There may never have been a more gifted child actor than River Phoenix, and so therefore there may have been no greater waste of acting talent than when Phoenix died of a drug overdose outside the notorious Viper Lounge in 1993, aged only 23. Phoenix, a lifelong vegan, had been considered to be one of the cleanest-cut stars in Hollywood, and so his death came as a great shock to the whole world.
Phoenix inspired many during his life. He campaigned for PETA as part of his commitment to veganism, took on the role of a gay man during a time that such things were still controversial, and supported environmental causes. He was something of a modern-day hippy, which may explain the garland of flowers below this tattoo tribute to him. There's a touch of James Dean to the way he looks here; a comparison that was made often during his life.