joaquin wasn’t all that serious about acting, despite small roles on TV shows like “Hill Street Blues” and “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. “It has a lot to do with how intensely private he is and how he tries to keep every aspect of his personal life secret. “The night River died is forever burned into Joaquin’s consciousness,” said an independent film producer who’s worked with Joaquin and known him for many years. River (on the top bunk) with a young Joaquin in 1985. “Get over here please, please, cause he’s dying, please!”īy the time paramedics arrived, River was no longer breathing. “He’s having seizures!” Joaquin can be heard crying while River convulsed in front of the Viper Room, the Sunset Strip nightclub co-owned by Johnny Depp. It was actually young Joaquin, only 19 and then still known as Leaf - a name he’d given himself - who made the infamous 911 call on Halloween 1993.
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When he died at just 23, River Phoenix had already been a bona fide movie star for seven years, lighting up the screen in such films as “Stand By Me,” “Running on Empty,” “Mosquito Coast” and “My Own Private Idaho.” He wasn’t supposed to overdose on cocaine and morphine on a Hollywood street corner. “I think that’s when we’re at our best: when we support each other … When he was seventeen, my brother wrote this lyric: he said, ‘Run to the rescue with love, and peace will follow.’” I’ve been cruel at times, hard to work with, and I’m grateful that so many of you in this room have given me a second chance,” he said, choking back tears. “I have been a scoundrel all my life, I’ve been selfish. With Joaquin’s Academy Awards acceptance speech this past February, the public got a glimpse into his inner life when, after 30-plus film roles and three previous nominations - he took home his first Oscar, as Best Actor for “Joker.” Last month, Mara gave birth to the couple’s son, River - named for Joaquin’s late brother. He’s even a mystery to himself.” Actress Rooney Mara and Joaquin Phoenix. Many of his co-stars never even get to know him! I think he enjoys being a mystery.
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“But Joaq hates interviews, distrusts media, has a small tight-knit group of friends, rarely goes out - he doesn’t even relish rehearsing with other actors. “He’s one of the most intense and best actors of his generation,” said a screenwriter who’s known him a long time. But then, privacy has always been one of the younger Phoenix’s hallmarks. The baby’s existence was revealed by documentary director Victor Kossakovksy at the Zurich Film Festival on September 27, when Joaquin - an executive producer on Kossakovksy’s documentary on farm animals, “Gunda” - couldn’t attend. “Whenever his brother’s name is mentioned, Joaquin’s face goes far-away looking. “River is the largest influence, to this day, on Joaquin’s life,” said one Hollywood casting director who’s worked with him over the years. The baby’s namesake, of course, is Joaquin’s big brother, actor River Phoenix, who tragically died in 1993. While they have kept the birth date of their first child top secret - and, in fact, still have yet to confirm the news - it was no surprise to anyone who knows Joaquin Phoenix, 45, that he and his 35-year-old fiancée, actress Rooney Mara, named their first son River.
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