Richard Rheem, a young man from a prominent California family, crossed paths with the renowned artist Andy Warhol at a lavish party hosted by his uncle Bob Rheem and the artist/poet Liam O'Gallagher, celebrating the opening of the E.P.I. It was at this gathering that Warhol extended an invitation to Rheem to join him in the world of filmmaking.
Following Warhol's return to New York, Rheem maintained a correspondence with the artist, penning several letters and engaging in telephone conversations. Two of these letters, dated July 27, 1966, and September 7, 1966, respectively, have been discovered within Andy Warhol's Time Capsule 79.
As the autumn season commenced, Rheem made his way to New York, arriving around the beginning of October 1966. A romantic relationship blossomed between the two, with Rheem listing Warhol's address (1342 Lexington Avenue) as his own on a talent release dated November 7, 1966.
According to Victor Bockris' biography of Warhol, the couple cohabitated until the second week of December 1966. Following their separation, Rheem continued to maintain a cordial correspondence with Warhol, as evidenced by letters found in Time Capsules 12, 19, and 10, spanning the years 1968 and 1969.
