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). Harvey attended South Philadelphia High School through the 11th grade, but dropped out to pursue a movie career. 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.
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. 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.
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.
Filmography Year Title Role Notes 1984 Mixed Blood Jose Alternative title: Cocaïne 1985 Delivery Boys Fast Action 1986 The Return of Billy Jack Unfinished film 1987 Initiation Danny Molloy Alternative title: Zoomstone 1987 Beauty Brothers Rodney Short film directed by Bruce Weber 1987 Five Corners Castro 1988 Salsa Ken 1988 Spike of Bensonhurst Frankie Alternative titles: The Mafia KidThrow Back! 1988 Let's Get Lost Self Documentary directed by Bruce Weber 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 1999 E! True Hollywood Story Self Episode: "Poisoned Dreams: Rodney Harvey" (Archive footage) 2012 My Own Private River Gary Archive footage2021Kid 90SelfDocumentary (Archive footage)
Music videos and commercials Year Title Role Notes 1985 "Hold Me" Self Music video by Menudo 1990 Obsession Self Calvin Klein advertisement directed by David Lynch
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