Martha Plimpton on River Phoenix’s Struggles Before His Death

Martha Plimpton has never forgotten what it was like being River Phoenix’s “first love” and how he struggled with fame before his death at age 23.

“He was not as equipped, I think, as maybe some other people might be to handle that stuff,” Plimpton, 54, said of Phoenix’s rise to fame during the Tuesday, June 17, episode of Jesse Tyler Ferguson‘s “Dinner’s on Me” podcast.

She explained, “Because he was a very, at heart, very innocent and a driven-by-love human being. So the contradictions of Hollywood and show business were much more difficult for him.” Plimpton noted, “It was easier for me, because I grew up in New York and I was already a cynic by the time I was 13.”

The Goonies actress added: “I think fame was really hard on River. I think he really just didn’t know what to do with all of that. He wanted to do good. The contradictions of it were too difficult.”

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Plimpton and Phoenix met as teenagers filming 1986’s The Mosquito Coast where they sparked a four-year romance. (The movie came out the same year as Stand By Me, which is one of Phoenix’s most iconic roles.)

During their relationship, Plimpton saw Phoenix’s career take off including being his plus 1 at the 1989 Academy Awards where he was nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his part in Running on Empty. Plimpton was also part of the project, playing Lorna Phillips, while Phoenix portrayed Danny Pope.

Once they split, Plimpton and Phoenix remained close friends until his death in 1993 at the age of 23.

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“We did remain friends. We were each other’s first love,” she recalled. “That relationship never really goes away. You can’t ever let something like that go. It’s just too important and too, like, altering.”

The Raising Hope actress fondly spoke of her time with Phoenix, saying, “I mean, it’s made you who you are, especially in those really formative years. I mean, it’s a huge part of who I am.”

While Phoenix’s life was cut short after he suffered a drug overdose outside of Los Angeles’ famed Viper Room, Plimpton is confident if the actor had time he would’ve overcome his addiction issues — and become an example of what not to do.

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“He was lucky to have me and his family, his brothers and sisters,” she shared. “I think, you know, his personality or his affliction, his illness was incredibly difficult for him to manage on his own.”

She said through tears, “And he never really got the help that I think he would’ve done amazingly well with if he had gotten that help.”

Plimpton got choked up, adding, “I think he would have been an incredible advocate for sobriety and for people struggling with addiction. Unfortunately, it just got him before he had a chance to do that. But yeah, I miss him every single day.”

At the time of his death, River was survived by his parents, John and Arlyn “Heart” Phoenix, and his four siblings: Joaquin, Rain, Liberty and Summer Phoenix, all of whom pursued acting at a young age.