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Rodney Harvey

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Rodney Harvey
Born
Rodney Michael Harvey

(1967-07-31)July 31, 1967
DiedApril 11, 1998(1998-04-11) (aged 30)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Resting placeSaints Peter and Paul Cemetery
Occupations
  • Actor
  • singer
  • dancer
  • model
Years active1985–1996

Rodney Michael Harvey (July 31, 1967 – April 11, 1998) was an American actor, model, singer and dancer.

Career

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Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Harvey was discovered by director Paul Morrissey in 1984. Morrissey cast Harvey in two of his films Mixed Blood (1985) and Spike of Bensonhurst (1988).[1] Harvey attended South Philadelphia High School through the 11th grade, but dropped out to pursue a movie career.[2] After signing with an agent, Harvey moved to Los Angeles where he continued acting and also began modelling. He appeared in a layout for Life magazine featuring Madonna photographed by Bruce Webber and worked for Calvin Klein.[3]

In 1990, he landed the role of Sodapop Curtis in the Fox series The Outsiders. After the series ended after one season, Harvey guest starred on Twin Peaks, followed by a role in the Gus Van Sant film My Own Private Idaho. Harvey also appeared in the 1988 film Salsa alongside Draco Rosa. He made his last onscreen appearance in 1996 with a role in the drama God's Lonely Man.

Death

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During the making of My Own Private Idaho, Harvey began using heroin.[4] After several stints in jail and attempts to get clean, he died of a heroin and cocaine overdose on April 11, 1998, at the Hotel Barbizon in Los Angeles.[5][6]

After his death, photos of him in the depths of heroin addiction appeared in an Office of Drug Control Policy (Partnership for a Drug-Free America) public service announcement.[7][8]

Filmography

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Year Title Role Notes
1985 Delivery Boys Fast Action
1985 Mixed Blood Jose Alternative title: Cocaïne
1986 The Return of Billy Jack Unfinished film
1987 Initiation Danny Molloy Alternative title: Zoomstone
1987 Five Corners Castro
1988 Salsa Ken
1988 Spike of Bensonhurst Frankie Alternative titles: The Mafia Kid
Throw Back!
1990 Silent Love Giulio Alternative title: La bocca
1990 Twin Peaks Biker Scotty Episode: Pilot
1990 The Outsiders Sodapop Curtis 13 episodes
1991 My Own Private Idaho Gary
1992 Guncrazy Tom
1996 God's Lonely Man Glen
1996 Intimate Crimes Cameron Alternative title: Delitti a Luce Rossa
2021 Kid 90 Self Documentary (Archive footage)[9]

References

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  1. ^ Yacowar, Maurice (1993). The Films of Paul Morrissey. Cambridge University Press. pp. 108, 110. ISBN 0-521-38993-3.
  2. ^ "Obituaries, Rodney M. Harvey". Philadelphia Inquirer. April 17, 1998. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
  3. ^ Millea, Holly. "Shooting Star". Premiere: 124.
  4. ^ Millea, Holly. "Shooting Star". Premiere: 140.
  5. ^ Millea, Holly. "Shooting Star". Premiere: 144, 123, 125.
  6. ^ Kristen, Baldwin (1998-05-01). "Monitor". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on September 6, 2008. Retrieved 2009-07-20.
  7. ^ "Rodney Harvey - Actor who tragically died from overdose". Youtube. Archived from the original on 2014-09-13. Retrieved 2009-06-23.
  8. ^ "Rodney Harvey, 30; Model, Actor in 'My Own Private Idaho'". Los Angeles Times. 22 April 1998. Retrieved 18 October 2019.
  9. ^ Roeper, Richard (2021-03-12). "'Kid 90': A former child star revisits her crazy teen years, with video to back it up". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved 2021-03-17.
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