'Variety Confidential': Samantha Mathis Shares Fond Memories of Ex River Phoenix, Celebrates His Impact and Fierce Activism William EarlAugust 15, 2025 at 9:00 PM In the early morning hours of Oct. 31, 1993, Hollywood lost one of its brightest young stars.
- - 'Variety Confidential': Samantha Mathis Shares Fond Memories of Ex River Phoenix, Celebrates His Impact and Fierce Activism
William EarlAugust 15, 2025 at 9:00 PM
In the early morning hours of Oct. 31, 1993, Hollywood lost one of its brightest young stars. River Phoenix, the 23-year-old actor whose talent and charisma had made him a generational icon, collapsed outside the Viper Room nightclub in West Hollywood. Within an hour, he was pronounced dead at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
In the third episode of "Variety Confidential: The Life and Legend of River Phoenix," produced in partnership with iHeartPodcasts, the podcast transitions from the moment that the actor's world began to unravel on the set of "My Own Private Idaho" to the final year of his life. Joining host Tatiana Siegel are some of the people closest to Phoenix during that pivotal time frame, including his girlfriend at the time, Samantha Mathis, and his close friend and confidant Matthew Ebert.
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The latest episode, "Gone Too Soon," examines the events leading up to that night — from the actor's last movie to the tragedy that unfolded on Sunset Boulevard.
By 1993, Phoenix's struggles with substance abuse issues had become known within Hollywood. Yet he continued working, filming the thriller "Dark Blood" opposite Jonathan Pryce and Judy Davis. Close friend Matthew Ebert recalls that the actor was spiraling and that no one on the production intervened. "You couldn't not know he was using because he was a mess," Ebert says in the podcast. "There was no support for him to get sober."
Phoenix's final night began as a Halloween celebration at the Viper Room, partly owned by Johnny Depp. He arrived with Mathis, and his siblings Joaquin and Rain. Inside, the house band "P." — featuring Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Depp on guitar — played a set that included a chilling, impromptu reference to Phoenix by frontman Gibby Haynes. Minutes later, Phoenix staggered outside, where he collapsed. A frantic 911 call from his brother Joaquin described him having seizures on the sidewalk.
The coroner's report later confirmed a lethal combination of heroin and cocaine, along with marijuana, Valium, and an over-the-counter cold medicine. His death was ruled accidental.
The news sent shockwaves through Hollywood. "It was analogous to what happened with John Belushi," Variety's Brent Lang says in the episode. "This blazing talent, who was extinguished at such a young age … a cautionary tale about the perils and the price of fame."
Mathis, who rarely speaks about Phoenix, offers a personal portrait: "He was just dazzling. He had that spirit. He was feisty, smart, quick and present. He was such a present person and a bit of mischievousness to his personality with a kind soul." She also remembers his fierce activism, particularly for animal rights, and the way he challenged her as a fellow performer in "The Thing Called Love."
Funeral services were held in both Los Angeles and Gainesville, Fla., drawing a who's who of young Hollywood. For Ebert, who attended both, the grief was unimaginable. "I was just too emotional to really lock in on any of it. It all just seemed like a nightmare, a weird dream," he adds.
More than three decades later, Phoenix's performances in films like "My Own Private Idaho" and "Running on Empty" continue to inspire. His talent, says Mathis, was unique, calling him "a true artist."
"Variety Confidential," distributed by iHeart Podcasts, is available on the iHeartRadio app, Variety.com, as well as other major podcast platforms. "Variety Confidential" was created by Dea Lawrence, Variety's COO and CMO, and Steve Gaydos. Season 2 is executive produced by Dea Lawrence and Tatiana Siegel.
Sources and Citations
Variety
River Phoenix dies suddenly at 23; autopsy is pending, Variety Archives, Nov. 1, 1993
Phoenix death halts project; 'Dark Blood' put on 'prod'n' hiatus,' Variety Archives, Nov. 2, 1993
Just for Variety, Variety Archives, Nov. 4, 1993
Just for Variety, Variety Archives, Nov. 5, 1993
L.A. SEEN by Pleasant Gehman, Variety Archives, Nov. 8, 1993
Just for Variety, Variety Archives, Nov. 10, 1993
River Phoenix obituary, Variety Archives, Nov. 15, 1993
Coroner says overdose killed Phoenix, Variety Archives, Nov. 15, 1993
Just for Variety, Variety Archives, Nov. 19, 1993
Additional Resources
30 Years On: The Death of River Phoenix | DARK SIDE OF THE 90s, VICE TV, Oct. 31, 2023
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