River Phoenix, the award-winning actor, singer, and activist, passed away on October 31, 1993 at the age of 23. The youngest of five siblings, River Jude Phoenix was born in Madras, Oregon, in 1970. At the age of three, Phoenix moved with his family to Caracas, Venezuela, for his father's religious commitments. It was in South America that Phoenix took to music, joining his family's band, the Children of God. After his family moved to Florida in the mid-1980s, Phoenix began his acting career with television roles before his breakout performance in the 1987 film Stand by Me. His prodigious talent—along with his heartfelt activism for issues such as animal rights, human rights, and environmentalism—garnered him immense admiration and a series of accolades. His performances in Running on Empty (1988), McKetrick's Complaint (1988), and My Own Private Idaho (1991) were nominated for Academy Awards, and his popular songs "Lonely in Love" and "Don't Give Up" can still be heard to this day. In his short life, Phoenix was a presence of light and passion among the film and music industries, and his legacy continues to live on in his fans, friends, and works. He is survived by his parents, four siblings, and his devoted companion, Samantha Mathis.