Sadly, River Phoenixs death in 1993 wasnt a complete surprise. This memorial in Arcadia, California was dedicated by Iris Burton the talent agent who discovered Phoenix. ", 10 Wild, Violent, And Tragic Stories From The Viper Room, The Legendary Bar Owned By Johnny Depp, The Viper Room rose to Hollywood infamy after, The night club's reputation has calmed in recent years aftershifting ownership and focusingon breaking underground talent rather than housing well-known rock stars like, River Phoenix's tragic death cemented the Viper Room's infamous reputation. The Viper Room rose to Hollywood infamy after River Phoenix tragically overdosedthere on Halloween night in 1993, and his brother's harrowing 911 call was broadcast on news channels around the world. Tragically, this would culminate in his death outside the notorious Viper Room nightclub. On the night of his passing, River drank a speedball a highly toxic mix of heroin and cocaine dissolved into his drink. Two theories have circulated about how the Viper Room got its name. Yet, Donovan would make a recovery, getting released from the hospital three hours later. Little did the world know how much pressure he was putting on himself. I wanted to reach out and say hello because he was this great mystery and wed never met, said DiCaprio. Samantha Mathis felt like something wasnt right. Before the untimely death of River Phoenix, he had been struggling with cocaine and heroin abuse. This shop would remain there for about 20 years. Tickets: $25 . Station club. Anyone who's anyone in Los Angeles has heard of The Viper Room on Sunset Strip in West Hollywood The now-haunted hotspot rose to its infamy after River Phoenix passed away in the bar on Halloween night in 1993 from an overdose. The city's growing pains came with a resurgence of interest in the unincorporated Sunset Strip's dealings and increasing public scrutiny. Curtis claims he and Maguire used Bloom as a distraction so that players wouldn't get alarmed by their losses at the table. Johnny Depp was one of the owners (he would give up his stake in 2004). But those who go there know it. The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesRiver Phoenix (left) with Liza Minnelli (right) in 1991. Mobsters assaulted her after she refused them a percentage, and she was eventually caught and received twelve months of probation. At first, she thought the two men were fighting, but then she saw Phoenix drop to the ground and go into convulsions. After the tragedy, his brother's 911 call was broadcast all over the world. Its not the first time Johnny Depp has been near the hot seat of the federal court of law! A few days later, on October 30, 1993, River decided to visit The Viper Room with his girlfriend Samantha Mathis, his brother Joaquin Phoenix, and his sister Rain Phoenix. Probably most famous for being the site where River Phoenix lost his life, The Viper Room goes back way before that fateful day in 1993 when he collapsed out front. According to his autobiography,Between the Lines: My Story Uncut, as highlighted in The Mirror, Donovan had a near-death experience at the Viper Room after succumbing to cocaine-induced seizures. Upon his arrival, the actor went on a massive drug binge with Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist John Frusciante. But few in attendance could've predicted the future of the smoke-filled joint, as Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers inaugurated the location. They very politely handcuffed me and sat me on the curb right outside the Viper Room. It soon became a hotbed for young celebrities, and just two months later, on Halloween, its most famous tragedy happened. By today's standards, the Phil Moore Four marked a veritable yawn-fest, promising "Music with a Sweet Beat," and likely equally "Sweet Dreams." After winning the Oscar for Best Actor at the 92nd Academy Awards in 2020, the Joker star offered a tribute to his late sibling during a touching speech: When he was 17, my brother wrote this lyric. By 2001, a court case was on the horizon, with Fox fully prepared to testify against Depp. I tried to steady myself but my legs buckled under me and I fell to the floor.". According to LAist, The Viper Room is closing it's doors (for now) and will be remodeled as part of a 12-story high rise. Phoenix had struggled with cocaine and heroin addiction. The iconic Viper Room opened by Johnny Depp and former actor Sal Jenco in 1993 will become a. [7], Despite the death of River Phoenix the year the venue opened, the club became and remained a hangout for Hollywood's most popular young actors and musicians. Directors, producers, and silver screen stars demanded luxuries and depravities alike, from exclusive boutiques to high-end cafes, gambling halls to alcohol-fueled speakeasies. But not all participants of these underground celeb poker games agrees with Bloom's take on the scene. Newfound respect for the law meant a "last call" for the Last Call, which closed due to "lewd and lascivious" shows, likely featuring drag queens, on April 5, 1951. US Ghost Adventures offers entertaining, historic, and authentic ghost tours of the United States While Joaquin and Rain didnt notice anything unusual, Mathis had a feeling that something was off with River. And I think that weve all felt his presence and guidance in our lives in numerous ways.. According to one waitress, she states that the Viper Room regularly hosted games featuring some of Hollywoods most elite stars like DiCaprio, Ben Affleck, and Tobey Maguire. Coordinates: .mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}34525.7N 118234.8W / 34.090472N 118.384667W / 34.090472; -118.384667. His skin began to gray, and he allegedly told Forrest, "I don't feel so good. On Dec. 26, 1952, another salacious event took place on the sidewalk in front of the building. Coupled with the infamous hit on Bugsy Siegel a few years earlier in 1947, this meant an end to the stranglehold the mafia had over West Hollywood. They went into a quieter area and were able to capture voices on tape that Viper Room employee Rita Fiora believed to be River when he said, I get confused.. Scala Productions/Sluizer FilmsRiver Phoenix in his last film, Dark Blood, which was released nearly 20 years after his death. Known as the "vegan James Dean," Phoenix's untimely death shocked many who celebrated the actor as an emblem of healthy living and environmentalism. Im going back to the bad, bad town, Phoenix said. One of the oldest buildings on the Sunset Strip, it dates back to 1921. Some say Johnny Depp named the place after a Louisiana jazz club, and others say it refers to pot-smoking jazz musicians of that era. Have you ever visited the Viper Room? Creepy Occult Around Los Angeles. When she came out, she witnessed a bouncer shoving her boyfriend and another man out the door. LA Curbed reports that the 1.7-mile stretch of Sunset Boulevard comprising the strip lay in an unincorporated region of Los Angeles County, outside of L.A. Police Department jurisdiction. River Phoenix and his younger brother Joaquin, pictured in the early 1980s. There is also a nightclub in Stockholm, Sweden, "as well as ones in Harrogate, UK, Vienna, Austria, and another in Sheffield UK similarly named." So despite its divey and dingey reputation, it was a haven for celebrities to escape the limelight and kick back like civilians. It was announced in 2022 that the old Viper Room will be replaced with a . Ghost Adventures: The Viper Room Next stop with the Ghost Adventures crew: the infamous Viper Room on West Hollywood's Sunset Strip. From Sacramento, the California Legislature dispatched the Subcommittee on Public Morals to the scene, writes Playground to the Stars. Venomous African viper: Room opening that may "swing" or "revolve": Restaurant overseer, for short: Golf prop: There you have it, every crossword clue and answer from the Daily Themed Crossword on May 2 2023. The Creepiest LA Ghost Stories. 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What could you expect from a night at the Greenwich Village Inn? He chased it with Valium. The Magic Castle Is Haunted. In 1972, River Phoenixs parents decided to join the Children of God cult. As a mixed use development, 8850 Sunset Boulevard will also house multiple eateries, cafes, retail spaces. Few nights proved more happening than Aug. 14, 1993, on the south side of the Sunset Strip. Phoenix's death was a tragedy that brought fans and . But River Phoenixs death cast a dark shadow on The Viper Room which haunts the venue to this day. Jun 24, 2022 11:18 AM EDT In 1993, young Hollywood movie star River Phoenix's life was tragically cut short as he overdosed on drugs at the notorious nightclub The Viper Room. After River Phoenixs death, The Viper Room temporarily closed in his honor. Eventually, events moved to other locations like the Beverly Hills Hotel before coming to a halt after Bloom's arrest in 2013. Since he disappeared so close to the day he was to testify, some believe that Depp exercised his power and is somehow responsible. Both have origins in the New Orleans jazz scene of the 1920s and 1930s. 373K views, 4.8K likes, 1K loves, 474 comments, 1K shares, Facebook Watch Videos from BuzzFeed Unsolved: This infamous club on Sunset Boulevard has been home to countless famous faces in its nearly. A nightclub located in Cincinnati, Ohio, was formerly called "The Viper Room". Since then, the club famously owned by Johnny Depp has been known as a hotbed for unsavory activity. [citation needed] In Oliver Stone's film The Doors (1991), the building was used as a filming location for scenes depicting the London Fog, also of West Hollywood. At the time, the club was partly owned by Johnny Depp, and was a haven for celebrities to kick back and party. Though the nightclub eventually reopened, many regulars said that it was never the same again. En el cine The Viper Room ha sido un protagonista asiduo: en la pelcula de 1983 'Valley Girl', el edificio (que entonces albergaba un club nocturno llamado The Central) se utiliz para escenas en las que apareca la banda de la nueva ola, los Plimsouls.En la pelcula de Oliver Stone 'The Doors' (1991), el edificio hizo las veces del local London Fog, que se encontraba tambin en . It was opened in 1993 and has been famous in the news for various reasons at various times. Though he was wearing shorts, he took the dare, and the window shattered. Things were not . Rivers unfortunate drug-related death isnt the only upsetting story linked with The Viper Room. Mobsters held the Sunset Strip in their grip, making money hand-over-fist from illegal prostitution, drug sales, and illegal gambling, all while offering financial incentives to local law enforcement who looked the other way. I knew the symptoms all too well My heart was racing, my vision was blurry and I was becoming disoriented. Luckily, Donovan was okay and survived the overdose. After the tragedy, his brothers 911 call was broadcast all over the world. Two of Phoenixs siblings, Joaquin and Rain, were also in attendance. The Viper Room is known for the drug-fueled debauchery that ensued inside its doors during the '90s. His official cause of death was an overdose of cocaine and heroin. One bartender who had worked at the Viper Room for sixteen years said that he felt like the bottom bar had a different energy than the top a more malevolent one. The location itself initially operated as a grocery store from 1921 into the 1940s. Fox accused Depp and four other partners of conspiring to defraud the club of millions. Few movie stars of the early 1990s were as beloved as River Phoenix. A cop was sitting at a nearby red light and witnessed the whole thing. Beginning in 2005, the Viper Room housed some of Hollywood's highest-stakes poker games (via Time), with buy-ins starting at $5,000 and often going much higher. During their investigation, they heard disembodied voices saying Im confused. They told the ticket-booth operator Rita about them, and she claims that this voice belonged to the ghost of River Phoenix, who passed suddenly and tragically at the club. By the early 1990s, he had become a Hollywood star. But according to the Chicago Tribune, a violent scuffle would put a negative spotlight on the Viper Room on Sept. 29, 1996. During a 21st birthday party hosted for supermodel Kate Moss, Neighbours star Jason Donovan suffered a cocaine-induced seizure at the club. At the time, the Sunset Boulevard venue was partly owned by Johnny Depp. A celebrated rock 'n' roll dive Joaquin), witnessed the heartbreaking event, reports The Guardian, unable to save him despite CPR and a call to 911. Watch your inbox for new Haunting Tales and tour updates. Though he was wearing shorts, he took the dare, and the window shattered. In theory, at least, The Viper Room will re-emerge from the rubble. [1] The club became known for being a hangout of the young Hollywood elite, and was the site where actor River Phoenix died of a drug overdose on the night before Halloween in 1993. (Photo Credit: Rich Fury/ Getty Images). Kate Moss's21st birthday wasn't an exception which could be expected from the model whoselook basically, Donovan described the harrowing incident in his memoir, Donovan eventuallyturned his life around,at least partially due to the encouragement of Johnny Depp, who, River Phoenix Tragically Overdosed Outside Of The Viper Room, Slipknot's Corey Taylor Was Thrown In Jail After Purposely Smashing A Viper Room Window, Jason Donovan Was Carried Out Of The Viper Room In A Stretcher During Kate Moss's Birthday Party. Over the years, it attracted a steady crowd of recognizable faces, including Uma Thurman, Mick Jagger, Tommy Lee, Pamela Anderson, Charlize Theron, Pink, Juliette Lewis, Cameron Diaz, and more. Local bands, from the Red Hot Chili Peppers to the Pussycat Dolls, made it their spot, according toVariety. 8852 Sunset Blvd. In the 1970s, the club changed again to Filthy Mcnastys, where rock n roll began to come in. The Viper Room is a nightclub and live music venue located on the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood, California, United States. The most famous of these vipers, Louis Armstrong, peppered songs with the term, including 1928's "Muggles," as did Cab Calloway in his iconic "Reefer Man" from 1932 (via Jazziz). But he didnt stay there for long. MEDIA REVIEWS. Nevertheless, Donovan managed to keep his dependency a secret until receiving an invitation from Johnny Depp to then-girlfriend Kate Moss' 21st birthday in 1995. Depp was a part-owner in The Viper Room, with his business partner Anthony Fox having the other share. Many people associate 8852 Sunset with Cohen's headquarters, Michael's Exclusive Haberdashery, although the haberdashery sat one block east at 8804 Sunset. On the night River overdosed, he drank a speedball a mix of heroin and cocaine dissolved into a drink and chased it with Valium. Jennifer Anniston and a friend arrive at The Viper Room, 1999. In 2018, the Los Angeles Business Journal reported that the Viper Room sold along with three other Sunset Strip properties for a whopping $80 million to REM Finance, Inc., of Scottsdale, Ariz. Properties included the blocks of 8850 to 8860 Sunset Boulevard and 8874 to 8878 Sunset Boulevard. Cooper says the company continues to research the "highest and best use" of the property. Of course, times have changed since the club's height, and events have made for a precarious future. Much to the horror of his siblings and girlfriend, he started going into convulsions. Genre (s): Reality, Suspense, Documentary Watch Now Stream On Stream On Stream On Stream On One of the most famous girl groups of all time originated at The Viper Room. In a strange turn of events, DiCaprio actually saw Phoenix in Hollywood on the same night that he died just hours before he left this Earth. Vintage Pics from the Early 1900s. But since he wasnt needed for a certain night shoot, director George Sluizer allowed him to return to California. By the decade's end, the Greenwich Village Inn closed, and the Rue Angel briefly filled its spot. Regular attendee and card aficionado, Houston Curtis tells it differently in his book,Billion Dollar Hollywood Heist, as highlighted by the New York Post. Showing Editorial results for viper room. By June 1946, the grocery store vanished, replaced by the Cotton Club, an establishment that made no bones about attracting and entertaining America's most notorious criminals. The Viper Room has also been the site of some rather unsavory activity it was a place that put sex, drugs, and rock n roll on a pedestal. In an interview with USA Today, Duritz recalls continuing to work at the Viper Room after hitting it big because of the happening scene. Even today, the property is plagued by rumors of ghosts and missing bodies hidden within the bar's black exterior. On October 31, 1993, River Phoenix died from a drug overdose outside Johnny Depp's nightclub, the Viper Room. It started out as a grocery store, but soon turned into a nightclub called The Cotton Club, then the Greenwich Village Inn before becoming The Melody Room in the 1950s. Haunted house. Initially, Depp said it was hard returning to the Viper Room and haunting walking past the spot where Phoenix died. The Viper Room is a nightclub on the sunset strip of West Hollywood, California. By Tabatha Renz. Photo: Getty Images North America. Photo courtesy of Fllckr, jennyfersure CC-2.0, Given the death of River and the mobster connections, it would make sense for some interesting ghosts to be hanging around. Curtis claims Tobey Maguire staged the illegal games. But the illicit activities at the Viper Room wouldn't come to an end with Depp out of the picture. Messed Up Things That Happened At The Viper Room, University of Southern California Libraries. Although photos of the hedonistic event prove rare, tales (and fashion) from the party remain the stuff of legends, according to Vogue. Since its opening in 1993, the world-famous Viper Room has hosted the likes of Johnny Cash, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Stone Temple Pilots, Bruce Springsteen, Oasis, Queens of The Stone Age, Courtney Love, Natalie Cole, Elvis Costello, Pete Yorn, Lenny Kravitz, Pearl Jam, The Strokes, Weezer, Maroon 5, John Mayer, Iggy Pop and Sheryl Crow, as well as an array of other internationally . "It wouldn't be cool if anything was found on you by the medics,"he whispered. As the old nightclub is set to be demolished, we thought wed look back at The Viper Rooms illustrious history. Simoni King), a former sex worker and madam. But perhaps the nail in the coffin remains the fact that trendy bands and A-List celebs grace the club less often these days. Tragically, it was what happened on Halloween 1993 with one such young celebrity that's made The Viper Room infamous. Then, take a look at the mystery of Natalie Woods death. The Pussycat Dolls performed at The Viper Room until 2001. Tributes at The Viper Room honoring River Phoenix the day after his death in 1993. I must have blacked out again after that - the next memory I have is of being carried out of the club by paramedics on a stretcher. The Viper Room is the tenth episode of Season 14 of Ghost Adventures. Johnny Depp Was Blamed For River Phoenix's Death. It wasnt uncommon to see A-list stars, including Charlize Theron, Keanu Reeves, Jennifer Anniston, Pamela Anderson, and a young Leonardo DiCaprio, all rubbing shoulders at The Viper Room on any given evening. The club existed on the site of The Melody Room, formerly owned by gangster Bugsy Siegel in the 1940's. Johnny and musician Chuck E. Weiss went into business with Fox, took 51% ownership in . The Viper Room Zak and the crew investigate the infamous Viper Room on West Hollywood's Sunset Strip. It shatters and I turn around and there is a cop car sitting right at the red light. Visitors to the club today say yes, and the stories that still emanate from this serpentine structure surely corroborate those claims. More from us:The Party Scene Before Social Media Candid Photos of Wild Early 90s Hollywood. This was soon replaced by "The Greenwich Village Inn", the "Rue Angel" and finally "The Last Call" during the 1940s. [8], As part of the settlement of a lawsuit involving the disappearance of co-owner Anthony Fox in December 2001, Depp relinquished his ownership of the Viper Room in 2004. Get over here please, please, cause hes dying, please.. Though tragic, River Phoenix's Viper Room death was just onemark on the property's sordid history, which includes cash-embezzling mobsters, mysterious disappearances, numerous drugoverdoses, and an illegal, multi-million dollar gambling ring. Hollywood, Los Angeles, California: 1993 - Tributes to River Phoenix outside The Viper Room - the club owned by Johnny Depp where the 23-year-old actor died on October 31st 'The drug routine . River Phoenix at the 1989 Golden Globes (Photo Credit: Barry King/ WireImage/ Getty Images). Just days before he was to testify, the Edward Scissorhands actor mysteriously disappeared, along with his truck and .38 caliber rifle. 945 Fairfield Rd, Yeerongpilly QLD 4105 07 3426 8126 Open Hours: 24/7 . when members of the band the Brian Jonestown Massacre began brawling with each other on stage while performing. Its not just the tragic passing of River Phoenix that attracts ghost aficionados to the Viper Room. Leonardo DiCaprio was also there that night. On the night of October 30, 1993, Phoenix and his girlfriend Samantha Mathis arrived at The Viper Room. Taylor had to pay $500 in damages to the Viper Room's owners in order to avoid having charges pressed against him. At the beginning, it was home to a small grocery store. First, smoke crack or shoot coke directly into a vein for that ninety-second, electric brain-bell jangle., Then shoot heroin to get a grip and come down enough to be able to carry on a conversation for a few minutes before you start the cycle again.. [18] In 1997, the Viper Room was also a place of a few early solo live performances by John Frusciante at the time of his bad physical condition caused by drug abuse. Learn more At just 23-years-old, River Phoenix was one of the most beloved stars of the 1990s. "[13] Additionally, there is a legal brothel in Brisbane, Australia called "The Viper Room". He was officially pronounced dead at 1:51 a.m. An autopsy report later revealed that the promising young actor had died from an overdose of cocaine and heroin. The drug routine stayed pretty consistent for all of us. It was established as The Viper Room in 1993 [citation needed] and was partly owned by actor Johnny Depp. After being inside for a bit where he was acting strangely, they went out in front and River began convulsing while his brother called 911. Getty ImagesBefore the untimely death of River Phoenix, he had been struggling with cocaine and heroin abuse. When actor Johnny Depp launched The Viper Room in 1993, it automatically became one of the hottest places on the Sunset Strip. Sadly, hard drugs and Hollywood nightlife shattered that dream and led to River Phoenixs death on October 31, 1993, at the age of just 23. In 2001, Johnny Depp found himself embroiled in a multi-million-dollar lawsuit launched by one of his Viper Room business partners, Anthony Fox, according to Medium. Famous for his acting talent as well as his good looks, Phoenix seemed like he was destined for greatness.