River Phoenix birthday tribute.Photo:Hearts Phoenix/instagram
Hearts Phoenix/instagram
Arlyn “Heart” Phoenix is remembering her late sonRiver Phoenixon what would have been his 53rd birthday.
On Wednesday, Heart shared a touching social media tribute honoring the oldest of her five children. “August 23, 1970…one of the most amazing days of my life…bringing Earthbound a living being…truly a touch of the most sacred,” his mother began inan Instagram post.
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“I would say he was and still is our greatest teacher,” Heart continued. In the post, she reflected on the greatest pain she’d ever felt in her life, admitting that although they were on opposite sides of the spectrum, it would be childbirth and “the pain of my son’s passing.”
Despite her grief, Heart noted that Phoenix’s time on earth left a meaningful impact on those who cared for him.
River Phoenix attends the 61st Annual Academy Awards Nominees Luncheon.Ron Galella, Ltd/Ron Galella Collection/Getty
Ron Galella, Ltd/Ron Galella Collection/Getty
“I am in awe of the fact that he is very much alive in me. Thank you for all the precious messages that I have received through these past 30 years 💖🙏💖,” she concluded.
River died on Oct. 31, 1993at the age of 23 due to a drug overdose at The Viper Room venue in West Hollywood, California. His younger brother,Joker: Folie à DeuxactorJoaquin Phoenixwas with him at the time.
Joaquin and River Phoenix cooking at their home in Los Angeles, California.Dianna Whitley/Getty
On Wednesday, his younger sister Rain Phoenix also paid her respects to her late older sibling. “Happy birthday River🩵,” she wrote ona social media post.
Rain’s post included two photos. The first was a black-and-white portrait of theRunning on Emptyactor in his adult years. The second showed the two sitting together, smiling as children.
River and Rain Phoenix.Rain Phoenix/Instagram
Rain Phoenix/Instagram
In October 2019,Rain spoke with PEOPLEabout how she copes with Phoenix’s physical absence. She shared fond memories of her brother, describing him as “the most generous person that I know and always very much concerned about the quiet person in the room or the person who was misunderstood.” Phoenix was known for speaking up for others who may have been too afraid to speak up for themselves, River said.
When asked what it was like to have him as a brother, Rain said that he was “very protective” before reminiscing abouthis creative side. “I think he probably taught all of us a few chords on guitar and hoped that we would follow his lead," she said. “He was such a great older brother.”
Rain said Phoenix was “a master Tabbouleh maker.” The musician said her family would eat the salad for “dinner, lunch, breakfast” and that “Joaquin is a master Tabbouleh maker as well.”
When Joaquin accepted the Best Actor Oscar for his role inJokerat the 2020 Academy Awards,he recited lyrics that his late brotherwrote at 17 years old.
“I’ve been a scoundrel all my life. I’ve been selfish. 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,” Joaquin told the audience. “And I think that’s when we’re at our best, when we support each other. Not when we cancel each other out for past mistakes, but when we help each other grow, when we educate each other, when we guide each other towards redemption. That is the best of humanity.”
source: people.com
