River Phoenix and John Belushi, two brilliant and charismatic actors of their time, left an indelible mark on Hollywood but also met tragic ends. Phoenix, known for his roles in "Stand by Me" and "My Own Private Idaho," died of a drug overdose outside The Viper Room in Los Angeles in 1993 at age 23. Similarly, Belushi, famous for his roles in "Saturday Night Live" and "Animal House," succumbed to a fatal combination of drugs and alcohol in a Los Angeles hotel room in 1982 at age 33. Their untimely deaths, shrouded in both sorrow and controversy, remain sobering reminders of the perilous temptations and pressures that can accompany fame and success in the entertainment industry.
