Rodney Harvey
Birth nameRodney Michael Harvey
Birth dateJuly 31, 1967
Birth placePhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Death dateApril 11, 1998 (aged 30)
Death placeLos Angeles, California, U.S.
Resting placeSaints Peter and Paul Cemetery
Occupation
  • 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

Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Eddie and Lois Harvey. Harvey was "discovered" by director Paul Morrissey in 1984. Morrissey cast Harvey in two of his films Mixed Blood (1984) 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

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]

Following his death, photos of Harvey 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

YearTitleRoleNotes
1984Mixed BloodJoseAlternative title: Cocaïne
1985Delivery BoysFast Action
1986The Return of Billy JackUnfinished film
1987InitiationDanny MolloyAlternative title: Zoomstone
1987Beauty BrothersRodneyShort film directed by Bruce Weber
1987Five CornersCastro
1988SalsaKen
1988Spike of BensonhurstFrankieAlternative titles: The Mafia Kid
Throw Back!
1988Let's Get LostSelfDocumentary directed by Bruce Weber
1990Silent LoveGiulioAlternative title: La bocca
1990Twin PeaksBiker ScottyEpisode: Pilot
1990The OutsidersSodapop Curtis13 episodes
1991My Own Private IdahoGary
1992GuncrazyTom
1996God's Lonely ManGlen
1996Intimate CrimesCameronAlternative title: Delitti a Luce Rossa
1999E! True Hollywood StorySelfEpisode: "Poisoned Dreams: Rodney Harvey" (Archive footage)
2012My Own Private RiverGaryArchive footage
2021Kid 90SelfDocumentary (Archive footage)[9]

Music videos and commercials

YearTitleRoleNotes
1985"Hold Me"SelfMusic video by Menudo
1990ObsessionSelfCalvin Klein advertisement directed by David Lynch

References

  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
  4. ^ Millea, Holly. "Shooting Star". Premiere
  5. ^ Millea, Holly. "Shooting Star". Premiere
  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.