River Phoenix’s upbringing not only shaped his worldview but also ignited his artistic passions early on, laying the groundwork for his future career in Hollywood. The 1986 film "Stand By Me” catapulted him into the spotlight and established him as a household name. In “Rising Star,” the first episode of Variety and iHeart Podcasts’ “Variety Confidential,” host Tatiana Siegel speaks with River's “Stand By Me” co-star Corey Feldman and Variety’s chief film critic Owen Gleiberman about River’s early career and rise to fame. For a full list of sources and citations for this episode, visit https://variety.com/h/variety-confidential/. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Errol Flynn "When You're a Star"
After starring in the 1935 film “Captain Blood,” actor Errol Flynn became the big screen’s foremost swashbuckler. Seven years later, two underage girls accused the golden age movie star of statutory rape. In “When You’re A Star,” the sixth episode of Variety and iHeart Podcasts’ true crime podcast “Variety Confidential,” host Tracy Pattin and co-host Matt Donnelly, Variety’s senior entertainment and media writer, look back at Flynn’s 1943 rape trial. For a full list of sources and citations for this episode, visit https://variety.com/h/variety-confidential/.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Roman Polanski "Disgraced Genius"
Known for “Chinatown,” “Rosemary's Baby” and “The Pianist,” Roman Polanski is one of the most acclaimed directors in cinematic history. He is also a convicted child rapist who has faced several sexual assault allegations over the course of his career. In “Disgraced Genius,” the fifth episode of Variety and iHeart Podcasts’ true crime podcast “Variety Confidential,” host Tracy Pattin and co-host Matt Donnelly, Variety’s senior entertainment and media writer, examine Polanski’s downfall after decades of Hollywood reverence. For a full list of sources and citations for this episode, visit https://variety.com/h/variety-confidential/. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Don Simpson "80s Hits and 80s Excesses"
Don Simpson reigned over Hollywood after joining forces with his producing partner Jerry Bruckheimer in the 1980s. Around town, the studio executive-turned-producer’s addiction to sex workers and drugs was no secret — and for decades, he wielded his power in the industry to continue his nefarious and erratic ways. For a full list of sources and citations for this episode, visit https://variety.com/h/variety-confidential/.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Henry Willson "The Man Who Invented Beefcake"
In episode 3 of “Variety Confidential,” host Tracy Pattin and co-host Matt Donnelly unearth the story of Henry Willson, an aggressive, midcentury Hollywood talent agent and manager who succeeded in both spotting and taking advantage of young actors within whom he saw potential for fame. Willson, a closeted gay man, would lure dozens of handsome young men, or “beefcakes” as they would come to be known, to his Los Angeles home after wining and dining them and promising fame. “He seems to have insinuated himself into their lives,” Pattin explains. “He became their friend, the parent, the protector, and in many cases, their lover.” For a full list of sources and citations for this episode, visit https://variety.com/h/variety-confidential/. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
From Variety, Hollywood’s No. 1 entertainment news source and iHeart podcasts, comes Variety Confidential. Season 2, titled "The Life and Legend of River Phoenix,” takes you through the extraordinary life of one of Hollywood’s most celebrated stars. River Phoenix’s name still resonates with cinephiles and casual moviegoers alike, nearly three decades after his untimely passing. Whether you’re a longtime fan or just discovering his work, join us as Variety’s Tatiana Siegel speaks exclusively with River’s co-stars and friends, including Corey Feldman and Samantha Mathis, to shed light on who River really was off camera. Variety’s experts and correspondents also explore the brilliance and complexity of River's life and career. Dive into the legacy and lasting impact of an actor who burned bright and left us far too soon. Subscribe now to Variety Confidential wherever you get your podcasts.
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