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 terbonb

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

By jason henriksen

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I am disappointed in humanity. I cannot believe these people on here have so many negative things to say. He ia no longer with us, he passed away. Even if he did make his own mistakes that ultimately lead to his demise- he's gone and deserves more respect as a human being than he is being given. You self absorbed, ignorant people know nothing about fame and the life style/temptations that go with it. Adults have enough trouble resisting yet a child/teenage star is being ridiculed after he has passed on for not having the strength to resist-ridiculed by people who know nothing of what he went through? You should all be ashamed!

By Gazzie

Quite the opposite of Michael Jackson, isn't it? They were both human beings!

By Rondo

Very sad about Mr. Haim. He was a good actor and probably a good guy in spite of his addictions. What really concerns me though is when will the Duggars finally consider anal?

By JagDriver

These kids and their parents! Sell their soul for a Hollywood career, the managers, producers and hangers-on see out the rest. Another carcass to bury. F'd up for sure.

By dean wenz

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whenever i see these famous people dying so easily at such a young age i start to really examine my life. My drinking and drug use, although to me seems like jus having fun, is a very serious situation. i think we should all realize we are next if we continue to live that life. You had a great run corey.. u did it your way. Rest in piece brother

Sunday 14 March

By julie

I grew up in the 80s watching Corey Haim I was about 8 years old in 1988.I liked the movie License to Drive it was a cool movie.But Lost Boys was an epic they waited to 2008 to make a sequel what 21 years.Corey Haim was a legend of his time no matter what happens in life god forgives of our sins.

By Karen

Corey was a wonderful child star! May he now rest in peace now!

By Marla

I don't know who the person is calling themselves Obama. But it should not be allowed. Some people will do anything to make the President look bad.

By randy

Maria , I dont think you have to worry about other people making President Obama look bad ... he's doing a good job of that himself that frickin douche bag

By Sluggo

Especially the president

By alice

I only saw him on that reality show with the other Corey. I could tell he was troubled, always riled up about something or other. Feldman turned into Mr. Straight but Haim was a party guy 'til the end. He was into his art last I heard of him, (painting). Hope you enjoyed the ride. RIP

By laurie

My all time favorite movie has been the Lost Boys.It's great. I can't believe the hateful posts,yet I'm not surprised.These people have no life,other than to sit in front of their screen all day,trying to be the 1st one to post on a story,or saying something off the wall,and then sitting and waiting to see if they get a response.Pretty pathetic.If AOL gave an I.Q test before allowing posts to be written,9 out of 10 of the losers wouldn't be on here.Unfortunately,we have to see what they said in order to post something ourselves.Something that actually has to do with the story.Rest in peace,Corey.You died too young.

By greg

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I love this site, it lets all types of losers to post on here , crying over poor corey. its about time to buck up and show some tough love for corey . you know what that is? its not making excuses for anyones downfall. stop crying over spilled milk. life will go on, another loser will die in hollywood next week , and then we can all be back here, and piss and moan again. life is great!!!!!!!!! uncle jesse , say it one more , whooooooooo ya! hahahaha

By ghossfrg2

Greg, it is ignorance found in small minded people like you that explains what is wrong with our social society as a whole. You cared enough to read this article and then to read the posts...then you want to trash those of us that say something nice after reading the very same stuff you did. He was a person...he was someones son, friend, and loved one. Did he make bad decisions? YES, does that discount him from deserving respect and dignity in his time of death? HELL NO! I wouldn't wish addiction on anyone, I have seen what it can do, it is a monster and people with it need help not ridicule! OH, I'm sorry, did I loose you there? You are too ignorant to understand...

By Cathy2406

Child actors should be required to have group/individual therapy from the start of their careers. This may help them realize the real world that is going on around them in their bubble that they have created for themselves. From a prince/princess to a pauper is enought to cause anyone psychological issues.

By xtinman72

Well it is a shame! So many people dont understand the disease of addiction. It's obvious that Cory didnt have the right people in his life.

By leslie gobel

Who's to say he didn't die of the flu? Walk in his shoes, people. Yes, he had a lot of problems, but God will bles him. RIP..........

By Acuda4me

Another Hollywood OD.

WHEN (if ever) will Hollywood start "taking care of their own" and set up some kind of rehab for their own?

By bl

There, but for the grace of God, go I.....

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