A rising star
Although today Joaquin is the only one of the siblings who achieved world-fame, when they had just started their career, his older brother, River, was the real star of the family. At the age of fifteen, River’s memorable performance in the film Stand by Me marked him as a rising star in the industry, and was praised by critics, describing the young actor as the film’s “center of gravity.”
It’s safe to assume his troubled childhood affected his portrayal of the young troubled man. River has gone on to star in the films The Mosquito Coast and My Own Private Idaho, where he played alongside actor Keanu Reeves. His roles always swept away and touched both fans and critics. Sadly, River never got the chance to live out his career.