Ethan Hawke says childhood costar River Phoenix…
Ethan Hawke is reflecting on his late pal, River Phoenix.
While at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival, the actor, 54, spoke to Entertainment Weekly about assembly the late star, who died at age 23 in 1993, while filming “Explorers.”
Hawke and Phoenix starred together in the sci-fi movie in 1985.
Ethan Hawke attends the premiere of “The Lowdown” during the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival. Getty Images
The “Dead Poets Society” alum acquired candid on the pressures of “a life in the performing arts,” and how Phoenix was “struggling” throughout his profession.
“He was met with success much earlier than I was,” Hawke said, referring to Rob Reiner’s film “Stand by Me,” which “launched this huge career at an extremely young age.”
The director explained that Phoenix was “vibrating off of how phony that was, whenever you’re getting a lot of accolades and you’re not even in control of your own art.”
River Phoenix, star of “Stand By Me,” playfully poses for a pic in 1988. Getty Images
Hawke famous that “people are trying to make money off you [and] if you’re self-aware at all, you understand how dangerous that is.”
But, it also “led him to do the best work of his short life with Gus Van Sant.”
Phoenix starred in 1991’s “My Own Private Idaho” reverse Keanu Reeves.
River Phoenix in 1986.
“In a loose adaptation of Shakespeare’s Henry IV, Mike Waters (Phoenix) is a gay hustler afflicted with narcolepsy. Scott Favor (Reeves) is the rebellious son of a mayor,” the synopsis read.
“He was punk rock as an actor when he took that job,” Hawke continued. “That was a really dangerous job for him to take — a gay hustler for a teen idol — and he was brilliant in that.”
The position led Phoenix to take home the distinguished Volpi Cup for Best Actor at the Venice Film Festival.
River Phoenix, Keanu Reeves in 1991. ©Fine Line Features/Courtesy Everett Collection
Phoenix overdosed on Halloween of ’93 while at the Viper Room. In 2013, which marked the twentieth anniversary of his death, musician Bob Forrest described what his pal was going through that evening.
At the time, creator, 64, wrote in his memoir, “Running with Monsters,” that Phoenix was on a drug binge with Red Hot Chili Peppers’ guitarist John Frusciante in the times main up to his passing.
“[River] stayed with John for the next few days, and probably didn’t get a minute of sleep,” Forrest penned. “The drug routine stayed pretty consistent for all of us. First, smoke crack or shoot coke directly into a vein for that ninety-second, electric brain-bell jangle. Then shoot heroin to get a grip and come down enough to be able to carry on a conversation for a few minutes before you start the cycle again.”
Jason Presson, Ethan Hawke, River Phoenix in the film “Explorers.” Paramount/Kobal / Shutterstock
The evening he died, “River and John stumbled in” to the Viper Room.
Phoenix’s brother, Joaquin, sister Rain, his girlfriend Samantha Mathis, Red Hot Chili Pepper Flea, and Depp have been also at the membership.
Cocaine was handed around.
Ethan Hawke, River Phoenix in the 1985 movie “Explorers.” ©Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection
“River was obviously wasted and was as unsteady as a boxer who had taken one too many headshots during a fifteen-round bout,” Forrest revealed.
While Depp’s band carried out, Phoenix tapped the Thelonious Monster member on the shoulder.
“Bob,” he said, “I don’t feel so good. I think I’m OD’ing.”
Ethan Hawke in 1994. Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
Forrest wrote that Phoenix acquired a second wind and went back into the group but a few minutes later, somebody shouted to call 911.
The actor was introduced outdoors and finally taken by ambulance to Cedars-Sinai Hospital.
When Forrest acquired to the hospital he noticed Mathis, now 55, standing by herself in the hallway crying.
He wrote that, in that second, he knew Phoenix was useless.
Phoenix attends the 61st Annual Academy Awards Nominees Luncheon on March 21, 1989 at Beverly Hilton Hotel. Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
Forrest called Depp, who requested, “How’s your friend?,” not realizing that Phoenix was the one rushed to the hospital.
“Dude,” Forrest said. “River’s dead.” After a long pause, Depp responded, “Oh my God,” and hung up.
We present you with the trending topics. Get the best latest Entertainment news and content on our web site daily.