Joaquin Phoenix’s 911 call would play in the media in the days following River Phoenix’s death.
The Oscar winner said the attention and commotion surrounding his brother’s death impeded on his mourning process at the time, and to this day he still struggles with saying his brother’s name or talking about him.
Phoenix told 60 Minutes the media coverage of his brother’s death was a surprise to the family, who was largely disconnected from entertainment and unaware of how famous River was at the time.