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 Elise

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Really? Look at some of what you heartless people are writting. Reguardless of his past use of drugs or any bearings he had going on in his life he is now no longer here to defend himself. A life was lost here. Show some damn respect.

By warlord

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

who cares? Just another p o s Hollywood loser gone.
Who like everyone else in that hole,was paid way too much.
greed,drugs and vanity...that's hollywood....

By Linda

another handsome and talented young man gone before his time. What a loss....What happens when all the good talent in H-wood is gone? Farewell young man, I hope you find peace.

By Toni

I loved him as an actor and I will miss him very very much. All you other haters, don't, it could happen to you or someone you know and love, or not. STOP HATING SO MUCH. Can't we all just get along?????????????????????????????

By icopy

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

i think the reality show opened old wounds , he was raped as a child and as far as doctors giving him drugs if the doctors didnt he would have got them somewhere else,shame to see one so young die ,such a waste

By kyleb

Low Ranked Vote down Vote up Report this

Some of you people sound as if you are on drugs, big time. You can't even steady your hand to spell words correctly. I wouldn't be surprised if you die of an overdose or drugs laced with rat poison.(by people who recognize how heartless you are) The difference is, he was a former celebrity and got his name in the news as well as the internet and according to the post, was loved by many. No one will ever miss you.

By Susan

I loved him in "Murphy's Romance." This is a shame, and those of you who write such mean, hateful things should be ashamed of YOURSELVES, you holier-than-thou morons.

By Aja

Its so sad that our society loves to kick people when they are at there lowest then we wonder "whats going on with this world, why is there terroist?" I wonder why the rest of the world hates Americans.People are gonna say what they want but Corey has a family and they are grieving right now have some class will ya. R.I.P. Corey you are a true part of American Pop Culture. Thank you for all you have given us. Love ya!

By kh32962

Vote down Vote up Report this

Man...just think how bad it would have been if he were on pot!
Good thing he was only using safe,legal,prescription drugs.
Anything coulda happened...hell,he may have lived.

By Mandy

R.I.P.

By Dave

Another hollywood candy ass who was to much of a punk to simply exsist. Good riddence.

By Kevin

Dave ... what gives you the idea that you're a prize ?

By ropi56

nice spelling Dave,and when did your trailer park actually get internet service? Kungradjewlasions

In addition,The doctors that provided him and anyone else
with that many pills...should be executed.
There was 800.000 people arrested last year for Marijuana which hasn't killed anyone,but these jokers are handing out pills that kill everyday.
It's all about money..

By Fernando

I wonder if they will memorialize him at the Academy Awards??
Sad that minutes of fame can trash a life, RIP

By lauractobe

R.I.P. Corey.

By Tbon

So sad...good or bad...so sad for him. I'll always remember him as the cute wheel-chair bound kid in "Silver Bullet". Be at peace Cory.

By laptop603

RUGLSA
DY55. Do they call you ruglady because you munch carpet???
Carpet muncher55. Try to show some class when talking about the dead. He's done much more than you.

By WILL

HOLLYWOOD CHEWS PPL UP AND SPITS THEM OUT

By Al

OMG, OMG.........
SOME PEOPLE REACT LIKE IT'S THE END OF THE WORLD!! THIS DUDE COULDN'T GIVE A RATS A@@ ABOUT ALL OF UUUU. DOES HE PAY YOUR RENT????? WORRY ABOUT YOURSELF LIVE A GOOD LIFE AND STOP WORRYING ABOUT THESE CELEBS., THEY COULD CARE LESS ABOUT THE ORDINARY TAX PAYING CITIZEN.

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