Hollywood stars who died young - troubled past, overdoses and cause of death mystery

dailystar.co.uk:

Hollywood’s greatest stars were taken too soon, their deaths still mourned to this day and will be for years to come.While the industry keeps moving, their memory still remains and their legacy will live on through the impression they left on fans, friends and family.As the anniversary of River Phoenix’s birthday approaches, take a look back at some of the most iconic actors from the 90s and 2000s whose lives were cut short.READ MORE: Marilyn Manson unrecognisable on rare outing with wife Lindsay amid sex assault claimsTheir influence is still felt throughout the entertainment industry, whether it be creating laughs with comedy or thrilling audiences in an action flick, read on to pay homage to a few of the best of their time.The eldest brother of Rain, Joaquin, Liberty and Summer Phoenix, River’s life was tragically cut short after an overdose back in 1993.River had no formal schooling but, from a young age, the star showed an acute interest in playing guitar which led to a love of the arts.He flourished and was involved in acting from age 10, when he starred in commercials before he made it onto the silver screen in his breakthrough role as Wolfgang in 1985’s Explorers.River was most known for his role in Stand By Me, a coming of age film adapted from a Stephen King novel about four boys who come face to face with mortality.He then made it big time, going on to star in Running On Empty and My Own Private Idaho before his untimely death.Aged just 23, River died from a combined drug intoxication of cocaine and heroin during the early hours of Halloween in 1993.He was at the Viper Room, a club in Los Angeles owned by Johnny Depp, when he began having seizures on the pavement outside.Ledger’s life was cut short in January.