Samantha Mathis Opens Up About The Night Her Boyfriend, River Phoenix, Died At 23
Twenty-five years after the tragic death of actor and musician River Phoenix, Samantha Mathis has recalled that heartbreaking night. Mathis, one of the stars of American Psycho, met Phoenix when she was just 19-years-old. The pair became romantically involved following their 1993 film, A Thing Called Love. According to People, Mathis quickly became smitten with the star and had a feeling she would end up with him forever.
Although the two were very different, the relationship worked well and they both shared a special focus on family. Phoenix had five siblings, Joaquin, Rain, Summer, Liberty, and Jodean, who is a half-sister. Growing up with barely enough money for food, Phoenix and his siblings would often play music on street corners to help support their family. As a result, Phoenix was known to be especially protective of his younger siblings. Before his death, he even told Mathis his primary encouragement to continue acting was to put his younger sister through college.
