Corey Haim: A Textbook Young Hollywood Downfall

By Mike Hess Posted Mar 10th 2010 01:08PM

As the headlines of "Corey Haim Dead" blared this morning, it became quite apparent that his story is one that has become all too tragically common these days. The actor, who with his floppy hair, freckled looks and sly grin shot to stardom in the '80s and quickly became the teen heartthrob of his times (essentially the Robert Pattinson of 1988), was on top of the world at a very young age. Then, like countless others who were thrust into the spotlight during their teen years, his coming-of-age adult years were a rocky transition, and he eventually succumbed to the pitfalls of fame, fortune and personal demons. All of the warning signs were there, and sadly, this story is being written because it all played out like it has before: Kid actor turned troubled adult, eventually leading to an all-too-sad passing.

Haim's mid-'80s catapult onto the A-list was a meteoric one. The Canadian-born actor graced the screen at the age of 13 in 'Murphy's Romance,' and his freckly face and doe-eyed charm quickly became synonymous with his name. A year later, he was the little geek that you just had to root for in 'Lucas,' and after that, his career -- and life -- kicked into overdrive.

'The Lost Boys' will likely be the movie that most will recognize Haim for. It was a pop culture vampire film that everyone was talking about (again, Robert Pattinson, anyone?) and had a lineup of some of Hollywood's most promising faces. Other starring roles, in 'License to Drive' and 'Dream a Little Dream,' soon followed, but the infamy was already there for Haim.

His fame, it turns out, wouldn't sustain and eventually resulted in a downward spiral seen in Hollywood countless times before. Haim's battle with drugs became tabloid fodder, eventually leading to a tell-all retelling of his troubles in a 2001 'E! True Hollywood Story.'

"I lived in LA in the 80s, which was not the best place to be ... I did cocaine for about a year and a half, then it led to crack," Haim told the UK Guardian in 2004. "[I] started on the downers, which were a hell of a lot better than the uppers, because I was a nervous wreck ... But one led to two, two led to four, four led to eight, until at the end it was about 85 a day. The doctors could not believe I was taking that much. And that was just the Valium -- I'm not talking about the other pills I went through."

Already deep in the trenches of addiction, Haim began to slip even further from fame. Film work was almost non-existent for most of the 2000s, and in 2007, he signed up for a reality show with a familiar friend, fellow 80s teen idol Corey Feldman, Haim's co-star in his most well-known films. Much of the focus of 'The Two Coreys' was on Haim's demons, which frequently led to all-out brawls between the two. Their friendship was never repaired, and the show eventually ended because the two couldn't work out their differences.

Once the show ended, Haim did his best to get his life and career back on track. In February 2008, he bought a full-page ad in the trade publication Variety that read: "This is not a stunt. I'm back. I'm ready to work. I'm ready to make amends." Haim then scored a role in 'Crank 2,' and according to IMDB.com, has seven films either in pre- or post production.

Sadly, like many who have come before him, those films will now be part of his posthumous filmography.

Corey's Movie Legacy Corey's TV Legacy

Tags: Corey Haim

Comments

(254)

Wednesday 10 March

By Karen

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Yes, Cheryl I agree. But, I have found when people really want drugs, they will go to any extent to get them legally or illegally. It is a "living" problem that drives them to substance abuse. They need to escape their life and think this is the answer. I will tell YOU or anyone else out there looking for answers, to turn your life over to God (Jesus) and strive as hard as you would to get drugs to finding your answers of peace in the Word. ITS THERE!

By Donna

Cheryl, altho' I agree with your overall message, please know that the growth of this monster, i.e. RX drug addiction, affects all people from all walks of life and not just the rich and famous!

By RMT

Pahhhleeeeze... So it's now ALL the doctors' faults????? Whatever happened to personal responsibility? Maybe you want to fault Corey's hands too, for delivering the drugs to his mouth or veins?? Well then, let's just put EVERYONE "on camera so we can make them responsible for their actions". Stop blaming it all on the EVIL doctors, okay? Even Corey himself admitted to using cocaine and coke, amongst other drugs. The man was self-destructive and finally ran out of luck, considering he probably could have od'ed many times before.

By AZ fan

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Maybe we should expect the movie industry to educate them or have child actors go through psychology screening.. maybe we should expect the government to take control of the movie industry... or maybe we can hope their parents take responsibility like parents of athletes... Suggestions are great, but blaming the producer is not the answer.

By teh

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RIP junkie

By Kelly

Sorry to see ya go dude. The price of fame is often a high one, I hope that harp music and cheese whiz they serve up there makes a difference. Adios muchacho.

By fannie

I didn't see headlines "blared," about this. Only one line aol posted that anyone could have missed altogether being much more bombarded by Lindsey Lohan's goofy lawsuit, Conan's Twitter gal, or all the airfare ads.

By robert

I agree, and why couldn't it have been Lohan instead of Corey? Life's really not fair.

By Miker

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I agree, at least he was trying to get/stay clean. Lilo isnt even trying. Lindsey honey, follow Coreys example and f-ing die already.

By gobluespartyon

Robert & Miker you're losers that need to get a life and your being judgemental & being heartless as well wishing Lindsay Lohan to die thats not cool. I think her lawsuit is baseless and will be throwin out of court and her lawyer should pay all leagal fees. R.I.P. Corey Haim.

By Lynn

What a sad thing that happend! I hope that you are in a safe place. People that have something bad to say need to say nothing. His family and friends are in mourning!!! R. I. P.

By Tammy

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I am not surprised. I thought it would be sooner.
I remember him in all the movies. The other Corey was able to get his life together as seen on their reality show. Corey Haim was sooo out of control.

By Mandy

Tammy...that's how I feel too. It sucks that he died and I feel for his family and friends. He had a chance to clean up and get help but he refused. I wish that he got the help.

The movie I remember him most for is 'License to Drive'. It's one of my favorites next to 'Dream a Little Dream'.

By Amanda

OMG I can't believe he died! God, please watch over him and his family/friends who knew him... RIP

By Buzzby

Just another child "star" who grew up in the Hollywood adult world filled with alcohol, drugs, and sex. Why do parents put their kids into this crazy scene? Money and fame and not worth losing your son or daughter at a young age. So few of the child stars have maintained a normal personality. Most end up in the gutter one way or another.

By Jamisina

So nice to see that these self righteous morons post on different websites.

The man was troubled-get it? It doesn't matter if he had been famous in years past, was famous now, or had never been famous. The painful and very horrible truth, is that he was an addict, and died from his addiction. It could happen to anybody, INCLUDING YOU!

No, they don't put your average run of the mill 'accidental' overdose in the everyday news, but it's not like it doesn't happen. Count your blessings and be thankful it wasn't you or someone you loved. Peace!!!!!!!

By Julie

Thank you for being one of the few people on here who GET IT. People don't think, "When I grow up, I think I'd like to be a Drug Addict and maybe die". It's a disease and it's sad that the families are the ones who suffer most.

By steve

like a few of his movies was a great acter will be missed some of you people out there are pretty dam mean

Wednesday 31 March

By Shane

I agree, even though some of them may be right, have some respect for the departed. I saw a couple of episodes of their reality show, and to see what he was going through was just heartbreaking. You wonder why people feel the need to do these things, even though there's no perfect answer. Hopefully we can somehow learn from Corey's struggles, because I'm one of the few that doesn't think he died in vein. Corey is an example of what happens hundreds and thousands of times each year. We've got to get this right someday. RIP Corey. Have fun wherever you are.

By JaPomy

I can see now why humanity is falling face down. People are not willing to care for one another and lend a hand to someone in need. For those who dont care about someones life, there probably are not many that care about you.

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