My son was born the same month and year that beautiful River passed
away. I will instill the values that River had into my son and I will do
my best to teach him about the negative effects drugs can have on him, I
pray that he listens. Mothers can only try to do their best and sometime
our best still can't save the people we love.
My son is now 6 years old, River would have been 29, 2 years older than
me. I found a scrapbook I made when I was a teen, and as I was looking
through it I bursted into tears, it was all about River and a couple of
other actors, but mostly of him, I adored him as a person, he was
unique, mysterious, and I so wanted to be his wife one day, Didn't we
all........I miss you so much, I think about you often. I loved you for
your hopes and dreams, your eagerness to make it, and your dedication to
the things you believed in. I read every article in teen beat, and every
bit of info, I could take in because you were so intriguing to me. I
will keep my scrapbook with me always, and forever, and help teach my
son about the value of life.
Thank you for being you.
Love, Jennifer
River was beautiful. Beyond male characteristics his lips pursed like an
angels, and his hair shined like champange fire. the seafrost glare of those
translucent eyes sparling across the celluliod.
i too take drugs. too many. And i make music just like him. i even have
cheek bones.
but river was to fragile. too perfect. his slim frame collapsed under the
narcotic pressure...just as mine does when the pills and lines rake the
chemistry of my body. he was destined to fall. We must not make the mistake
of idoloising river too much...
every day people die of drugs. And these people are no less beautiful than
River. Everyone faces a personal tradergy when confronted with this
insumontable evil...
I call to each and everyone of you to think hard about your own beauty, and
the passing winds of time. rember yourself as you rember river and maybe we
can all be forever...
My music is reflection of drug abuse and women in my life. it fits with the
ethos of River and i invite you to join me on my journeys.
Ross Brodie
http://www.acidplanet.com/ArtistDetail.asp?ArtistName=ross+brodie
having read all the comments on the page i would like to say you are all wonderful loyal people. River was a caring , kind, thoughtful, and at times a completely bizarre person (he used to have competitions to see who could balence the most beer glasses on thier heads!) having known him i know for a fact that he truly deserves all the love people still have for him. As short as Rivers life was he did live it to the full. I remember one night we were all out (i was attending a media course in the university of Florida) and that morning had returned from Portland after filming something, it was 3am and everyone was exhausted he was still bursting with energy and said " come on guys life is for living, do I have to go out there and do it all on my f***ing own?" I am not going to lie, i saw him taking drugs, we all had our own minds and we all did it, but we were young and curious and it was all for fun. Riv had a very addictive personality and was willing to try anything once and thats exactly what i liked about the guy, the fact that at times he could be a complete asshole, he was never one of those snobby, stuck up, rich, "hollywood" guys. he was just..normal.
love and peace always man,
Joey.
I just want to say, that Rio still lives. It depends on how you look at the world, if you believe in life after death. I am Wiccan, I believe that all of us live on when we die. I believe that he is still with us looking on in a paralell world, one which his soul is not hurting any more. I believe that he is happy.
PagenQueen
Although i have to say that during his short life, i was not a " crazed Fan" of River's, yet after his death I feel great admiration for what he stood for. The things i will remember him for are not his outer appearance, or whether he qualified as a hottie because i don't think that would be what he would want to be honored for. I honor him for being a generous and caring soul. I honor him for the pain he so obviously went through. I honor his life and his legacy. i think the fact that i'm going in the same direction River was going which led to his death, makes me feel so much more about what kind of person he was. i just wish i could tell him i understand what pain is, i just wish someone could have told him it was going to be alright. but i guess in the end it wasnt. River, may in death you find the peace that in life you could not find.
M.B
If u have any questions e- mail me at violet220@hotmail.com
( added March 2000, 13 )
RIVER WAS A GREAT HUMAN BEING, NO ONE COMPARES TO HIS BEAUTY. HES LUCKY HE GETS TO MOVE ON AND WERE STUCK HERE WITH ALL THE IDIOTS
ABKJ
( added January 2000, 21 )
The first film i saw River in was 'Running on Empty'. This was in 1997. I'd heard of River before and that he died young but i knew nothing about him. When i saw River acting for the first time i was touched and moved by him. There was just something about him. I wanted to know more about him. The more i learnt the more interesting he seemed. He was so intelligent you'd wonder why he took drugs. Maybe he was sick of this world and wanted to die?I'm sorry i wasn't more aware of him when i was alive but i was young then. My friends cant understand my obsession with him. He's dead they say. i know hes dead but it doesnt stop me admiring , respecting and maybe even loving him. He was an amasing actor and person . May he rest in peace and wherever he is let him be happy.
Cara 16yrs old , ireland
I´ve just browsed through the comments, and it made me shiver!...
River, forever!
hi!
today it´s a special day for me, because i think of my favourite actor
in a way, that is different from all my other thougths to him.
i love river phoenix, since i have seen "Jimmy Reardon" and i will
always do.
i hope, he can live a better life now, wherever he might be...
i think, i don´t have to say anything else...
bye says Manu, just a german fan of river phoenix!!!!
( added October 1999, 31 )
Hi,
I just wanted to say I saw the movie Stand By Me for the first time in
1995, and right then and there I loved the movie, but I also loved River
Phoenix. You might be thinking that I'm older but actually I'm only
thirteen and I never knew that River had passed away until my mother
told me last year. I want to say sorry to his family who had to live
with his death, but remember he'll always stand by you, forever.
From an anonymous fan.
that is so weird, I've been trying to figure out info on river phoenix for
years... I am only 13 so I don't remember him, but I've been seeing a few
places and I wish I was the age to have been into him. He is really fine...
I don't think they make guys that fine anymore...
I would like to say that River was the greatest actor who ever lived in my
opinion. I always cried on the movie "The thing called love," it made me
realize things about him. I learned things I never knew from him even though
I never met him. For what I see is that a lot people have loved him and
still grieve over him. I don't think he would have wanted that from us.
Especially the night of his death. He wouldn't want us to pout over him he
would want us to celebrate the life that he had and to celebrate that he's
always among us in his spirit. He's in a better place now to where no pain
is aflected on him. I hope that we may always remember him as the friend,
actor, or brother he was. May he rest in peace, and may we all soon be with
him again.
~Lindsay D.~
Well, it's August 23rd and he would've been 29! The world is a sadder place without you Rio, but you'll live in the hearts of your family, friends and fans forever.
Bella-Nita@excite.com
( added August 1999, 23 )
I'm only 13. I was soo young when River died. I look into his innocent eyes,
and I wonder why he had to do it. Now is August first, and in 22 more days,
he would have been 29. Such a young age. I have only seen him in 'Stand by
Me', and 'Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade'. As soon as I saw him, I was drawn
to him. I HAD to find out more about him. I read all the comments that
people have left, and I am touched. But for all those out there, who say
that it wasn't his fault with the drugs, well, I mean, HE took them. And,
the more he took, the closer to death he was to death. There are so many
talanted people out there, including Hollywood celebs, who are taking these
drugs. Some people just think its for fun, some just don't realize how
serious it is. Who knows, Maybe Rio took these drugs not knowing this, and
maybe he was fed up with this world, who is taking life for granted. If that
WAS the case, instead of what happened, he could of tried to make this wolrd
a better place. When I see tese movies that he's been in, I can feel him,
his words. But then I realize, he's gone, and that's like a stab through the
heart.
Well, We love you River Jude Pheonix. You have touched me. With your work,
the sensitivity, and that innocent look in your eyes. Let me leave you with
a quote "The world you try to escape, is what the human life is" You are and
always will be loved greatly.
Rojan M. Ontario
You can email me at rolo9000@hotmail.com to write about anything about Rio.
RIVER- WHY????
'SHOW ME A HERO AND I WILL WRITE YOU A TRAGEDY'
(SCOTT FITZGERALD)
RIVER WE ALL MISS YOU BUT WHY? WHY CHOOSE DRUGS AFTER ALL YOU STOOD FOR ! I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM ALL RIVER FANS.
I WILL MISS YOU RIO MORE THAN I CAN PUT INTO WORDS.
LOVE SOPHIE XXX
River Phoenix a truly beautiful person in every sense of the word. You will be forever in our hearts, our minds and our lives. You made an indelible mark on our world as no one else has. Wherever you now are I hope you've found the happiness that you couldn't in life.
Love always,
Karlene - Melbourne Australia
hi I am the biggest river fan I know. there is so much about him that people just dont understand. I have loved him for what seems like forever. everything about him was perfect. I loved everything from his blue eyes to his smile to his blond hair. I get very sad thinking of him but I know he is in a wonderful place being what he always wanted to be--free. some people believe that everyone has a soulmate, some people believe you may not meet your soulmate until the after life, I feel river is my soulmate I feel so connected to him in many ways. I love him so much and checking out this site has let me know there are others who love him too. he may be dead in the physical sense but he is still here. he is in all of our hearts. he has given us all a gift. he has opened up my eyes. he is free and so am I.
"there are heroes and there are legends. heroes get remembered but
legends never die."
river, you are a legend. I love you.
- ~ RIVER JUDE PHOENIX ~
- Aug. 23, 1970-Oct. 31,1993
candice hildreth
I'm a 16year old girl from Germany, and I love River Phoenix. Not in the
way, I would love my boyfriend, but in another special way. He was the
greatest actor, the nicest boy and the best environment protector? in
the world. I can't impress my feelings about him, but why do I love the
sneakers, wearing them on my feet? I love them, because I love River
Phoenix. He was wearing special clothes, that says a lot about him and
his character. And why do I love his hairstyle? I'm sorry, saying
something like that about River, but I really think so. I like his
hairstyle, because that was he! And only he! I think, you maybe don't
understand me, but he was an illusion, a dream, a special version of my
life. By wearing his clothes, I'm feeling a little bit like River, even
when I can never be like he.Please try to understand the way I'm
thinking about River. The eternal river flows!
Sabrina
I am a simple fan of River Phoenix, like many others. Many have forgotten
him, I am sad to say, but he lives in all of our hearts. I could never
forget him, the way he touched me with his acting and the way he did
things. He pulled himself up on his own in life and I really treasure that.
He went from just another commoner like me, to someone who did great
things, not only acted in movies, sang, but wanted to change the world and
make it a better place. I've tried to figure out why he died, I still feel
it wasn't his time.
River, it's so hard to believe that you're gone. We miss you, but we can't
change the past, but the present is too hard to understand.
Love,
Vicky.
River touched my heart when I saw him in Explorers he was just a cute little
nerd in that movie, but from that day on I was a fan. The night he died my
cousin called me and we cried for an hour together. Now some people say that
is silly to cry over someone you never even meet or really knew, but I knew
him all right and if I would have ever gotten the chance to meet him I would
have known him even better. I want to thank you for having a page for people
to remember someone as special as he was and to let other people know how he
touched lives and made people realize who River Phoenix really was.
Thanks,
Holly
Dear River;
I can't stop loving you just because your gone. Life seems harder
and more empty every day. You always looked like a god. Now your an
angel. I love you angel; always.
Fabio.
none the less he was obvoiusly quite a talented and seemingly a fine young man.
Darn narcotics
Jimi Hendrix 1942-1970*
Janis Joplin 1943-1970
Jim Morrison 1943-1971**
Elvis Presley 1935-1977
John Belushi 1949-1982
River Phoenix 1970-1993
average age - 29 years 10 months
*Hendrix born in november and died in September
** - Morrison died in july - born in december
Thank you for your time
LWFindley
hey there. i am searching for information about river phoenix's mother, whom i had the pleasure to meet, along with liberty (i believe) back in 1990 or 1991 at an animal rights conference. i would like to raise my kids on a vegan diet, and i thought heart phoenix may have written something about her experience raising all her sons and daughters in this manner. if you don't know anything about this, or a way to contact her (or any of her kids, for that matter), maybe you could just post this message with the hope that one of your readers would. THANK YOU.
elizabeth cummings@cableone.net
River Phoenix was a God. He was such a hottie I feel that he should be remembered for his excellent acting skills and his good looks. Stand by Me is the coolest movie Ever!!!
A Crazed River Fan
hey river,
your free now - and anything good will happen. have a nice day
love ya, alan
since i was 12 i have loved river. i have also been saving money since
then to fly away to meet him personally, now i will donate all this
money to saving the rainforest.
darla (lost in memphis w/out river
forever)
River will always be in our hearts!
To all his fans: Never forget him!
River, I love you now and forever!
Pezi
Like most people I saw River Phoenix for the first time in the film
Stand by Me, everyone loved this film and others loved it more because
they saw the even greater beauty of the film, it had a lot more meaning
than your average movie and people from kids to adults related to it and
its a film that sticks in the mind forever for many. After this I became
a fan and have seen almost all his films. He was an inspiration for many
teenagers who also were in some way different from your average Jo
bloggs as we say in England, he was different and this is what was to
cause him is tragic death in the end. He was I believe angry with the
world and the people around him because of their fu**ing ignorance. He
could not cope with reality any longer it was just to depressing I'm
talking about wars, death, rape, poverty, the destruction of the world. For
many non ignorant people like myself these things are a part of our
lives, it affects us personally. The death of this seemingly great
person can only be blamed on society, society failed him and finally
killed him. It was a great loss to me and to many others, he will be and
is sadly sadly missed.
I just wanted to share the fact, that each Halloween, I think of River
and I say a prayer. I did that last night. I visited the Viper Room a
year after his death and in my half drunken state, I stared at the place
he had died and I prayed that he had passed peacefully. I'm sure that
he will always creep into my consciosness, especially on Halloween and
I welcome it. It reminds me to live well and to take care of myself and
of others. Thank you River.
River, where are you running?
passed the hills of excess,
is where you're flowing.
and it's too late now -for slowing down
So River run, River run
and don't look back.
lisa
This one thirteen yr old said how can you love A dead guy and how she
doubts we realy do, she thinks we only like him for his looks . If she ever
realy loved someone she would no even death cant stand in the way and there
is so much more to him then his looks I dont think she realizes we love him
as a wonderful person rather than a lover.
I know how all you amazing fans feel about him.
I dont think she should question our love for him when she obviously knows
nothing about him or our feelings for him , I bet if she looked deeper into
his life she'd understand its not fancying A dead guy its loving him for who
he was and who he'l always be in our lives.
Joanna - London
gets me upset because he looked so happy at that age.As he got older things
kind of got to him more , in the later movies you can see the pain in his
eyes.
He was a sensetive person he even said he wished he wasnt as consous as he
was.
He struck many people as an ANGEL sometimes Gabriel sometimes Lucifer. Mabey
he was in a way .
Angel or no angel theres one thing im sure of and thats where ever he is now
hes happy and as long as we remember him hel always stay alive.
Joanna- London
I just wanted to include my thoughts on River with fellow fans and people who
loved him. Unfortunately, I didn't know of him, really, until he had passed
away. I find myself being drawn to him more and more each day. Maybe it's a
blessing; I know it must have been terrible on that tragic day to learn of his
loss.
River was so unlike anyone else. He had this severe intensity in his eyes
and his life. I was watching Dogfight, and during one part I just began to
cry because I thought to myself, This ma is dead. He didn't even have a
chance to live.
The only thing I can hope for is that River is finally at peace, and that his
family has found the peace they so deserve.
We miss you River! We'll always love you!
Sara
I watched a documentary on River this week and was inspired to write a
short poem about him. I always admired his talent and beauty, it is so
tragic that his life was shorten by drug abuse. I hope his death is not
taken lightly, I pray that young people will understand that drug abuse
kills. So tragic to see someone so lovely with such a gentle spirit
have little regard for the temple it was blessed with. River was so
devoted to an eco and vegan life style, if he also was devoted to a drug
free life style, our 'River' would still be flowing.
RIO PHOENIX
We watch you grow and we love you so
You say you don't eat meat, but it's OK to fill yourself with treats
So at 23 you are finally free
That Halloween night that cost you your life
Bob Fox
rsfox@pacbell.net
for the River Phoenix Message arena....
I am naked without him. Without him to watch in films, I feel stripped to
the bone. I wanted to see him grow older and have a family of his own. I
wanted to watch him win that Academy Award, and I wanted to hear his band
finally released on compact disk.
He was hope for the underdog. He was the one that listened and saw----he
saw what most people didn't or couldn't see. He touched the hearts and
broke through walls. He had fingers that could gently crack the toughest
precipices.
He cared about the earth and those that suffer.....but people didn't return
his generousity. Too many times he felt betrayed and alone. He died
alone...with his friends gathered around him, unable to save him...and just
like in life, whatever help came, was too little and too late....He slipped
through our fingers and we never had a chance to tell him how much we
admired him.
Dear God, let me never forget his beauty, and never let that poor soul hurt
again.....God Bless you, River....You will have a home in my heart
forever......
"And what have you seen my blue eyed son?"
"I can never win with this body I live in"-Tanya Donnely
"Better they come, better days come"- River Phoenix- "Note to a Friend"
THIS IS THE 2ND TIME IVE SEEN THIS PAGE AND I AM AMAZED AT THE AMOUNT OF
PEOPLE WHO HAVE WRITTEN SINCE THE 1ST TIME. I HAD THOUGHT THAT THE CHANCE OF
A MEMORIAL WAS A WASTE OF TIME BECAUSE I THOUGHT THAT NOT ENOUGH PEOPLE TRULY
CARED ABOUT DEAR RIVER. NOW I SEE THAT IT IS POSSIBLE. I WOULD LIKE TO SAY
THAT I HAVE BEEN A VEGAN FOR NEARLY 3 YEARS AND A VEGETERIAN FOR 12 YEARS.
RIVER HAD A LOT TO DO WITH THESE CHOICES I MADE AND FOR ME HIS LIFE WILL
EFFECT ME FOREVER. I WISH MORE OF HIS REAL FRIENDS WOULD WRITE LETTERS ON THIS
WEB PAGE TO SAY JUST SOMETHING ABOUT RIVER!! THE NIGHT HE DIED I'D LEFT THE TV
ON AND I WOKE UP TO A NEWS REPORT ABOUT HIS DEATH, THE NEXT MORNING I THOUGHT
I HAD A BAD DREAM. I WAS SHOCKED WHEN I HEARD IT WAS TRUE!!
Please dont let his life and death be in vain !!
Chrissy Liverpool England
Well,what else can I say? People from all over the world expressed their
concern about river..All that I can say is that everyday it seems
so hard to believe river is not here..I didn't watch all his movies,
'cause not all are available here,in Italy,but everytime i see his
face on the screen,i can't help but thinking..it's not true,it's not
true..why this could happen,what's the matter? Why he wanted
to be so uncare with himself..I really don't know,probably he had
kinda awful people nearby..nobody tried to help him with his
drug problem,and everyday was a step to the death road..
I cried with my sister and some friends,when we heard about
the death..we were so upset and still we are.. 5 years and
nothing changed our minds and our hearts, we will never
forget you,we will always think of you as a beautiful star
in the sky,who spread his light wherever ..
you will always live in my mind and heart
Barbara
Italy
I've just finished reading the comments people have written and i'd just
like to say to everyone that you are all fucked up for blaming River's
family and friends for his death. It was his fault, he chose to take all
those drugs that night - no one forced him to.
Sure I loved him too, I still do. Though I blame no one except River for
his death. I think you should all take a good look at yourselves and why
you liked him... he was just a person like the rest of us - a person
with so much love to share.
I think about him often and never wonder "what if...?" One of the many
things River taught me was that there's a reason for everything...
Maybe you should all think about that....
I'm thankful that River has passed on, thankful that he doesn't have to
see how fucked up this world has become, thankful that his passing made
some people realised that they're not immortal, and thankful that he's
there to look after my baby
THE ETERNAL RIVER FLOWS...
Nayome
If any River fans want to contact me my e-mail address is
fibee@whyalla.net.au
just make sure you put "Nayome" on the subject as
it's a shared e-mail site...
I am Nicola. You know, I have no idea why my liking of River Phoenix is
even there. The first movie of him that I saw was Stand By Me, three
years after he was dead. I can't explain why, but there was just this
invisible thing that I felt. I don't understand it, but I feel like he
is something special. I used to think about him all the time, but I
sort of forgot about him until I looked at my bookmarks and saw the
River Phoenix pages. Whenever I think about him, it makes me sad and
happy at the same time. Happy in a depressed way. I don't know how I
feel about him, only that I wish I had a chance to know and enjoy him.
Later River...
Like a shooting star, you came into my life and made me believe in
destiny.
Dana
I'd just like to say all my family friends think that I'm a weirdo
because I like River Phoenix and because he passed away.I love River and
I respect him and his family.River's talent was incredible.He was a
great actor and people get angry at him for taking drugs.Drugs are no
good for you but there was nothing to stop that.My main point is EVERY
BODY LOVES YOU RIO NO MATTER WHAT.
I came to the realization today that I am the same age as River Phoenix
when he died: 23. I was a freshman in college at the time, now I'm in my fifth
year in school. How time flies! I was twelve when I became a fan of his -
over eleven years ago. I saw every movie he was in, had every pin-up,
poster, book, article, and so on imaginable. I wanted to be just like him.
Now I'm an adult, and am supposed to lay such foolish things to rest . . .
and for the most part I have. The pin-ups and articles are gone, the posters
are in the attic, and if you asked me who my hero is, I would tell you Jesus.
But there are things about being River's fan that will touch my life forever.
All I have is my biased perception of the man he was, and maybe all I learned
was from the media's portrayal of him, and not the man himself. But I did
learn alot. I learned that all life is sacred, to stand up for your beliefs
and now matter what things about you people think are weird, you can make a
difference in this world, and make yourself heard, and for that I'm forever
thankful.
-Sincerely,
There have been so many words and so many tears and sometimes I wonder
if we're all insane. We all feel some link with River, some intangible
connection. It is something I think he would have understood, in his
more altruistic moments.
We are all selfish and stubborn and misguided, especially when we're
young. River's tragedy was his intelligence and ability to see the
truth. Like most people who see, he couldn't cope with what he saw.
Likewise, we all have moments of loneliness or isolation. Perhaps River
could not cope with these feelings; how can you cope when you are not
sure who "you" is?
If he read this, he would be laughing, I hope, at the futility of words
after death and the irony of his canonisation-the junkie saint. And
laughing at us, at our grieving: movie screens are two
dimensional-people are not. And all we are, if we are truthful, are
movie-goers.
River, have the last laugh. You are owed it.
Loving-Kindness and Compassion to all who miss him, all who remember him
daily.
Rachel.
If anyone wants to contact me RE: River, or wants publishing details of
Hermann Hesse's "Siddhartha" in the UK; or knows where I can find a copy
of Henry Miller's "Time of the Assassins" in the UK, please email me:
apacherose51@hotmail.com
River Phoenix was someone who seemed to respect his fans, someone who
always had time to spare for the unfortunate or underprivilged. His
contributions will always be remembered, not because of his career or his
image, but because of the person he was. River Phoenix was a caring,
beautiful person. No one else could play a film role like he did, no one
else had a presence on the screen such as River Phoenix.
Can his fans ever know or understand what River could have been? Or maybe
this man will go down in history, as a "What if....?", just like legends
such as Jimmy Dean. And that's exactly what this man was......A LEGEND.
Rest In Peace River, you will forever be in our hearts.
AJ, Australia.
I remember being 12 years old and totally infatuated with River Phoenix.
Of course at 12, I was in love! I first saw him in Seven Brides for
Seven Brothers and just had to write to him. I sent a letter and waited
by the mail box epectantly for a reply. My brothers thought I was
crazy. "You'll never get anything from him!" they said. But I knew
something would come. So clearly do I remember coming home from school
seeing a post card sitting on the dining room table. I was from HIM!
Jumping up and down and hugging the card to my chest I sreamed and
shouted at the top of my lungs! "Join my fan club," it read. I did. I
babysat to earn the money, and sent it off with high hopes for a reply.
When my packet came I was estatic, my membership card went straight into
my purse and I waited anxiously for my newsletters. A few months later
I didn't get one and I was dissapointed. Then one month became two, and
two became three ... I was crushed. But I wrote back with a clever
gimmick. I enclosed a self addresses stamped envelope with a small
postcard to included in a reply that said "I'm still alive" and a box to
check Yes or No. Never anticipating what was to come I forgot about
River for just a while. But only until that pink, self-addressed,
stamped envelope returned to my dining room table. With the Yes box
checked and a personal, hand written, two page note from River, it was
my most treasured possession at 13 years old. River wrote about his
upcoming role on Family Ties and his new TV movie, "Surviving", and even
included an autographed picture. I showed it to all my friends and was
so proud. It went straight into my scrapbook to be treasured forever.
Unfortunately, when I moved in 1990 the letter, photo, envelope, and
card were lost. I cried and searched after I unpacked, but to no
avail. They were not in my scrapbook. I'm not sure what happened,
whether my brothers thought they were playing a cruel prank, but even
without the papers, the memory of River will always live on in my heart
and for that I am grateful to have shared a moment with him.
***This is a true story. I only wish I still had that letter. It was
truly precious. I'm looking for anyone who might have episodes of Seven
Brides for Seven Brothers on video who would like to share. Any ideas?
Thanks for letting me share my story with you.
Colleen ***
I wish I never met him.
I wish I was like so many of his fans - BLINDED.
I wish that someday I can look past his human qualities (with all its
accomplishments and all its fuck-ups). As a person who knew him - at least I
thought I did - I seem to dwell on those qualities that took his life; and If
I were a fan, I would dwell on those that gave him life.
Maybe some day that wish will come true - when I am able to see past my anger
and take in all that he was. But for now, the pain cuts deeper that it did
four years ago (has it been that long, it feels like yesterday).
I do miss him with all my soul and being.
kv
To River and all of his fans,
River, you have changed the world so much, and I know how you hated to be
idolized. I must admitt, I've loved you my whole life. You even saved me
from killing myself many times. We won't let you die again by forgetting you,
so rest easy. But for all the "fans", thanks for helping River's memories go
on. He's not a "fallen angel" though he is now an angel. He will always be a
part of all of us, in our hearts. Just don't forget that he is dead. Nothing
is going to bring him back. He was very fucked up, and I'm mad at everyone
who just sat back and watched him kill himself. They should've tried to help
him.
Dear River,
a long time ago I saw your picture in a magazine and at that moment
everything changes. It may seem crazy or just stupid but I think it was
something like love at first sight. I was about 14 and it was the first
time I feel something so intense about someone. Now I'm 20 but this
feeling hasn't change. You're always on my mind and you will always be.
No matter what the other people may say or think, something will never
change for me...you.
Maryline
PS: I don't have an e.mail so if you want to join me (and I hope I will
get lots of responses!!!), just send me a letter and I will write you:
Crooijmans Maryline rue Noé Jacques 2
B-4300 Waremme
Belgium
I live in Greece and yesterday a tragic accident marked my country.
It was a plane crash with 75 victims dead. People around me talking about
the lost souls
and are unhappy but the fanny thing is that I don't care and I am not sorry
about them because
I think that River die when was just 23, he was just a baby then and it was
not fair.
And every time I hear about death and losts I feel a kind of satisfaction
and I think about River.
All I want to say is that for me there is nothing worst than River's death.
And it's hard to think of him in a cold grave. This is the second time I am
writing in the River comment page and I am so happy that I am seeing new
people learning about our River. Thanks.
Lena - phoenixr@compulink.gr
I know I was only 10 when River Phoenix died but he will always have a place
in my heart. We will never know how he lived or why he took all the drugs he
took. I am 14 now and I still remember the day he died. 10-31-93. I had a
party hoping I would have a good time but it was hard. I haved watched "Stand
By Me" almost all my life. I have just bought the Movie. People dont know why
I like him but I do and that is all that matters to me. My mom halped through
all the bad times. I am reading a book called "Lost in Hollywood-The Fast
Times and the Short Life of River Phoenix." I have hoped one day I will get
to meat him and one day I will when I walk through the gates of Heaven. As I
go throght all the letters you have wrote to River Phoenix I sit here and cry,
felling the same way all of you do. I have only seen one of his movies and I
want to see more. I have learnd more about him then I thought I would ever
know. I fell sad for his familt, friends, and all of his fans. I know for a
fact we all will miss and love him for ever.
WE LOVE YOU RIVER PHOENIX FOREVER.
ONE of his biggest fans
Hanna
PeaceAndLv@aol.com
It's so comforting to know that there are real people in the world who
cared about River. I'm 16 and it's nice to finally hear some comments
about River Phoenix that don't say "He was so hot." I never thought of
him that way. I respected him for that certain quality he had. He was
someone you had to keep watching. His performance in "My Own Private
Idaho" always brings tears to my eyes. I hope he will never be
forgotten.
-Caitlin
feel free to contact me at rksnm@yahoo.com
Thank you...one million and one "thank-you's"!!! I have been a devoted fan
of River's since I was thirteen. I am now 22, and find myself still
devasted at the loss of this brilliant and enigmatic soul! He inspired me
to be vegan when I was only fifteen. My family and friends thought I was
insane!! I used to search for a man that shared River's similar qualities.
I was lucky enough to find one...but he has also passed on. I think there
is something to be found in these sensitive souls...Some story that needs
to be told, and a voice that needs to be listened to...
Anyway, I digress... Your page has given me hope. I find virtually
nothing new and inspiring on River, and it tears my heart out to think that
he will be erased from the face of entertainment forever, and I will do
whatever I can to ensure that his memory lives on. Imagine my pain, when I
spent twelve years of my life living in a town in Fla. that was a mere
thirty miles from him!!!But never once did I try to seek him out and invade
his privacy. I had great respect for him, and I feel like I have a lost a
dear friend and lover...
Please inform me of any new information or anything that I can do to help
perpetuate this project...I'm a 22 year old college student in Penna. USA.
Love,
sadiemae@ptd.net
The moment I saw the first River's film I bacame a fan of him, I
wanted to be like him, it was a kind of hero for me. Then the years were
going by and he went on playing in films, and he did it with such
naturality that you realized that he was born to do it. Suddenly one day
I knew that he has died, I couldn't believe it, of a drug overdose, it
was impossible for me to believe it... I get angry and I wanted to know
nothing about him for some time. Later I searched in internet for him,
not hoping to find anything too big about him, and what was my surprise
when I saw all the information about him, thanks to this information, I
could know the story of River, and the pressures he had, but I will never
understand why he took all this drugs, I am sure he didn't want to die,
but GOD wanted his soul with him, so I hope he will be watching us.
Rest in peace.
Jose
I wrote this to our beloved River and I wanted to share it with you.
I'm writing to you again. To you, who meant so much in my life, but yet I
never had a chance to meet you. And I never will. One more time I'm going
to sit down and think about you and the great impact you had on my life.
And I'll lit up another candle for you and your soul. And one more time I'
ll pretend like you're still around and talk to you. I'll dream my
childhood dreams with you, like I used to. The candle will burn for another
23 minutes and then it will stop, just like your life stopped at the age of
23 taken by a cold cruel hand of destiny. Back then I didn't think I could
stand all the pain, but now the years have gone by and wounds have healed.
I met people who helped me to realize that I am not alone. But I miss you
more then ever. And I love you like the first time.
At the end, I'd just love to add a quote from one of my favorite books:
"If we remain in the hearts of those whom we left behind us, we will never
die."
So don't cry for River on this day, remember him!
Ivana, on October 31, 1997
Mail is welcomed, as always, at vinko.brcic@pu.tel.hr
Dear River,
So comes again, the day of your passing. I don't know what else to
say, I have written everything I have felt before. You have given me so
much, bringing me yet another special gift. You have blessed my life in so
many ways. It would have not been the same if I did not know about you.
Perhaps you are the one to be greatly thanked. I often wonder why you left
us so soon, to know what was really happening to your life that seemed to be
tormented. Did you want to be heard as your mother said? Was there anyone
there to listen? Not the whole world listened and it seemed impossible that
it would, didn't it? Is this the reason why you sadly left us? The whole
world still hasn't heard your voice but you have been heard. Look at all
these people who care about you. We have waken up and your death greatly
affected many. Have you noticed that? I know that you don't want to see me
crying but it still hurts to have lost you.
I'd rather say that you have passed on, death is such a morose word.
Your spirit may have left the world but I know that some where, you are safe
at peace, watching over all of us. Knowing this, maybe that is the answer
why some of us, including myself have seemed to move on. Though I know I
will never forget you River. You will always live on forever in my heart and
in those who love you. I will remember your talent, your sould and the love
you offered.
I will remember you as River Jude Phoenix.
Karen, kungk@skyinternet.com
Oct.31.97
31-10-1997
I come , me as well , to lay some flowers in memory of my best friend
that i consider also as my big brother.
I'm sure that he doesn't want us -his fans, his friends and all the
people who still remember him- to be sad today.
But I hope he'll not hold it against us if, despite our efforts, we
can't help crying, alone tonight, when the darkness comes down.
O big Brother, if you could be there to hold me in your arms and
confort me when I'd poured all the tears that my heart can contain.
My Friend, I don't write english too well to tell you all the feelings
that I have for you, deep inside of me.So here's a song that expresses
better than I what I ever want to say to you.Not too late (Who knows?).
JUST ONE LIFE
I did not know you
Our lives never touched
'Til the day they gathered
To bid you farewell
And they painted your picture
And as I looked around
I fell I saw you
In the words and the sound.
Your talent came flowing
Through the stories they tell
And through the faces
Of those who love you so well
Your life gave them a treasure
A piece of themselves
Something they carry
And still serves them well.
Just one life
Just one life
Just one life
That is born, and is, and is gone
Just one life
And I'm so glad to know you
As I know you know.
Perhaps inside you
You were messed up like me
But to them you were whole and strong
And friend in their need
And what you left behind you
And what swept over me
Says that your life's work
Rolls on and on
A piece of eternity
Just one life
Just one life
Just one life
That is born, and is, and is gone
Just one life
Did you have the chance to find out
What life is all about.
I did not know you
Our lifes never touched
'Til the day we gathered
To say our farewells.
( B.May - Back To The Light - 1991 )
I hope wherever you are now, you can be happy and watch over us.
I still miss you so much, River.
Raphael.
On the very first page of this
site, a Martha Plimpton said that River was "fucked up and had no idea
how to implement his good intentions." Now, I don't know him as well as
she, maybe not at all, but for what ever was wrong with him...he did
hide it well. I only saw 2 of the movies that he did... Indiana
Jones..(I really didn't know that was him, I had to see it again) and
"The Thing Called Love". That movie...I watch it everytime it comes
on. I am a River fanatic. When I first saw it...(early this year) I
went to see if there was a web page, cause River is soo sexy and a great
actor, but then I found this page and started crying. I don't really
know why. It was soo sad that so many great actors kill themselves
cause they couldn't ask for help. Now, I don't know if that is in his
case. Was he really messed up? with drugs? Inform me please, I must be
the only one who has no idea what was wrong.... was he a professional
singer? He had a great voice. I have been looking for that movie's
soundtrack and can't seem to find it. Rest assured, I will continue the
search!! I just wanted to know, from anyone, if you can kinda tell me
more about his life and what happened. That would be greatly
appreciated.
River: we love you always, in spirit and in body....
Ademola, mola99@hotmail.com
i miss river so much i still cry sometimes like the day he died i cryed for
three days after that every holoween i go and put flowers down at a
tribut me and my friends mad at are school and i get realy sad coming
close to the 31 of oct and that will be soon so i just wanted you to know
that you are proubaly the best person in the world for making your page and i
realy feel good when i vits it so thank you very much
River's performance in "My own Private Idaho" was nothing short of AMAZING.
Without ever knowing him personally, this kid affected me like no other. He
opened my eyes to what I want to do with my life. I pity his tragedy, but
will forever be grateful for what he unknowingly gave me.
In a few days the 5 year anniversary I believe of River's death is apon us.
Everyone should not mourn but be happy he is still safe in the heaven's. I
understand some people do not care because he is now dead but some people
just leave an impact on the world that cannot be forgotten. On a more serious
note.....I think everyone's thoughts should be with his last girlfriend
Samantha Mathis. He loved her so much and she loved him deeply. How deeply?
It was reported that she has not been with another man since River's death.
Everyone think of Samantha on the death of River.
LverJuliet
Krissi
I didn't realize so many people feel the same way I do. I'm 16 and I
didn't appeciate his talent until two years ago. Like others who've
made comments, when I told my friends they basically thought I was
wierd. Reading your comments has helped me to realize I'm not the only
one. I'm not trying to defend him. He wasn't perfect. He was just an
actor and a cool person. Too bad I'll never meet him.
-A fan from WI
Who was a precious soul? This one soul deserved to die. This one was
finished here. This one knew that this world was just another phase to pass
through.
This isn't something worth living, we're just plagued and brought down by all
this shit that society provides.
This soul was someone who found out how to appreciate the fact that all we
can do is give as much of ourselves to try to make the shit something good
and then we just pass on to another phase because you are always traveling,
just flowing through a never-ending road, like my favorite road--the Idaho
Road.
Now, this soul is just somewhere else being, radiating, and spreading the
inner beauty that he will always have. So I don't mourn, I know he is just
going through another path and maybe somewhere along the way, I'll interrupt
and catch up to him. And we'll walk along hand-in-hand, leaving behind the
shit which we've transformed and flying along into the clouds to meet the
next place. Except this time, it'll be two souls, mine and his.
Happiness and emotions spread, he's blessed me and I await for my soul to
encounter his soon. Excitment and anticipation captivate me now. I await
this new experience (encounter) that I am about to have.
by Sara Hortencia de Paz
I red what people wrote about him and I think it's so fabulouse. River
Phoenix is dead and he died in an ugly way. He wasn't perfect but still he
was something that makes all this people even more special. Everybody
who've written here is just so unique. I and most people didn't knew him.
He didn't knew us, but somehow we got an insight in who he was. Even if
he's no longer alive he still makes people create beutiful things and think
about important issues. Today it's that which is important about him, I'm
sitting in front of my computore in Sweden everywhere in the world River
Phoenix is in people's heart. He was a great actor and he said things that
matterd he touch us. We can't get him back but we can have beatiful
thoughts, and it's those poems, songs, thoughts, tears, that will make him
live forever.
Cheers. Nathalie
bdm.bdm@helsingborg.mail.telia.com
Dear River,
I Love River forever. He is my imagine man in my dream. He is a
good man . I didn't many words to say about him ,excepted, he is buried
in my heart forever.
Miss you, River Phoenix
Thai girl.
hey there.
i first fell in love with River Phoenix when i was five. i had just seen
'Stand By Me' and already knew that Chris Chambers was going to play a very
special role in my life. He was my inspiration; my hero. 11 years later, he
still is.
Now that i'm 16, i realise what attracted me so strongly to River Phoenix.
It was the light in him. the light that shone out from behind his eyes and
his smile. the light that reached out of the screen and touched your soul.
When i heard about his death i felt so betrayed. If there was one guy who i
thought would survive the glitz and scandal of Hollywood, it would've been
River. If only the people who were with him had stopped him, he would still
be encouraging and inspiring people around the world.
i don't think there's any one person to blame for his death. But River, his
friends and his parents all had a part in it.This is what they have to live
with.
i used to love River Phoenix and i still do. He will continue to be the
light of inspiration, the angel in my dreams.
this is a poem i wrote for him when i was 14.
thank you all for keeping his memory alive.
raven
e-mail address : river_7@hotmail.com
The first time I saw river's movie especially 'my own private Idaho' is
when I was 18 years old in 1994.
I was so impressed. The mood was so comfortable for me. I had heard his
name as young star and he had died.
I was very sorry to his death. My young sister like Leonardo Dicaprio , so
I can know more about River.
As you know River is compared with Leo. And in korea there is not much
data about River. There is only some movie
newspaper. As I know more about him, I could not understand his word
exactly. But the more I know him, the more I fall in him.
But after some day , I can use internet so that I can enter very enormous
his home page and become to know more his
information. I did capture many his info, pic, many other data. Finally I
become to a specialist in River Phoenix, even if
I know almost every thing of him, I don't know who he is exactly. and I am
very sorry not to see original 'my own private
Idaho' in korea the movie was cut out many part of it so, I want to see...
someday I will go to USA. Then I will .
River is never died. He live as image and in mind of every body who miss him.
TRIBUTE TO RIVER PHOENIX
INTERESTINGLY, MY PATH AND RIVER'S DID CROSS ONCE. IT WAS BACK IN 1985
WHEN HE WAS FILMING HIS FIRST MOVIE, "EXPLORERS" IN MY HOME TOWN OF
PETALUMA, CALIFORNIA. THEY WERE BASED AT THE SKY RANCH AIRPORT WERE I
WORK(ED) AS A FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR. ONE DAY I WAS SITTING ON A BENCH, WHEN
ALONG COMES THESE THREE YOUNG BOYS WINDING THEIR WAY AROUND THE
AIRPLANES LED BY THIS BLONDE KID, WHO HAD ON THE MOST COLORFULL OF
CLOTHES. I REMEMBER A SLEVELESS PINK SHIRT AND ORANGE PANTS WITH GREEN
SHOES, OR SOME COMBINATION THERE OF. ANY WAY ALL THREE STOOD OUT AS,
"DIFFERENT." JUST AS THEY WERE RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME THE BLONDE KID
STOPS AND QUICKLY TURNS AROUND TO THE TALLER BROWN HAIRED KID AND
PRETENDS TO PUNCH HIM OUT!... chu..chu.. HE VERBALIZES AS HE THRUSTS OUT
HIS CLENCHED FISTS TOWARDS THE SECOND KID , WHO HAS NOW STOPED IN HIS
TRACKS. HE THEN GLANCES QUICKLY TOWARDS ME, THEN THE'RE ALL OFF AGAIN...
I WONDERED IF THEY WERE HOLLYWOOD KIDS OR NOT? SIX
MOS. LATER AT THE SCREENING, I FIND OUT THAT THE THREE BOYS WERE; RIVER
PHOENIX, ETHAN HAWKE AND JASON PRESSON!!!! AND MY LIFE HAS
NEVER BEEN THE SAME SINCE.
THANK YOU !
BARRY (thecolonel@webtv.net)
I have seen you many times touching life and each time you gave more
than you took. Saying goodbye River is like a
universe that I can't comprehend. It is not enough to be what we are, or
think we are, for life reflects we are so much more.
Within you lived a soul too beautiful for words, too filled with
love for conditions, too eternal for comprehension. A soul
simply wishing to manifest itself into life by feelings, to be
understood and to understand. By giving love and so much of
yourself to other people you lost a part of yourself. I'm sorry that I
could not be there for you, and even now the tears fall as
snow upon frosted ground.
I will always remember you River, and I hope that like the bird
which burned itself in a fire after living for hundreds of
years, you will again arise in the radiant flower of youth upon the
shoreline of eternity. I just want to be there. So until then...
goodbye