Johnny Depp has had his fair share of success as well as controversies. While his very public battle with his ex-wife Amber Heard got itself a Netflix space, on the other hand, his involvement in another high-profile controversy still casts a dark shadow over his life.
In 1993, the world woke up to the shocking news of actor River Phoenix passing away with an apparent drug overdose. Further, he died just outside Viper Room nightclub, which was partly owned by Johnny Depp at the time.
So, as soon as this news was out in the open, fans came after Depp and linked him with the young actor’s death.
The Dark Link Between Johnny Depp and River Phoenix’s Tragic End
River Phoenix had everything going well for him in the industry. From well-acclaimed movies to his handsome looks, the actor was a beloved figure in the 1990s. But with fame, he also struggled with addiction that ultimately led to his death on October 31, 1993, at the young age of 23.
This came as a shocker for his friends who knew that the actor was trying to get sober, even going as far as staying sober for 2 months during the filming of Dark Blood in Mexico.
But as soon as he reached back home in Los Angeles, he gave into drugs again, leading to his death outside the Viper Room nightclub. A tragedy that still haunts the club to this day. On the tragic day, a bouncer of the club escorted the actor outside when he collapsed on the ground.
Further, he began convulsing, much to the horror of his siblings Joaquin Phoenix and Rain Phoenix, as well as his girlfriend at the time, Samantha Mathis. They tried calling an ambulance, but it was too late. While in the club his siblings didn’t notice anything unusual, but his girlfriend sensed something was amiss with River Phoenix.
She added in an interview, “I knew something was wrong that night, something I didn’t understand.” Further, “I didn’t see anyone doing drugs, but he was high in a way that made me feel uncomfortable.” While his siblings and his girlfriend tried everything in their power to save the actor, he sadly passed away even before help arrived.
Further, the autopsy revealed that Phoenix died from an overdose of heroin and cocaine. Immediately after his death, the media as well as the public linked Johnny Depp to the tragedy, given he co-owned the club. But Depp expressed his opinions on the matter as well in a past interview.
Johnny Depp on Being Targeted for River Phoenix’s Death
Johnny Depp was on the receiving end of a lot of anger as well as hate when River Phoenix died outside his notorious Viper Room nightclub. The Pirates of the Caribbean actor addressed the accusations during a 1996 interview and dismissed the accusations as being baseless and hurtful. Depp expressed his frustration with the entire narrative that he allowed drugs to be used in his club.
Further, such absurd rumors are not only false but also disrespectful towards the late actor. He added, “What a ridiculous thought! ‘Hey, I’m going to spend a lot of money on this nightclub so everyone can come here and do drugs.”
In order to manage the media frenzy and scrutiny as well as to pay respect to River Phoenix, Depp closed the club for a couple of days. But he allowed fans of the late actor to visit and leave flowers in order to pay their final respects. The actor also admitted that despite his efforts to separate himself from the scandal, Phoenix’s death affected him for a very long time.
However, he later came to terms with the fact that while Phoenix’s death was tragic, the club’s involvement was a matter of unfortunate coincidence.
