Lost In Hollywood: The Fast Times And Short Life Of River Phoenix

by John Glatt

Was the burden of fame too much?

He was called "one of the most gifted actors of his generation." His work in films like The Mosquito Coast, Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade, and My Own Private Idaho made him a favorite of critics and the public alike.

But all that promise would soon come tragically to an end. In 1994 outside a Hollywood club called The Viper Room, River Phoenix lay dying from a drug overdose. His tragic death at the age of twenty-three shocked America, who had known him as a strict vegetarian, close to his family and committed to saving the environment.

Learn the truth about how:

- He lost his virginity at the age of four
- He financially supported his parents and four siblings in his mid-teens
- He felt burdened to save the world - and believed his fame was a platform to do it
- He shunned his image as a teenage heartthrob - and was shy around girls
- He secretly turned to drugs and alcohol to numb his pain

Veteran journalist John Glatt delivers an intimate portrait of River Phoenix, whose noble ideals and raw talent could not protect him from the pressures of fame.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography

306 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

English-born John Glatt is the author of Golden Boy Lost and Found, Secrets in the Cellar, Playing with Fire, and many other bestselling books of true crime. He has more than 30 years of experience as an investigative journalist in England and America. Glatt left school at 16 and worked a variety of jobs—including tea boy and messenger—before joining a small weekly newspaper. He freelanced at several English newspapers, then in 1981 moved to New York, where he joined the staff for News Limited and freelanced for publications including Newsweek and the New York Post. His first book, a biography of Bill Graham, was published in 1981, and he published For I Have Sinned, his first book of true crime, in 1998. He has appeared on television and radio programs all over the world, including ABC- 20/20Dateline NBC, Fox News, Current Affair, BBC World, and A&E Biography. He and his wife Gail divide their time between New York City, the Catskill Mountains and London.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/johnglatt

Reviews

[J.H. Moncrieff · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure if the author had a vision as to how he would portray Phoenix in this book, or if he just tried to let all the interviews with the actor and others speak for themselves. Whatever the case, Phoenix comes across as quite unlikeable for most of the book--arrogant, unfaithful, ungrateful, inconsiderate, and foolish, among other fine qualities.

The oft-repeated lament that Phoenix was just "too sensitive" for Hollywood and used drugs and alcohol to "numb his pain" is at war with all the friends who said the actor wanted to try absolutely all life had to offer, including drugs. If he was truly using drugs as therapy instead of getting off on being high, that didn't come across in numerous interviews. Two different women he loved gave him a choice: the drugs or me, and he always chose the drugs.

I remember being very upset when he died, not only because of the tragedy, but because he'd lied to us, his fans. While preaching the benefits of a life free from drugs, he was doing cocaine, heroin, and pretty much anything else he could get his hands on. To the very end, his concern for his public image was so great that his last words reportedly were, "No paparazzi. I want anonymity."

It was hard to read about his complaints about his fans, how he turned his nose up at the very people who'd supported his meteoric career, and that he hated Stand By Me. While an easy, quick read and difficult to put down at times, especially near the end, I almost wish I'd kept my rose-colored vision of Phoenix as this sweet, tormented soul who lost his way because of his great emotional pain, not Glatt's portrayal of a greasy-haired, socially awkward junkie who said wildly inappropriate things to his female costars.

There is a bit too much unnecessary repetition. Apparently, Phoenix identified with every single character he played because they all reminded him of his childhood--hard to believe--and every person he met became his good friend. Except for his last costar, who comes across as the biggest ass imaginable.

[gravegirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

based on what people around him remember about him and a walk through every step of his career.. some people felt like the author was picking on River but i didn't see it that way. I think the real River was a little different than the perfect image in their minds and had faults. that can be kind of jarring... excellent read and walk through the hollywood of the eighties and early nineties.

[Kayla Sullinger]

I was barely a baby when River Phoenix died.But when I was maybe 10 years old I saw "Stand By Me" and fell in love.Little did I know that this man had died.When I read this I got the impression that John Glatt disliked River a lot.Like the only reason he was writing it was because he knew the subject would sell books.I honestly did not like it.I felt like I didn't get as many facts as I got from other books I have read about River.

[Beelove · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is accurate as to what I remember of that time and place- I purchased this book when it first came out and found it to be a fair portrayal (someone i know was interviewed).

I feel like the negative reviews mainly come from people who weren't around in the 80s and 90s.

I've read it a few times since and my opinion remains the same.

[Kellie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Man, did I love River Phoenix when I was young. It was eye-opening and sad to read about his short life. His rising addiction to alcohol was pretty obvious, but if his family did not know about his drug use then he must have hidden it very well. The book was uneven in spots, with some inconsistencies, but overall you can tell the author interviewed a lot of people.

[bitchrepublic · Rating 4 out of 5]

an explicit read into his poor little famous boy life. something that touches only one's heart from this tortured soul.

[Debbie Kunkler]

very interesting life..And sad at the same time good book..If you like bio.

[Victoria Cowden-moyneur · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author, John Glatt did a wonderful job of telling us about the short-lived River Phoenix. His research was well done and anyone who remembers the tremendously gifted actor should read this novel.

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unless I missed something, no one seemed to recognize that River Phoenix was mentally ill and needed treatment. It wasn't the drugs, although that certainly didn't help.