Last night at the Viper Room : River Phoenix and the Hollywood he left behind

In Last Night at the Viper Room, acclaimed author and journalist Gavin Edwards vividly recounts the life and tragic death of acclaimed actor River Phoenix—a teen idol on the fast track to Hollywood royalty who died of a drug overdose in front of West Hollywood’s storied club, the Viper Room, at the age of 23.Last Night at the Viper Room explores the young star’s life, including his childhood in Venezuela growing up under the aegis of the cultish Children of God. Putting him at the center of a new generation of leading men emerging in the early 1990s— including Johnny Depp, Keanu Reeves, Brad Pitt, Nicolas Cage, and Leonardo DiCaprio—Gavin Edwards traces the Academy Award nominee’s meteoric rise, couches him in an examination of the 1990s, and illuminates his lasting legacy on Hollywood and popular culture itself. In Last Night At The Viper Room, Acclaimed Author And Journalist Gavin Edwards Vividly Recounts The Life And Tragic Death Of Acclaimed Actor River Phoenix--a Teen Idol On The Fast Track To Hollywood Royalty Who Died Of A Drug Overdose In Front Of West Hollywood's Storied Club, The Viper Room, At The Age Of 23. Last Night At The Viper Room Explores The Young Star's Life, Including His Childhood In Venezuela Growing Up Under The Aegis Of The Cultish Children Of God. Putting Him At The Center Of A New Generation Of Leading Men Emerging In The Early 1990's--including Johnny Depp, Keanu Reeves, Brad Pitt, Nicolas Cage, And Leonardo Dicaprio--gavin Edwards Traces The Academy Award Nominee's Meteoric Rise, Couches Him In An Examination Of The 1990s, And Illuminates His Lasting Legacy On Hollywood And Popular Culture Itself. When You're Young, You Just Accept What Grown-ups Tell You -- I'm Going To Be Famous -- An Excuse To Get That Far Out Of Your Head -- We're All Worth Millions Of Planets And Stars And Galaxies And Universes -- Barreling Through Someone's Psychosis -- I Don't Want You To Die -- Epilogue. Gavin Edwards. In Last Night at the Viper Room , acclaimed author and journalist Gavin Edwards vividly recounts the life and tragic death of acclaimed actor River Phoenixa teen idol on the fast track to Hollywood royalty who died of a drug overdose in front of West Hollywoods storied club, the Viper Room, at the age of 23. Last Night at the Viper Room explores the young stars life, including his childhood in Venezuela growing up under the aegis of the cultish Children of God. Putting him at the center of a new generation of leading men emerging in the early 1990s including Johnny Depp, Keanu Reeves, Brad Pitt, Nicolas Cage, and Leonardo DiCaprioGavin Edwards traces the Academy Award nominees meteoric rise, couches him in an examination of the 1990s, and illuminates his lasting legacy on Hollywood and popular culture itself. Raised in Venezuela under the aegis of the cultish Children of God, 18-year-old River Phoenix took Hollywood by storm when he starred in Stand By Me, and soon won an Oscar nomination for Running on Empty. Praised by his peers as the most talented actor of his generation, River came of age in the spotlight. Yet, on October 31, 1993, at the age of 23, River Phoenix died of a drug overdose in front of West Hollywood's storied club, the Viper Room. Gavin Edward tells the story of the night River Phoenix died and explores the world he lived in, his life, and lasting legacy Provides a minute-by-minute account of the night River Phoenix died of a drug overdose in front of the Viper Room and explores the world in which he lived, his life, his impact on Hollywood, and his lasting legacy