What can I say? Like James Dean, River Phoenix's life was tragically cut short just as the world began to recognize his immense acting talent. He seemed destined for a stellar career in movies, only to die of a drug overdose just steps from the door of The Viper Room on Sunset Blvd. Tragically, his younger brother Joaquin (The Joker) witnessed his passing. River was truly one-of-a-kind. I'll never forget watching Stand by Me and seeing River for the first time as Chris Chambers, the boy with a troubled home life and an even worse older brother (Kiefer Sutherland). No offense to the other actors in the movie, but River outshone them all, and he was younger than most of them. So, show some respect and enjoy.