Rodney Michael Harvey American actor and model Date of Birth: 31.07.1967 Country: USA

1. American actor and model
2. Early Life
3. Early Aspirations
4. The Film Career
5. Television and Film Roles
6. The Downfall
7. Tragic End

American actor and model

For a while, the young Hollywood heartthrob Rodney Harvey was one of the most promising young actors in the industry. After his role in the 1988 film "Salsa," he was even compared to Patrick Swayze. However, his addiction to heroin quickly led him astray, showcasing the dark side of the American dream.

Early Life

Rodney Michael Harvey was born on July 31, 1967, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was the second son of Lois and Eddie Harvey, and his older brother was named Eddie. When Rodney was just two months old, his father left them. Lois remarried, and Rodney and his brother gained a younger step-sister named Beckie. Their mother and stepfather raised them, as their father had little involvement in their lives.

Early Aspirations

Even in school, Rodney expressed his desire to act and dreamt of playing Superman's son on the big screen. However, he never completed his education, spending most of his time wandering the streets. He eventually obtained his high school diploma while serving one of his prison sentences.

The Film Career

In 1984, Rodney met director Paul Morrissey in New York City. Morrissey cast Harvey in two of his films, the dynamic drama "Mixed Blood" in 1985 and the comedy "Spike of Bensonhurst" in 1988. After the first film, Rodney secured an agent and moved to Los Angeles, where he continued to act and ventured into the world of modeling. His photographs appeared in "Life" magazine, and he even participated in a Calvin Klein advertising campaign.

Television and Film Roles

In 1990, Harvey appeared on television, playing one of the lead roles in the series "The Outsiders" on Fox. Unfortunately, the series was canceled after only 13 episodes, disappointing his fans. He then landed a small but notable role in the cult mini-series "Twin Peaks" and portrayed Gary in Gus Van Sant's independent film "My Own Private Idaho" alongside River Phoenix and Keanu Reeves. In 1992, he starred in the film "Guncrazy" alongside Drew Barrymore, sparking rumors of a romantic relationship between them. After this, Harvey disappeared from the screens for four years.

The Downfall

Ironically, Harvey's final work was in the 1996 drama "God's Lonely Man." During the filming of "My Own Private Idaho," he tried heroin and became addicted to it. This destructive habit led him to spend time in prison multiple times. Despite his efforts to get clean and undergo rehabilitation, Harvey always succumbed to his addiction. He expressed his desire to turn his life around to his friends but would inevitably return to drugs.

Tragic End

On Saturday morning, April 11, 1998, Rodney Harvey was found dead in room 222 of the Hotel Barbizon in Los Angeles. The autopsy revealed that he died from an accidental overdose of a heroin and cocaine mixture. After his death, photographs of the actor, showcasing the ugliness of heroin addiction, were displayed in the office of the Drug Control Policy organization, which collaborates with the government's "Drug-Free America" program.