As actors who became famous in the ‘80s, Keanu Reeves and River Phoenix first met each other on the set of the 1989 film “Parenthood.” They cemented their friendship while being co-stars in “My Own Private Idaho” in 1991 and even rode motorcycles together to attend a concert in Key West.

“My Own Private Idaho” director Gus Van Sant asked Reeves to get Phoenix on board with the film, since Phoenix’s agent was refusing to let him see the script. Reeves promptly hopped on his 1974 Norton Commando and rode 1300 miles from Toronto to Phoenix’s family ranch in Florida, where he convinced Phoenix — after promising he would act in the movie too.

Sadly, Phoenix died on October 31, 1993, from a drug overdose while outside the Hollywood club known as The Viper Room. Even after three decades, Keanu Reeves still holds the memory of his friendship with Phoenix close, describing him as “fiercely creative,” “original,” “brave” and “a really special person.”