RIP River Phoenix

[tampa24]

For many of us who were big fans of River Phoenix, it was with a heavy heart that we got the news 20 years ago of his tragic passing. I myself remember reading and re-reading the headline in the newspaper several times because I refused to believe that it was possible. I kept hoping that my eyes were deceiving me or that it was a very mistaken misprint.

Here's a video from CNN marking the 20th anniversary of his death. Rest in Peace, River.

http://www.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/showbiz/2013/10/31/pkg-river-phoenix-anniversary.cnn.html

 

[mikeyank]

No question Tampa, River Phoenix was one of the best looking actors of all time. However his dying so young guaranteed that he would never grow old, and remain eternally young and beautiful like James Dean and Jim Morrison.

RIP River.

 

[peterh6308]

Mikey and I were talking about him in the last week. The movie he did with Keanu called "my own private idaho" was a underground classic.

 

[tampa24]

Mikey and I were talking about him in the last week. The movie he did with Keanu called "my own private idaho" was a underground classic.

It was indeed. Few people had ever heard of Keanu Reeves before My Own Private Idaho. At least after that one, he had a gay following. lol

 

[Dickles]

THe trademark to every one of River's movies, was the he always made the character so real I wondered how the character was doing week's after I saw the film. I still worry about the guys he played in Mosquito coast and Running on Empty...

 

[tampa24]

Thanks for pointing that out Dickles.

I seem to recall that the director of M.O.P.I., Gus Van Sant (?) had a conversation with River about his character. From what I recall at the time, River told him that he wanted his character to not just be a very close friend to Keanu Reeve's character, but to actually profess his love for him. That was not in the script. River felt that it would make his character much more authentic and believable. After much discussion it was decided that his character would actually fall in love with his co-star's character. It did add much more depth and layers to the storyline. It was scandalous enough that two supposedly straight actors were playing gay characters in the U.S. in 1991. And gay prostitutes at that. But the fact that it became a semi love story between the two was even more controversial at the time.

Both actors took a real chance of ruining their future careers by taking the roles in that film. Back then that was a very risky and courageous move for the sake of art and their craft.

It reminds me of another story about Matthew Broderick. He gained much of his early fame in 1981 by playing David, the twink lover of Harvey Fierstein in the original off-Broadway play Torch Song Trilogy. When it was apparent that the play would be made into a feature film in 1988, Fierstein of course offered the part to Broderick. Broderick almost immediately accepted it. His managers told him that it would or could be career suicide to play a gay character in a major film. I heard they strongly advised him against it. And finally, at least warned him of all the potential pitfalls.

Broderick stood his ground. His reasoning was that the play had given him his first real big break in the business and that he wouldn't have the success he already enjoyed without it. The way I understand it, Broderick felt it was a duty and a privilege to be able to play the character of David on the big screen. Maybe he even felt that he owed it to Fierstein. He did an absolutely phenomenal job in the movie. I can't imagine anyone else playing the role any better. The character of David stayed with me for many years. As we can see from his very successful career, Broderick did not suffer for taking on the film role.

 

[cumrag27]

I truly feel blessed to have been so lucky in my life.

Thanks for pointing that out Dickles.

I seem to recall that the director of M.O.P.I., Gus Van Sant (?) had a conversation with River about his character. From what I recall at the time, River told him that he wanted his character to not just be a very close friend to Keanu Reeve's character, but to actually profess his love for him. That was not in the script. River felt that it would make his character much more authentic and believable. After much discussion it was decided that his character would actually fall in love with his co-star's character. It did add much more depth and layers to the storyline. It was scandalous enough that two supposedly straight actors were playing gay characters in the U.S. in 1991. And gay prostitutes at that. But the fact that it became a semi love story between the two was even more controversial at the time.

Both actors took a real chance of ruining their future careers by taking the roles in that film. Back then that was a very risky and courageous move for the sake of art and their craft.

It reminds me of another story about Matthew Broderick. He gained much of his early fame in 1981 by playing David, the twink lover of Harvey Fierstein in the original off-Broadway play Torch Song Trilogy. When it was apparent that the play would be made into a feature film in 1988, Fierstein of course offered the part to Broderick. Broderick almost immediately accepted it. His managers told him that it would or could be career suicide to play a gay character in a major film. I heard they strongly advised him against it. And finally, at least warned him of all the potential pitfalls.

Broderick stood his ground. His reasoning was that the play had given him his first real big break in the business and that he wouldn't have the success he already enjoyed without it. The way I understand it, Broderick felt it was a duty and a privilege to be able to play the character of David on the big screen. Maybe he even felt that he owed it to Fierstein. He did an absolutely phenomenal job in the movie. I can't imagine anyone else playing the role any better. The character of David stayed with me for many years. As we can see from his very successful career, Broderick did not suffer for taking on the film role.

Dear Tampa,

Matthew Broderick is such a dear, dear guy. In his iconic Ferris Bueller role, his boyish quality had such charm that I could never say NO to him if I had the chance in the first place. This "boyish quality" was the defining characteristic that typified my roommate of 17 years that ended some 15 years ago, due to my moving back to my hometown, Little Rock, to assist my mother with her failing health and medical needs. His name was Steve and he was the most loving "Straight Guy" I had ever known sexually on those extremely rare occasions. How I loved fully enjoying his gorgeous dick, his pubes were as thick as a "rain-forest" (unfortunately), but fortunately for me, he would periodically groom himself. Though he really was a fully dedicated active lady's man, he occasionally would under the right circumstances be willing to take a walk on the wild side. He was a natural risk-taker. Those moments represent the most joyous moments sexually speaking that I have enjoyed to date. His orgasmic proceeds was simply overwhelming and I felt the machine-gun action resulting, slamming against the back of my mouth many, many times. How I would love being slammed again as in times gone by. Steve was the "BEST"!

At the times Steve shared my living accommodations, his uncanny resemblance to Ferris Bueller and that undeniable "boyish quality", he was sexually playful, but always in an innocent way! He was definitely no "goody two-shoes", but he had a remarkable sense of humor that worked well in his dealings with others. We had many loving and truly joyous moments of bonding as good friends normally do. When in his bed in our den, he would frequently taunt and tease me with his fully erect, slightly curved 7.5" dick safely under his covers. He was so cute in the playful way he captured my interest in these eye-opening moments, much as guys did in my High School PE shower testing their limits. A merely harmless flirtation! I just know that we had much more "joy and uncontrolled laughter", rather than feelings of sadness OR regret. Each in our own bed before going to sleep nightly in different bedrooms, my house sounded like the all too familiar TV show..."Goodnight Johnboy..." of "Little House on the Prairie" lingo!

I am thankful that my many memories are fully with me and comfort me temporarily at times of sadness or loneliness. Steve gave me a lifetime of joy during those years and I truly feel blessed to have been so lucky having him in my life. Thank you all for listening as well!


Sincerely,


Stimpy

 

[tampa24]

He sounds like a wonderful friend to have had. You were both fortunate to have met the other and shared so many good times.

 

[Fletch]

Thanks for calling my attention to 20 years, Tampa. I can't believe it. I was 20 then; River, 23. That death hit me harder than any other celebrity death I had experienced, and probably that is still true today. I really loved River Phoenix, thought he had a beautiful soul and a rare talent. I wrote some predictably terrible poetry about him after he died. I still feel the loss and wonder what he would have gone on to do; he had the makings of the next Brando.

 

[tampa24]

Thanks for calling my attention to 20 years, Tampa. I can't believe it. I was 20 then; River, 23. That death hit me harder than any other celebrity death I had experienced, and probably that is still true today. I really loved River Phoenix, thought he had a beautiful soul and a rare talent. I wrote some predictably terrible poetry about him after he died. I still feel the loss and wonder what he would have gone on to do; he had the makings of the next Brando.

He did indeed have so much potential. And we'll never know what might have been.