Corey Feldman Credits River Phoenix for Inspiring His Vegetarianism at 14

Actor Corey Feldman, 52, has revealed that his late co-star River Phoenix played a significant role in his decision to become a vegetarian at the age of 14. Feldman and Phoenix starred together in the 1986 film made "Stand By Me."

In an interview with Gold Derby, Feldman shared how Phoenix and his family influenced his dietary choices: "Having the influence of River and his family helped me become a vegetarian. Going and being on my own away from my grandparents, away from my parents, I was able to instill those idealisms and put them in play."

made Feldman considers his choice to become a vegetarian as a defining coming-of-age moment: "I choose to become a vegetarian, and that's my first adult decision. That was a coming of age for me. That moment in time was very powerful for all of us."

River Phoenix, who tragically passed away at the age of 23 in 1993, adopted a vegetarian lifestyle at a young age. In a 1998 interview with Vegetarian Times, Phoenix recalled the moment he decided to stop eating meat at age seven after witnessing men fishing on a boat: "On the boat, we saw men fishing. It was our first time seeing that. And it was the first time that I really saw that meat wasn't just a hamburger or hot dog or some disguised food on your plate, that it was an animal, it was flesh. It seemed very barbaric and kind of cruel, and me and my brother and sister were all crying and were traumatized."

Phoenix, who grew up with his siblings, including Oscar winner Joaquin Phoenix, 49, as part of the Children of God cult, found support from his family in his vegetarian journey. The family eventually transitioned to a fully vegan lifestyle. "It was hard to give up dairy for a while for a lot of people in my family. My mom and dad were so used to eating cheese, and it was so convenient,"Phoenix shared. "But I said, 'Hey, if we're doing this thing, let's go all the way with it.' The other kids were into it, so my parents said, 'OK, let's do it.' And we did."

Feldman's decision to become a vegetarian, influenced by Phoenix and his family during the filming of "Stand By Me," marked a significant coming-of-age moment for the young actor. The experience not only shaped his dietary choices but also served as his first adult decision, setting the stage for his personal growth and development.