Kiefer Sutherland and River Phoenix.Photo:Jon Kopaloff/Getty; DMI/The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Jon Kopaloff/Getty; DMI/The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Duringan appearance onThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallonon Friday, theRabbit Holestar, 57, revealed that a guitar session he had with the lateRiver Phoenix, who he starred opposite in the 1986 coming-of-age film, might be behind the title of the cult classic film.
“Do you think he changed…?” Fallon, 49, began to ask.
“I have no idea,” Sutherland admitted, adding, “I just know it was part of that conversation.”
Sutherland played bully Ace Merrill in the famous movie, which he starred in alongside Phoenix,Corey FeldmanJerry O’Connelland Will Wheaton, all teens at the time.Phoenix died aged 23seven years after the film’s release in 1993.
Sutherland previously spoke about seeing Phoenix’s star quality while working with the late actor on the cult film.
Sutherland recalled his experience working with Phoenix on the 1986 film.Everett CollectionCollection
Everett CollectionCollection
Speaking toThe Guardianin 2021, he said, “I worked with the main cast very little but when I’d get there early, they would be workshopping scenes and trying out each other’s lines. River specifically had such an appetite to learn and be good — and, of course, he was.”
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
“He was a year older than the rest of the boys and I think it made a pretty significant difference,” Sutherland continued. “When the others were doing age-appropriate things, River was asking questions like, ‘Would you mind running lines with me?’ He saw me playing guitar and asked, ‘What song is that? Would you teach me?’ ”
“His desire to get to the next level was so evident that you knew he was going to do something special,” Sutherland recalled of the later actor.
source: people.com
