River Jude Phoenix (August 23, 1970 - October 31, 1993) was an Oscar (Academy Award)- and Golden Globe-nominated American film actor. He was listed on John Willis Screen World, Vol. 38 as one of twelve "promising new actors of 1986", and was hailed as highly talented by such critics as Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel. Also well known for his animal rights activism, he was a spokesperson for PETA and a strict vegan (veganism).

On Halloween morning, 1993, Phoenix died of a drug overdose on the sidewalk outside the West Hollywood (West Hollywood, California) nightclub the Viper Room. He was the oldest sibling of actors Rain Phoenix, Joaquin Phoenix, Liberty Phoenix and Summer Phoenix.