'Guiding light' River Phoenix remembered in emotional posts by mother and sister on his 52nd birth anniversary
On what would have been his 52nd birthday, late actor River Phoenix's mother and sister shared heartwarming posts on Instagram. Older brother of 'Joker' actor Joaquin Phoenix, River starred in several movies and also had a musical career in alternative rock and folk rock before his death.
A budding actor, who began his professional career in television as a 10-year-old, River Phoenix (born, River Jude Bottom) would grow up to be an outstanding actor and musician. His middle name 'Jude' came from the iconic Beatles' song. The talented star's journey was, however, tragically cut short at the age of 23 when he died of complications that arose due to drug abuse.
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River's mother, Arlyn 'Heart' Phoenix shared a black and white photograph on Instagram, remembering her son on his birth anniversary. Her caption recounted the events of his birth, "On August 23, 1970, at 12:03 PM in a little town called Madras in Oregon, I became a mother. 52 years ago I experienced a LOVE beyond all of my understanding which transformed my life and multiplied in and out of my being." The mother-of-four also revealed how deeply affected she was by her eldest son's passing. "During the past years since I have posted on Facebook, I have shared how deeply his life and passing affected me. He remains a guiding light on my pathway forward," she said.
Taking inspiration from her late son's music years after his death, she says, "When I am reminded of the lyrics to a song River wrote at 15, "RUN TO THE RESCUE WITH LOVE AND PEACE WILL FOLLOW", I am ever grateful for this inspiration which is foundational to the work of The River Phoenix Center for Peacebuilding!"
Another touching tribute was shared by his younger sister Rain. Wishing her older brother on his birthday, the actress wrote, "Happy birthday River 💙 ‘I’m only as good as your friendship has made me…" She then turned to the words of the nineteenth-century philosopher, Henry David Thoreau, borrowing his words to express a message for her late brother. The quote reads, "On the death of a friend, we should consider that the fates through confidence have devolved on us the task of a double living, that we have henceforth to fulfill the promise of our friend's life also, in our own, to the world."
A "guiding light" in their lives, River is best known for his work in films such as the 1986 coming-of-age movie 'Stand By Me', the 1988 drama 'Running on Empty' and 'My Own Private Idaho' (1991). He was in talks to sign several important films with notable filmmakers before his untimely death, which would have made him one of Hollywood's biggest stars.