River Phoenix

“I've been wanting to go into music ever since I can remember. I mean even before I became an actor. I just thought it would be a tough field to break into, so I became an actor instead.”

“When I was in first grade, everyone made fun of my name, of course. I think it's kind of a big name to hold up when you're nine years old. It seemed goofy. I used to tell people I wanted to change the world and they used to think, 'This kid's really weird'.”

“Everything is ironic to me. There are moments I find hysterical, but I'm probably the only one who would find that, except for a few people.”

“Vegetarianism is a link to perfection and peace.”

“I don't want to die in a car accident. When I die it'll be a glorious day. It'll probably be a waterfall.”

“I have a lot of chameleon qualities, I get very absorbed in my surroundings.”

“People wonder if I'll always be a part of this family and the answer is yes. My family has a lot of good energy going in one direction and because of it, we get a lot of things done. That's why I'll always spend a lot of time at Camp Phoenix.”

“Commercials were too phony for me. I just didn't like selling products I didn't believe in.”

“I'd like to play every type of character, but only once. I like to expierence things.”

“In simplicity there is truth.”

“I sometimes lie, especially about personal things, because what does it matter? I am a kind of minute commodity, my name is no longer my own.”

“I'm really normal. I play football, go to the beach, drive. We have dogs. I can imagine people calling me a character, but I'm Joe Straight.”

“I would never, never do anything unless I believed in it.”

“We were constantly moving to different countries and adjusting to new things. It was such a free feeling. I'm glad I didn't have a traditional upbringing.”

“It still strikes me as strange that anyone could have any moral objection to someone else's sexuality. It's like telling someone else how to clean their house.”

“I can't on my own change the regime in South Africa or teach the Palestinians to learn to live with the Israelies, but I can start with me.”

“Music is a whole oasis in my head. The creation process is so personal and fulfilling.”

“I wouldn't eat a hamburger for 40,000 dollars.”

“We are taught to consume. And that's what we do. But if we realized that there really is no reason to consume, that it's just a mind set, that it's just an addiction, then we wouldn't be out there stepping on people's hands climbing the corporate ladder of success.”

“It's a great feeling to think that I can be a friend to so many people through my movies.”