How Keanu Reeves, Johnny Depp and other Hollywood stars lived in the "dashing 90s"

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

The nineties are, of course, not the beginning of the beginning, this decade cannot be called the main milestone in the history of Hollywood. But that was a golden time in the lives of many Hollywood stars. Not at all because of youth, dreams, hopes (although this too). This was the last time celebrities could be away from the spotlight. The era when high technologies and social networks did not give such opportunities as now - to learn everything at once and about everything. How did Hollywood stars spend their leisure time away from prying eyes in times not so long ago, see a series of rare photographs.

Nowadays, no one is surprised by photos from Hollywood parties. The ubiquitous smartphone cameras capture every awkward movement, every embarrassment of a star. No one can go out into the street without not only being watched over you, but also ready to notify the whole world about your every trouble. It can certainly be maddening.

But it was not always so. There were times when famous actors rested freely, not afraid to get into the camera lens of someone's smartphone. They also had their hot spots. For example, the California club "Viper Room".

It belonged to Johnny Depp. Initially, it was a strip bar and a hangout for celebrities from another world - the criminal. Later, this place became a creative center and recreation area for big names from the Hollywood world.

This place was bought by Depp in a share with another actor, Sal Jenko, back in 1993. As friends explained in an interview, they had a long-standing dream of having their own club. So that it would be a place to hang out, where cool music would play and there would be no ordinary club music.

Many celebrities came there not only to have fun and listen to music, but also often played on stage themselves. For example, Keanu Reeves with his group Dogstar. The microphone was available to everyone for a wide variety of performers - from the rhythmic Pussycat Dolls to the calm Johnny Cash.

All this, however, was only the tip of this iceberg of corruption. Stacey Groenrock, who was Jenko's assistant at the time, says: “We had an artist with a whip. He sang "Pop Goes the Weasel" in German and did mind-blowing whip tricks.

There were regulars who visited us at every opportunity: David Hart is a Christian theologian and philosopher, Enoch Cook is a mime who speaks. Oh, and Nanu is a Spanish Popeye … When the club first opened, a lot of strange artists came to us, brought their resumes and we just let them play."

It is so strange and surprising today that all this diversity, combined with the most talked about people in the world, has not attracted much press attention. Nevertheless, it is so. In the pre-smartphone era, where there were no photos instantly spreading across all social networks, a lot remained behind closed doors. And what was going on there!

Renowned photographer Randall Slavin was from a relatively small group of initiates. The paparazzi who managed to capture many stunning moments in the lens of their camera. And not only in places like the Viper Room, but everywhere.

In an interview with Instyle, Slavin said: “It was a different era. Because many took low-quality pictures that no one wanted to print. Apart from me, there were not many such clever craftsmen. Now everyone has a high definition camera in their pocket. All the paparazzi. That was the last time when it was possible to shoot an absolute exclusive. I am very fortunate to have received a front row ticket to most of the unique events.”

The images of Randall Slavin and his ilk document such a heady and exhilarating time in the lives of Hollywood's top stars. Such as: Charlize Theron, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Aniston and River Phoenix, not to mention Johnny Depp himself. His relationship with Winona Ryder and Kate Moss has garnered a lot of attention. In the current conditions, they would not have had a chance to shift the focus of attention from themselves. They would be like under a microscope.

Of course, there were many dark spots in the history of free starry leisure. Such as, for example, a very unpleasant case with an overdose of River Phoenix. It happened outside the walls of a popular club, in 1993.

Nevertheless, it cast a shadow on its reputation. Rumors were different. Although the "Viper Room" was kind of an outlet for celebrities. Adam Duritz of Counting Crows believes that it was this club that gave him a start in life when he decided to link his fate with music.

At the end of the 20th century, "Viper Room" with a scandal passed to another owner. It all started with the fact that Anthony Fox, who was at that time Johnny Depp's business partner, was sued by the latter. Fox accused Depp of a fraudulent conspiracy against him. In 2201, Fox just suddenly disappeared. In 2004, three years later, Depp relinquished his stake in the business.

Despite all the drama of being in the spotlight, all these rare shots show us the happy faces of famous actors. Even if slightly lifting the veil of secrecy over their wild unbridled past. What else does the public need from celebrities at the peak of their popularity? Read more Hollywood secrets in our article Walt Disney: A kind storyteller in the FBI's service.