Corey Haim (Corey Haim)

Corey Haim

Actor.  A Hollywood teen idol during the 1980s who was plagued by drug addiction throughout his later career, he is probably best remembered for his role, alongside actor Corey Feldman in “The Lost Boys,” which made him a household name.  Known as ‘The Two Coreys’, the duo became 1980s icons and appeared together in seven movies, later starring in the A&E reality show “The Two Coreys.” Born Corey Ian Haim to Jewish parents, his father was a salesman and his mother was an Israeli-born data processor.  A shy boy, his mother enrolled him in drama lessons in improv and mime to help him overcome his shyness, and he accidentally stumbled into the film industry after accompanying his sister to her auditions.  At age ten, he broke into acting by playing the role of ‘Larry’ in the Canadian children’s educational comedy television series “The Edison Twins,” which aired from 1982 until 1986.  In 1984 he made his feature film debut in the thriller “Firstborn” with Sarah Jessica Parker and Robert Downey, Jr.  The following year, he appeared in minor roles in the films “Secret Admirer” and “Murphy’s Romance.”  The same year, he had a leading role in Stephen King’s film “Silver Bullet,” with Gary Busey and Everett McGill.  He began to gain industry recognition, earning his first Young Artist Award as an Exceptional Young Actor starring in a Television Special or Movie of the Week for the NBC television movie “A Time to Live.”  His breakout role came in 1986 when he starred alongside Kerri Green, Charlie Sheen, and Winona Ryder as the titular character in “Lucas” and for his performance he was nominated for an Exceptional Performance by a Young Actor in a Feature Film – Comedy or Drama, at the Young Artist Awards.  He then moved to Los Angeles and starred in the short-lived 1987 television series “Roomies” alongside Burt Young. That same year, he had a feature role as ‘Sam Emerson’ in Joel Schumacher’s “The Lost Boys.”  The young cast included Jason Patric, Kiefer Sutherland, Jami Gertz, and Coey Feldman.  The film was well received by most critics and is regarded as a 1980s classic.  His performance earned him another Young Artist Award nomination as Best Young Male Superstar in a Motion Picture.  His next film was “License to Drive” (1980) that co-starred Feldman and Heather Graham, in which he played the lead role of ‘Les’.  The film won him a second Young Artist Award and tied Feldman for the Best Young Actor in a Motion Picture Comedy or Fantasy award.  He and Feldman next teamed in the metaphysical romantic comedy “Dream a Little Dream.”  By this time, he became involved with alcohol and drugs, and addicted to crack cocaine.  In 1989 he attempted to stop his addiction by going cold turkey but later that year he entered a rehab program.  In 1990 he co-starred with Patricia Arquette in the science fiction film “Prayer of the Rollerboys” but his ongoing drugs problems continued and he began to lose his core audience.  In 1991 he starred in the films “Dream Machine,” followed in 1992 by “Oh, What a Night,” “The Double 0 Kid,” and “Blown Away.”  In February 1993 he was arrested for threatening his business manager.  Later that year, he starred in the film “Anything for Love,” followed by a full motion video game called “Double Switch,” which was released for the Sega CD and later for the Sega Saturn, as well as for the home computer.  Over the next two years, he released sequels to two of his older films, 1994’s “Fast Getaway II” along with “National Lampoon’s Last Resort,” 1995’s “Life 101,” and another sequel, “Dream a Little Dream 2.” In 1996 he appeared in four additional direct-to-video films with Feldman, “Snowboard Academy,” “Demolition High,” “Fever Lake,” and “Busted.” However, Feldman was forced to fire him after he refused to curtail his drug use and was inconsistent on the set.  After a minor role in the television film “Merlin: The Quest Begins,” he appeared in comedy films “Never Too Late” (1997) and “Demolition University” (1997).  The same year, he filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, with over $200,000 in debts and assets totaling less than $50,000.  In 2000 he attempted a comeback with the direct-to-video thriller “Without Malice,” with Jennifer Beals and Craig Sheffer, in hopes it would offer him a desired transition from his teen fare days. In 2001 he was the subject of an “E! True Hollywood Story” that aired on October 17, showing him living in an apartment above a garage in Santa Monica, California with his mother. By 2004 he appeared to have overcome his drug habit after his mother persuaded him to return to Toronto with her and resettle there.  In 2006 he was ranked Number 8 on VH1’s Greatest Teen Stars and in December of that year, he reunited with Feldman and began taping a reality show titled “The Two Coreys,” which aired on the A&E Network in July 2007. However, he relapsed and his prescription drug abuse became apparent, which prompted a six-month hiatus before the start of the second season. While filming the show, he had an automobile accident while under the influence of drugs, and walked out for good on the show’s psychiatrist, resulting in A&E pulling the show midway through its second season in July 2008.  After filming the gambling comedy “Shark City” in Toronto in 2008, he had become destitute and homeless in Los Angeles.  He was taken in by singer-songwriter G Tom Mac, who wrote “Cry Little Sister” for “The Lost Boys” soundtrack and  they developed an idea for a reality show called “Lost Boy Found,” that would document his addiction and recovery through music at Mac’s studio, where he had been given a place to stay.   A pilot was filmed but the show was not picked up.  In 2009 he appeared in the action film “Crank: High Voltage” followed in 2010 with “American Sunset” and “Decisions.” Shortly afterwards, he collapsed at his home and died at the age of 38 from diffuse alveolar damage and pneumonia, coupled with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and coronary arteriosclerosis. (bio by: William Bjornstad)

Born

  • December, 23, 1971
  • Canada

Died

  • March, 03, 2010
  • USA

Cemetery

  • Pardes Shalom Cemetery
  • Ontario
  • Canada

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