Martha Plimpton Opens Up About ‘First Love’ River Phoenix

“The Goonies” star Martha Plimpton recently shared some insight into how her “first love” River Phoenix struggled with fame before he tragically passed away at age 23. 

“I think fame was really hard on River,” Plimpton said on the “Dinner’s on Me with Jesse Tyler Ferguson” podcast. “I think he really just didn’t know what to do with all of that.” 

The “Raising Hope” actor went on to explain that Phoenix had a hard time navigating the entertainment industry because of his sensitive disposition. “…he was a very, at heart, very innocent and a driven-by-love human being,” she said. “So the contradictions of Hollywood and show business were much more difficult for him.”

Plimpton herself didn’t have the same issues as Phoenix, since growing up in New York City had given her a tougher edge. “I was already a cynic by the time I was 13,” she shared.

Plimpton and Phoenix’s Relationship

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Martha Plimpton and River Phoenix met while filming “The Mosquito Coast” in 1986 and dated for the next four years. She told Jesse Tyler Ferguson that she and Phoenix were each other’s first loves, and that was something that she has held onto throughout her adult life.

“I mean, it’s made you who you are, especially in those really formative years,” Plimpton shared. “…it’s a huge part of who I am.” She and Phoenix remained good friends even after their romance ended, and it seems it was a difficult relationship to fully get over. 

“That relationship never really goes away,” Plimpton explained. “You can’t ever let something like that go. It’s just too important and too, like, altering.”

River Phoenix’s Legacy

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River Phoenix passed away after an accidental overdose in 1993, but that is far from how he will be remembered. 

Phoenix’s career began in 1982 on the series “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.” He went on to star in what would become classic films such as “Stand by Me,” “Running on Empty,” and “My Own Private Idaho.” 

Throughout his impressive career, Phoenix, the brother of renowned actor Joaquin Phoenix, was nominated for a slew of awards, including an Oscar nomination for his performance in “Running on Empty.” 

While Phoenix’s life was cut tragically short, Plimpton reflected that he might have overcome his substance issues if only he’d had the right resources. “ …he never really got the help that I think he would’ve done amazingly well with if he had gotten that help,” she tearfully revealed. 

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