I'm not going to lie -- I haven't paid attention to Corey Haim for years. I was only vaguely aware of his drug troubles and related health problems, and I didn't watch 'The Two Coreys.' I was amused to see his Variety ad last year -- the one where he said he was ready to work again -- the way you feel when an ex you remember fondly does something stupid but sweet. And that's why his sudden death was such a punch to the gut; no matter how long Corey's been off my radar, he was my first love.
It's not like I knew him personally. My first real love, a few years later, was a nice boy from the next high school over -- a boy with floppy hair who, if I'm being honest with myself, strongly resembled 'License to Drive'-era Corey. But every generation has the stars that little girls harbor secret fantasies of marrying, and while today's kids are planning weddings with Justin Bieber and Nick Jonas, I was walking down the aisle with Corey Haim.
I had plenty of choices. Tiger Beat was littered with collectible, detachable posters of River Phoenix, any number of New Kids and Haim's co-star/partner-in-crime, Corey Feldman. At 11, it's not that I was immune to their charms. No red-blooded tween could resist the non-threatening dimples of a teenaged Kirk Cameron. But Haim was the perfect imaginary boyfriend for a sort-of shy, sort-of awkward little girl.
He was just a hair younger than the rest -- actually, he was only five years older than me. Where Kirk Cameron had the curly hair and winning smile of any yearbook's 'Most Popular,' Haim always carried a bit of his gawky, underdog 'Lucas' into every role. Insofar as a sixth grader has a league, he seemed to be in it -- or at least as much in my league as I could make myself believe in my daydreams.
Both he and Corey Feldman, in and out of the many movies they appeared in together, seemed more counterculture than the other heartthrobs -- a little weirder, a little more like real teenagers. Haim had the edge, of course, because he was the cute one.
If 'Lucas' was the movie that sold me on Corey, 'The Lost Boys' gave him the credibility to make my crush feel cool. Long before today's special effects rendered 'The Lost Boys' laughably dated, the movie was a cult favorite. Haim and Jason Patric played brothers in a gang-plagued town -- after Patric's character Michael got sucked into the gang, Sam (Haim) realized the thugs were actually vampires.
'The Lost Boys' marked Haim's first entry in his unofficial partnership with Feldman. The other Corey portrayed a junior vampire hunter, and the two staked their claim on the signature roles in their ongoing relationship: Feldman as the brash comedian and Haim as the vulnerable every-kid.
They later co-starred in 'Dream a Little Dream' -- one of my favorites, but primarily Feldman's vehicle -- and 'License to Drive'. The latter, a coming-of-age comedy, prominently featured a Cadillac and a girl named Mercedes; in 1988, it was the height of adolescent sophistication. Mine were surely not the only parents to inform their daughter a name-change was out of the question, least of all to the trademark of a German luxury automobile.
I feel deeply sad that no one was able to save Corey Haim from his addictions; he was a human being and the death of a 38-year-old man is a tragic waste.
It's so sad to hear about him. My heart sank when I saw the word "dead" next to his picture. He was definitely one of my crushes, along with Kirk Cameron, River Phoenix, Johnny Depp (still crushing on him), Jason Patric, and Keifer Sutherland (haha...can you tell I was a Lost Boys fan?). I remember when Corey had his own show called Roomies. I loved that show and hated it when it was canceled. May he rest in peace.
Rest in Peace, Corey. I'll fondly remember those "pin-ups" of you on my bedroom walls. You have left a permanent mark on my childhood. For this, I thank you.
I think you hit it right on with this article. I was just on the phone an hour ago with a friend before reading this, saying how when I was 12, Corey was the father of my unborn children. We were madly in love and living happily ever after, that is until Joey McIntyre sang his way into my heart and I, as you, slowly forgot all about my beloved Corey. What sad times us in civilization are having lately. Farrah, Michael, Corey....who's next? I can't take anymore heartbreak.....
Another Sad day in Hollywood, there is no learning curve for a drug addict, Leif Garrett take notice nobody is invincible to drugs if you don't watch it your the next headline to a tragic death to drugs!!!
When we were little my cousins and I used to play "work" We pretended to be adults and dress up in our mom's clothes and pretend to go to work. We made up our married names as well. My married last name was Haim because I absolutey loved Corey.
this is really heartbreaking -- I lost my brother at the age of 38 due to his addiction to presription drugs -- I wish somehow I could have helped him, saved him, but he was unable to help himself. please remember he was a human being -- someone who yes made a lot of mistakes -- but also someone who was not able to help himself and realize the depths of his addiction.
so many people on here are so miserable, like you ...
his death has a profound effect on women that remember their hearts being captured by this sweet boy that always seemed so lost and interested in being loved ... I'm quite certain however that your death will have no such effect ... you are a poor excuse for a human being.
i have battled addictions half my life and am once again in the middle of another battle with oxycontin,i have been able to shake all addictions except oxycontin I swear the drug co. has found something that is almost impossible to kick I hope I get it before it kills me. I'm almost certain that corey was a oxtcontin addict and i got him...dorry corey you were a cool little kid,!!! god bless
Corey was a good actor it is a shame that he couldn't get those demons that drove him to drugs out of his life.Hope that now he could be at peace with himself Corey rest in peace
What a tragic day!! When I woke up this morning and heard the news I layed back down and cried!! Corey Haim was my first celebrity crush. My walls were covered with his pictures and I was so jealous of Lala Zappa as a teenager. I know every word of the Lost Boys and have seen it over 500 times. Not only that movie but Lucas, Silver Bullet, liscense to Drive, Dream a little dream, Blown away, and a few more. I still have a crush on him. he will be sorely missed and will always be a legend of his time.
So sad. I also remember him as Sally Fields son in Murphy's Romance. Drugs and alcohol has contributed to another early death in Hollywood of a once rising young star. Too bad.
Jess -- honestly you seem like an unhappy person -- how can you post something so hateful to someone you do not even know? what is wrong with you? you my friend are the miserable one. Addiction is a horrible thing -- something very difficult for those of us who don't have that problem to understand -- I found it hard to understand it with my brother -- but I never stopped loving him -- God Bless
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It's so sad to hear about him. My heart sank when I saw the word "dead" next to his picture. He was definitely one of my crushes, along with Kirk Cameron, River Phoenix, Johnny Depp (still crushing on him), Jason Patric, and Keifer Sutherland (haha...can you tell I was a Lost Boys fan?). I remember when Corey had his own show called Roomies. I loved that show and hated it when it was canceled. May he rest in peace.
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Rest in Peace, Corey. I'll fondly remember those "pin-ups" of you on my bedroom walls. You have left a permanent mark on my childhood. For this, I thank you.
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I think you hit it right on with this article. I was just on the phone an hour ago with a friend before reading this, saying how when I was 12, Corey was the father of my unborn children. We were madly in love and living happily ever after, that is until Joey McIntyre sang his way into my heart and I, as you, slowly forgot all about my beloved Corey. What sad times us in civilization are having lately. Farrah, Michael, Corey....who's next? I can't take anymore heartbreak.....
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Another Sad day in Hollywood, there is no learning curve for a drug addict, Leif Garrett take notice nobody is invincible to drugs if you don't watch it your the next headline to a tragic death to drugs!!!
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I feel like I wrote this! My thoughts exactly.
Corey, you will be missed!
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Me too! I thought I was going to marry him too! Strange but true. What a tragic loss.
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They forgot one of his best movies, "Silver Bullet".
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When we were little my cousins and I used to play "work" We pretended to be adults and dress up in our mom's clothes and pretend to go to work. We made up our married names as well. My married last name was Haim because I absolutey loved Corey.
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They forgot Silver Bullet I liked that movie also!!!!!
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this is really heartbreaking -- I lost my brother at the age of 38 due to his addiction to presription drugs -- I wish somehow I could have helped him, saved him, but he was unable to help himself. please remember he was a human being -- someone who yes made a lot of mistakes -- but also someone who was not able to help himself and realize the depths of his addiction.
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so many people on here are so miserable, like you ...
his death has a profound effect on women that remember their hearts being captured by this sweet boy that always seemed so lost and interested in being loved ... I'm quite certain however that your death will have no such effect ... you are a poor excuse for a human being.
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i have battled addictions half my life and am once again in the middle of another battle with oxycontin,i have been able to shake all addictions except oxycontin I swear the drug co. has found something that is almost impossible to kick I hope I get it before it kills me. I'm almost certain that corey was a oxtcontin addict and i got him...dorry corey you were a cool little kid,!!!
god bless
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Corey was a good actor it is a shame that he couldn't get those
demons that drove him to drugs out of his life.Hope that now he could be at peace with himself Corey rest in peace
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I cant believe it I didnt know that he had died I loved corey haim. Its sad even though you didnt know him personally
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What a tragic day!! When I woke up this morning and heard the news I layed back down and cried!! Corey Haim was my first celebrity crush. My walls were covered with his pictures and I was so jealous of Lala Zappa as a teenager. I know every word of the Lost Boys and have seen it over 500 times. Not only that movie but Lucas, Silver Bullet, liscense to Drive, Dream a little dream, Blown away, and a few more. I still have a crush on him. he will be sorely missed and will always be a legend of his time.
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So sad. I also remember him as Sally Fields son in Murphy's Romance. Drugs and alcohol has contributed to another early death in Hollywood of a once rising young star. Too bad.
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Jess -- honestly you seem like an unhappy person -- how can you post something so hateful to someone you do not even know? what is wrong with you? you my friend are the miserable one. Addiction is a horrible thing -- something very difficult for those of us who don't have that problem to understand -- I found it hard to understand it with my brother -- but I never stopped loving him -- God Bless
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My 17 year old daughter is named Mercedes after the character in License to Drive! Goodbye Cory..
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I won't forget him. Loved every movie that I saw him in. But at least add Watchers to best movie list.
Don't know what his private life was like but a little. I had hoped he could have got past his demons.
RIP Corey, alot of us grew up with you in the films. Thanks for that entertainment
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Wow. So tragic. Seems so wierd to me especially since "Seasons After" just came out with their remake of "Cry Little Sister".
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