The Viper Room officially opened in 1993. With a famous owner, the tragic death of a beloved actor and the unsolved disappearance of a business partner, the nightclub is filled with sinister energy. I think I'm OD'ing." His truck was found 19 days later, but his body was never recovered. As Donovan later recalled in his memoir, With Johnny [Depp] on guitar, Michael [Hutchence] started to sing the Van Morrison classic Gloria We were halfway through the song, belting out the chorus, when I realized I was about to go. Last Night at the Viper Room tells the heart-shredding story of how this haunted actor left such a big impression in such a brief time." Rob Sheffield, New York Times bestselling author of Love Is a Mix Tape And Hollywood tours still stop to point out the spot where the tragedy took place. 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. Madeline Hiltz 1/19/2023. 8852 Sunset Blvd. It was opened in 1993 and has been famous in the news for various reasons at various times. The original building where the club is currently located is slated to be demolished by 2023, to make way for a replacement club, retail and a five star hotel tower. On the surface, everything looked tame. But everything changed in 1951, when local officials folded to pressure to bring the Strip's laws into synch with that of the city. Meanwhile, he also wanted to ensure that his younger siblings were able to get the education that he was never able to receive. Mar 29, 2022. On October 31, 1993, actor River Phoenix died of a drug overdose outside the notorious Viper Room nightclub in Hollywood. Joaquin), witnessed the heartbreaking event, reports The Guardian, unable to save him despite CPR and a call to 911. River Pheonix in 1989, photo by Alan Light. Los Angeles's infamous Viper Room, which was once Hollywood's hot spot, is set to be destroyed. They also argued that the businesses offered hangouts for immoral and perverted individuals. On Jan. 6, 2002, Fox's vehicle turned up, abandoned in Santa Clara, Calif., approximately 330 miles from Fox's Ventura residence. Over the years, speculation has run wild about Depp's supposed role in the disappearance, as well as the possibility of murder. To see such a promising young actor die so suddenly was heartbreaking, especially for his loved ones. His brother, Joaquin, called 911. Few spots in Los Angeles have played witness to more messed-up happenings. The call was later leaked to news stations. A Haunted Los Angeles Hotspot! But it was River Phoenixs role in the 1986 movie Stand By Me that really got Hollywoods attention. After the tragedy, his brothers 911 call was broadcast all over the world. 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. The 2003 Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle "Pink Panther Dance" scene was filmed at the club,[citation needed] though the club's name was changed in the film to "The Treasure Chest". Her thesis examined menstrual education in Victorian England. If they could get beer on tap, get way better bands to perform and for the love get rid of the cheesy smoke machine things would be looking up for The Viper Room. 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. A cop was sitting at a nearby red light and witnessed the whole thing. The location was originally a grocery store, from 1921 into the 1940s. Rivers unfortunate drug-related death isnt the only upsetting story linked with The Viper Room. Ten days later, he committed suicide in his hotel room in Sydney, Australia. From drug overdoses to violent scuffles, illegal poker games to whispers of murder, the past two decades have yielded up some of the club's most shocking and salacious rumors, thanks to the Hollywood big names frequenting the joint. That same year, River Phoenix died of a drug overdose right outside the club. Cuando se inaugur, el 14 de agosto de 1993, The Viper Room era el lugar ms popular de la ciudad. Without a body and minimal evidence, the case remains cold. Dana Plato Was A Beloved Teen Idol In The '70s And Early '80s Then She Was Found Dead At 34, Researchers In New Zealand Have Identified The Largest Penguin In History, What Stephen Hawking Thinks Threatens Humankind The Most, 27 Raw Images Of When Punk Ruled New York, Join The All That's Interesting Weekly Dispatch. "It wouldn't be cool if anything was found on you by the medics,"he whispered. To this day, the bar is riddled with rumors of bodies hidden in the walls and ghosts running wild. Joaquin desperately said to the 911 operators: Hes having seizures! On the night of his passing, River drank a speedball a highly toxic mix of heroin and cocaine dissolved into his drink. But a tragic event brought the club permanent infamy just two-and-a-half months after opening. Regular attendee and card aficionado, Houston Curtis tells it differently in his book,Billion Dollar Hollywood Heist, as highlighted by the New York Post. Mobsters assaulted her after she refused them a percentage, and she was eventually caught and received twelve months of probation. The Viper Room in West Hollywood. Phoenix had struggled with cocaine and heroin addiction. 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. And sadly, these two drugs would spell his end at The Viper Room. It changed hands and took on various different incarnations over the years, including a stint as a strip club owned by mobster Mickey Cohen. Despite the much-publicized death, the Viper Room persisted as a star-studded hangout throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. The poker ring inspired the 2017 movie Molly's Game, starring Jessica Chastain. 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. Given the history of drugs and rock 'n roll, this is an interesting one to visit. The bouncer then pushed the two out of the nightclub. In early 1993, Johnny Depp met Anthony Fox, who owned a nightclub called The Central in West Hollywood. 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. Adam Duritz, the lead singer of Counting Crows, worked as a Viper Room bartender in late 1994 and early 1995 to escape his newfound fame. She was mad that I couldnt see her.. The Infamous Viper Room. Mtley Cre drummer, Tommy Lee, and his "Baywatch" beauty, Pamela Lee, had an altercation involving paparazzi outside the club. His parents John Lee Bottom and Arlyn Dunetz were known for their nomadic lifestyle and financial instability. They soon changed their last name to Phoenix, converted to veganism, and moved to California. But the building boasts a rich heritage as one of the oldest commercial buildings on the Sunset Strip, erected in 1921. Its not the first time Johnny Depp has been near the hot seat of the federal court of law! (Photo Credit: Denny Keeler/ Getty Images). Hes having seizures! he shouted. Charlize Theron hugs Keanu Reeves outside The Viper Room after his performance with his band, Dogstar. Despite all its history, The Viper Room is set to be developed into a high-rise starting in 2023. It was announced earlier this year that the old Viper Room will soon be replaced with a 12-storey building with luxury condominiums, stores, and restaurants. Since that day, the club has been in the hands of world-famous actor Johnny Depp, and has been a gathering place for Los Angeles celebrities. Depp was a part-owner in The Viper Room, with his business partner Anthony Fox having the other share. [25] 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. 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. Watch your inbox for new Haunting Tales and tour updates. In the early morning hours of October 31, 1993, actor River Phoenix went to The Viper Room, along with his girlfriend, Samantha Mathis, and his 19-year-old younger brother, Joaquin Phoenix. Located on Los Angeles Sunset Strip, it is one of the oldest remaining structures. Browse 5,793 viper room photos and images available, or search for vip room or los angeles to find more great photos and pictures. Initially, Depp said it was hard returning to the Viper Room and haunting walking past the spot where Phoenix died. While filming the movie Dark Blood in Utah and New Mexico, Phoenix had reportedly stayed sober for two months, but sadly, his sobriety did not last. Other performers include Avril Lavigne, Neurotic Outsiders (featuring Duff McKagan, The Penfifteen Club, Steve Jones and John Taylor), Keanu Reeves (who performed there with his band Dogstar in 1997), The Cult, Slash, X, Julliette and the Licks, Concrete Blonde, Green Day, Courtney Love, Hole, Joey Ramone, Tenacious D,[19] and The Strokes. The eponymous nightclub paid homage to West Hollywood's most eclectic character, Filthy McNasty, a true man about town. 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. But perhaps the nail in the coffin remains the fact that trendy bands and A-List celebs grace the club less often these days. By Tabatha Renz. Courtesy of Luxigon. Before the untimely death of River Phoenix, he had been struggling with cocaine and heroin abuse. Few movie stars of the early 1990s were as beloved as River Phoenix. Law enforcement arrested Sam Farkas, Mickey Cohen's bodyguard, according to the Green Bench Monthly, on suspicion of robbery. The ring often included other actors such as Ben Affleck, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Matt Damon. The Viper Room opened on the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood in 1993. Although he no longer has any ownership in the club, he did have a rocky start after he got involved. The next 18 years saw its rise as a mainstay of the L.A. music scene, featuring performances by Billy Ward and the Dominoes, Bobby Troup, Bobby Short, and many more. The games took place downstairs, overseen by Molly Bloom, a 26-year-old cocktail waitress. But the so-called "Poker Princess" ducked prison time, according to the New York Daily News, and still fondly recalls her lucky break at the Viper Room. Murders That Go Unsolved. Columbia PicturesRiver Phoenix in Stand By Me, the 1986 movie that helped make him a star. Though the nightclub eventually reopened, many regulars said that it was never the same again. Given the history of drugs and rock n roll, this is an interesting one to visit. (Photo Credit: Rich Fury/ Getty Images). Johnny Depp was one of the owners (he would give up his stake in 2004). I tried to speak but couldn't. 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. 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 . They were very cool about it. Summary: Zak and the crew investigate the infamous Viper Room on West Hollywood's Sunset Strip. The Pussycat Dolls performed at The Viper Room until 2001. A recent slew of development projects along Sunset Boulevard has further exacerbated these concerns. In addition to the drama Phoenix, one of the former co-owners, Anthony Fox, died in his office in 2001, while Michael Hutchence and Timothy Leary both died shortly after performing within the walls of the Viper. "Have you got anything on you?" He holds dual bachelor's degrees from Pace University and a master's degree from New York University. It is one of the oldest built remaining structures on the Sunset Strip. I knew something was wrong that night, something I didnt understand, she said. The Viper Room on the Sunset Strip was a popular destination for young celebrities in the 1990s. But despite the benign sound of Phil and the Fours' show, the Greenwich Village Inn found itself, along with seven other Hollywood hotspots, embroiled in a statewide scandal. In the late 1940s, Los Angeles experienced significant growth during the post-World War II manufacturing boom. This memorial in Arcadia, California was dedicated by Iris Burton the talent agent who discovered Phoenix. Tragically, this would culminate in his death outside the notorious Viper Room nightclub. Some locals fear the worst, an encounter with the wrecking ball. By 2001, a court case was on the horizon, with Fox fully prepared to testify against Depp. Inspired by Harlem's 1920s jazz clubs, the Viper Room is one of Los Angeles' most legendary music venues. When nights wound down at Filthy McNasty's, celebs relocated to the F.M. But Rivers tragic passing wasnt the first. Historic documents compiled by West Hollywood'sHistoric PreservationCommission show that a grocery store named Young's Market originally occupied the site at 8852 Sunset, supplying the inhabitants of Sherman, a blue-collar railroad community down the hill. 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. At the time, the club was partly owned by Johnny Depp, and was a haven for celebrities to kick back and party. Entrepreneur Molly Bloom was hired to run the games, which ended up attracting a number of A-list movie stars, including Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, and Leonardo DiCaprio. Parking is $10 in the lot behind the Viper Room or adjoining the Viper Room. We hope you found this useful and if so, check back tomorrow for tomorrow's Daily Themed Crossword clue answers. She has experienced paranormal situations herself with grabby ghosts pulling her leg, and another time when a ghost texted her from a dead number and got upset that she couldnt see her. There was almost another near-overdose at The Viper Room in January 1995. GAC investigate the infamous on West Hollywood's . The Viper Room does, however, remain open a tantalizing relic of Sunset Strip's debauched and colorful history. Budding superstar River Phoenix died aged 23 outside the venue on Halloween night in 1993 as his brother Joaquin watched on. Even today, the property is plagued by rumors of ghosts and missing bodies hidden within the bar's black exterior. But River Phoenixs death cast a dark shadow on The Viper Room which haunts the venue to this day. Despite all its history, The Viper Room is set to be developed into a high-rise starting in 2023. LA's Creepiest Haunted Hotels. In 2017, the television ghost-hunting crew Ghost Adventures paid the club a visit. Few movie stars of the early 1990s were as beloved as River Phoenix. He latertold Spin: I kicked that plate glass window, wearing shorts. DeVille of Poison. Friends knew that River Phoenix had been abusing drugs, but his fatal overdose still came as a shock to many people. YouTubeThis memorial in Arcadia, California was dedicated by Iris Burton the talent agent who discovered Phoenix. With a famous owner, the tragic death of a beloved actor and the unsolved disappearance of a business partner, the nightclub is filled with sinister energy. Born River Jude Bottom on August 23, 1970, Phoenix spent his first days on a farm in Oregon. Weight: 245 g. Dimensions: 203 x 135 x 16 mm. Two theories have circulated about how the Viper Room got its name. Flickr/Francisco AntunesThe Viper Room in West Hollywood. When she came out, she thought she saw Phoenix in a scuffle with another man. Despite allusions to the New Orleans jazz scene, the Viper Room catered to rock and metal bands, both well-known and obscure, with a few notable exceptions. River Phoenix's tragic death cemented the Viper Room's infamous reputation. Sadly, when he returned to Los Angeles in late October 1993, he almost immediately went on a massive drug binge. Nightlife, Bars & Clubs. The Viper Room is a nightclub and live music venue located on the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood, California, United States. The other part owner was Sal Jenco who starred in 21 Jump Street with Depp. The LA-based firm Silver Creek Development will turn the legendary 8852 West Sunset Boulevard into a residential building with cafes, restaurants, and a luxury hotel. The Viper Room circa 2020. (Photo Credit: Steinfeldt/ Michael Ochs Archives/ Getty Images). ISBN: 9780062273178. On the guest list was Australian soap star-turned-singer Jason Donovan, who returned to his hotel room throughout the night to snort lines of cocaine andeventually collapsed with cocaine-induced seizures. Zak Bagans and the crew of Ghost Adventures. Just days before Fox was scheduled to testify in late 2001, The Charley Project reports that Fox went missing along with a .38 caliber revolver and his pickup truck. Getty ImagesBefore the untimely death of River Phoenix, he had been struggling with cocaine and heroin abuse. On Dec. 26, 1952, another salacious event took place on the sidewalk in front of the building. How could local business owners get away with the mischief? Station club. In an interview with USA Today, Duritz recalls continuing to work at the Viper Room after hitting it big because of the happening scene. Horrified, she ran back into the club to get Phoenixs siblings. While he rarely spoke about the Children of God in public, his mother once quoted him as saying, Theyre disgusting. The 23-year-old Oscar nominee was poised to have a career on par with '90s contemporaries like Leonardo DiCaprio when he, Prior to Phoenix's passing, the troubled actor allegedly went on a, On the night River overdosed, he drank a speedball a mix of heroin and cocaine dissolved into a drink and chased it with Valium. More from us:The Party Scene Before Social Media Candid Photos of Wild Early 90s Hollywood. "But from the beginning, The Viper Room was a place where drug dealers flourished. Johnny Cash performed at the venue, debuting material that would later appear on American Recordings (1994). 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. But those who go there know it. The passing of Hollywood star River Phoenix cemented the Viper Rooms sordid reputation. Upon his arrival, the actor went on a massive drug binge with Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist John Frusciante. Though he was wearing shorts, he took the dare, and the window shattered. Theyre ruining peoples lives.. The Viper Room was established by co-owner Johnny Depp in 1993. Dating back to 1921, it's one of the oldest buildings on The Stripand it didn't start out as a club. Its not just the tragic passing of River Phoenix that attracts ghost aficionados to the Viper Room. Joaquin then made a heart-wrenching 911 call, which was later leaked to the press. It grew from a farm-to-market route into a vital artery connecting Hollywood to Beverly Hills. But this night was different because River was unusually wasted. Join us for a Los Angeles Ghost Tour! The "Strip-Capades" represented uninterrupted, risqu marathons five hours in length and seven days per week. But unlike Phoenix, he regularly used cocaine. A piece of West Hollywood history will transition into a multi-use project starting next year. Showing Editorial results for viper room. In the 1940s, the building was converted into a nightclub known as the Cotton Club, though it was completely unrelated to the Cotton Club located in New York City. My heart was racing, my vision was blurring and I was becoming disorientated. 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 . Famous for his acting talent as well as his good looks, Phoenix seemed like he was destined for greatness. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty ImagesTributes at The Viper Room honoring River Phoenix the day after his death in 1993. Los Angeless infamous Viper Room, which was once Hollywoods hot spot, is set to be destroyed. 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. 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Over the years, mainstream stars including Scarlett Johansson, Christina Aguilera, and Gwen Stefani, appeared with the girl group. Ghost Adventures: The Viper Room Next stop with the Ghost Adventures crew: the infamous Viper Room on West Hollywood's Sunset Strip.