Corey Haim Dead at 38 of Apparent Drug Overdose

By PopEater Staff Posted Mar 10th 2010 10:23AM

Corey Haim, the former teen idol who rose to fame in 1980s classics 'The Lost Boys' and 'Lucas,' died Wednesday morning of an apparent drug overdose in Burbank, Calif., the LAPD has confirmed. He was 38. Haim collapsed in the Oakwood apartment belonging to his mother, who was at home at the time and called 911.

"As he got out of bed, he felt a little weak and went down to the floor on his knees," Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter said.

According to reports, there were prescription bottles found nearby, but no illicit drugs. There is no evidence of foul play and the overdose appears to have been accidental.

Haim was taken to nearby Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, where he was pronounced dead at 2:15 a.m. An autopsy to determine the cause of death is pending.

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Canadian-born Haim rose to fame in the 1980s as a child actor. His breakout role was in the critically-acclaimed 1986 film 'Lucas,' where he played a nerdy and skinny student looking to prove himself on a high school football team. He later went on to star in major commercial hits like the vampire movie 'The Lost Boys,' 'License to Drive' and 'Dream a Little Dream.'

Like many child actors, Haim's transition from kid to adult wasn't easy, and the actor's career -- and self-esteem -- faltered over the years.

Celebs React on Twitter

Alyssa Milano: "Just woke up to the sad, sad news that Corey Haim passed away. RIP sweet boy."

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Most of his films since the 1990s have been direct-to-video and low budget sequels to other films, like 2008's 'Lost Boys 2.' In 1997, he filed for bankruptcy and spent the next decade in and out of rehab for drug addiction. He reportedly suffered a drug-related stroke in 2001. In a 2004 interview, Haim said he began drinking in 1985 and a year later tried his first joint. From there, things went from bad to worse.

"I lived in Los Angeles in the '80s, which was not the best place to be," he said. "I did cocaine for about a year and a half, then it led to crack."

After that, he claimed to have been hooked on pills, and was at one point taking up to 85 a day. "The doctors could not believe I was taking that much," he told The Sun. "And that was just the Valium -- I'm not talking about the other pills I went through."

Haim's troubled relationship with fellow '80s teen star Corey Feldman was documented in the A&E reality show 'The Two Coreys.' During the show, Haim's substance abuse was often a recurring problem between the two actors. After taping the show in 2008, Feldman cut ties with Haim over his personal problems. "I don't feel that he's a safe person to have around my wife and child at the moment, for a multitude of reasons," Feldman told PEOPLE at the time.

But recently they patched up their friendship and, not surprisingly, Feldman is devastated by the news of Haim's death.

"This is a tragic loss of a wonderful, beautiful, tormented soul, who will always be my brother, family and best friend," he writes in a statement, later adding, "I hope the art Corey has left behind will be remembered as the passion of that for which he truly lived."

Haim Career Highlights:

Corey in 'Lucas'

'Lost Boys' Clip

Last year, Haim famously took out a full-page ad in Variety aimed at getting his career back on track. The ad read: "This is not a stunt. I'm back. I'm ready to make amends. I'm ready to work." He then scored a role in 'Crank 2' alongside Jason Statham, and spoke to TV Guide about his new role. "I'm loving it, and ... I just want to work, and that's what I'm doing, thank God, on stuff I want to do," he said.

Corey Ian Haim was born Dec. 23, 1971, in Toronto. His mother enrolled the shy Corey in acting lessons at a young age, and before long he was booking commercials. In 1984, Haim scored his debut film role in 'Firstborn,' co-starring Sarah Jessica Parker and Robert Downey Jr. A year later he played Liza Minelli's dying son in the TV film 'A Time to Live.' His career quickly flourished.

The never-married Haim was briefly engaged to Nicole Eggert and Holly Fields, and over the years has dated Victoria Beckham and Alyssa Milano, who tweeted, "RIP sweet boy" upon hearing the news Wednesday morning.

Corey's Movie Legacy Corey's TV Legacy

Tags: Corey Haim, Corey Haim Dead

Comments

(575)

Wednesday 10 March

By deb

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these people are ADDICTS, it has nothing to do with intelligence. walk a mile in their shoes, then tell me how smart you feel

By shawna

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There is nothing funny about a human life taken to early. Whether they abused drugs or not. He was a very talented actor when he was young. I do feel sorry for him. Not every one has the strenght to get off of drugs. I pray that Corey F can recover from such a loss. Rest in Peace Corey H. I pray that you finally feel peace.

By Lisa

I loved the movie "Lost Boys". Sorry to see him go-but DRUGS will do it everytime! God Bless his family for the pain they are going to go thro.

By JMS

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Drugs can kill you??? Hmmm, who'd a thunk it!!

By CP

It's not the drugs. It's the people taking them.

By Larry

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A drug OVERDOSE sorry to say is no tragedy, because it's self inflicted.

By Kellie

RIP Corey and to all the garbage that has no sympathy I hope someone spits on your grave as you so cheerfully do here. Corey Feldman will not be the next one. If any of you knew whom you speak of he was trying to get Haim clean. Feldman has found love and happiness. Something that some of you lack it would appear.

By rhulbert

Very sad, addiction is a prison and to the sufferor there appears to be no way out. You reach a point where you cant live with it and you cant imagine living without it. RIP Corey, I loved your movies and grew up with you. I hope you finaly found peace.

By Amy

I remember Corey when he was a child. My favorite movie was Dream a Little Dream. I had the biggest crush on Corey H and Corey Feldman when I was going through my pre teen years. It is sad to hear of this awful tragedy. My prayers go out to his family and friends.

By D

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This drug problem is out of hand and has been for a very long time. There is nothing to feel sorry about. One makes there own desition and must live or die with it. If I were to use drugs as an excuse because my life was stressfull and having problems then I would be dead 1000 times over.On top of everything I went through 2 major hurricanes and a flood and lost everything and you dont see me looking to cover it up with drugs or anything else. Get up and off your ass and deal with it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Gabrielle

OMG. I feel so bad. You could tell he was a good person. But he was so addidicted to those drugs. This is one of those people you knew could not get off those damn drugs and would end up going this way.

By Mandy

This is a very sad day for all of us who grew up watching him. My heart is broken, such a wonderful talent gone so soon. I know that Corey Feldman is probally beside him self with grief. My thoughts and prayers are with all of his family, friends and fans. Hollywood has lost one of it's most wonderful talents. I'm so hurt, I don't know what else to say.

By Don

Because, if you know when to leave things alone you can have a little fun and then move on.

By Julie

That's dangerous advice!

By kichel

give him some chicken soup

By Nik

This makes me sooooooo sad, when i watched the 2 Coreys show, u could see how much he was struggling, i was rooting for him.
RIP Brother!

By chris

and what will you bet the Acadamy forgets about him in next years "Memorium" as well. Wasnt one of the good old boys so doesnt stand a chance of being remembered.

By holly

Forcing someone into rehab doesn't work. They have to be READY to go themselves and they have to decide that they are going to choose recovery no matter the obstacles. It's no ones fault but esp. not his family for 'forcing' him into rehab. Addiction is a choice and recovery is a choice but it has to be the addicted persons' choice. Not those around him.

By Lazarus Long

"addiction is a CHOICE"????? Holly,have you lost your freaking mind? RECOVERY may be a choice,but addiction is NOT a choice for anybody.

By flash

Holly I agree to a certain point,sometimes addiction is not a choice. They have drugs out there now that can get you hooked the first time you use it and has been used on people who never took drugs or those who rarely use drugs. All they have to do is slip it in a drink. Sad indeed.

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