Corey Haim Dead at 38

Corey Haim has died at 38, likely of a drug overdose.

Actor Corey Haim, who appeared in a number of movies during the 1980s, died early Wednesday of a possible drug overdose after being taken to a hospital, Los Angeles police said.

Haim, 38, was taken to Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, California, where he was pronounced dead at about 3:30 a.m. PT Wednesday (6:30 a.m. ET), police Sgt. Frank Albarran said. The death appears to be accidental, possibly an overdose, Albarran said.

Haim’s most famous role was in the 1987 movie “The Lost Boys” in which he appeared with his frequent co-star, Corey Feldman.

In later years, the two friends — who appeared in eight movies together — both struggled with drug abuse and went their separate ways. They reunited for a reality show, “The Two Coreys,” in 2007, but A&E Network canceled the program after slightly more than a year.

Sad news.

It’s simply bizarre to me that people can fall so far.  Being world famous at 15 has to be distorting and creates ridiculous expectations for one’s future that most child stars can’t live up to.  But you’d think someone with Haim’s talents could have found a better path than drugs and misery.

FILED UNDER: Obituaries, Popular Culture,
James Joyner
About James Joyner
James Joyner is Professor and Department Head of Security Studies at Marine Corps University's Command and Staff College. He's a former Army officer and Desert Storm veteran. Views expressed here are his own. Follow James on Twitter @DrJJoyner.

Comments

  1. markm says:

    Being world famous at 15 has to be distorting and creates ridiculous expectations for one’s future that most child stars can’t live up to. But you’d think someone with Haim’s talents could have found a better path than drugs and misery.

    It sure seems that there are plenty of “stars” dying from drug overdose, regardless of their current stature within the industry. Heath Ledger?.

  2. just me says:

    It is sad news. I sometimes think fame at an early age is difficult to deal with, so many child actors seem to end up addicted or emotionally lost. Although adults and youth die from drug overdoses all the time-I imagine deaths due to addictions aren’t higher among actors and actresses they just get more coverage.

  3. Have a nice G.A. says:

    Very sad.

    But you’d think someone with Haim’s talents could have found a better path than drugs and misery.

    Once you become an addict, and let me say that most of us never expect to, it is very hard to stop, even with treatment and support. I have been fighting this condition for about 8 years now, and I have been an addict for more then 25. Some can pull it off, many die, a lot like me just keep struggling and I’m not to sure why,
    it ain’t from a lack of effort or help. For me anyhow.

  4. tom p says:

    Corey Haim has died at 38

    Not to be coarse (ok, for exactly that reason) but who? (never heard of him)

    It’s simply bizarre to me that people can fall so far.

    I have to say James, there is nothing bizarre in it at all, happens all the time. For instance: Some texas meth head got his brains splattered all over I-44 yester morn when he decided it was a good idea to shoot at state troopers and Crawford Co deputies.

    Born? Check. Drug addict? Check. Dead at a young age? Check. Was he good at something? Probably, just not something to make him famous(welding maybe?). The only bizarre thing here is how a person can put their own sensibilities onto another human being they have never met.

    Have a nice GA, I would send you my prayers, but I am an aetheist, so you will have to settle for my best wishes. Good luck.

  5. Have a nice G.A. says:

    Have a nice GA, I would send you my prayers, but I am an aetheist, so you will have to settle for my best wishes. Good luck.

    I’ll take whatever Big Tom, just no Voodoo, human sacrifice or Obamacare please:)

  6. physics geek says:

    “Lucas” remains one of my favorite movies of all time. Kind of sad to see Corey #1 fail to turn his life around.