Post by McGarrett on Mar 11, 2010 0:15:48 GMT -5
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.
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.
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."
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.
SOURCE: www.popeater.com/2010/03/10/corey-haim-dies-38/
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Celebrities react to Corey Haim death via Twitter
by Archana Ram
Categories: In Memoriam, News
As soon as news of Corey Haim’s death broke this morning, celebrities began pouring in their condolences via Twitter. Some of these big names may not have known the actor, but here’s what Hollywood is tweeting about Haim’s tragic passing.
Alyssa Milano: Just woke up to the sad, sad news that Corey Haim passed away. RIP sweet boy.
Ashton Kutcher: Rip Corey Haim “Childhood hero”
Christina Applegate: My thoughts go out to Corey’s family and friends today. So sad.
Ralph Macchio: Always so sad and disturbing when the addiction and demons prevail. RIP Corey Haim
A&E Television: We are saddened by the tragic loss of Corey Haim who we had the pleasure to work with on the series ‘The Two Coreys…. Our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time.
Khloe Kardashian: So sad! God bless!!!
Lisa Ling: Goodbye Lucus. RIP Corey Haim
Director Kevin Smith: Lost Boy goes home: Corey Haim, dead at 38. G’bye, LUCAS. You gave hope to the weird & unlikely.
Hoda Kotb: so sad about corey haim…..
Marlee Matlin: Another actor dies because of drug addiction. In this case RIP Corey Haim.
Melissa Joan Hart: No way! I just saw him last week at a Lupus event! RIP!
Adrianne Curry: Drugs dont kill people, people kill themselves w/drugs..party in their teens&continue2do so through their 20’s and 30’s, leading2death…. Corey Haim died.That is what happens when u cant grow the f— up&kick the habit.sadly,most who start dont stop.A waste of beautiful life
Coco (wife of actor/rapper Ice T): Corey Haim Died!Crazy!He was in his 30’s.Loved his movies,License 2 Drive,Lost Boys & Lucas. Why does it seem like everybody’s dying lately?
Danielle Staub of Real Housewives of New Jersey: “Rest peacefully Corey Haim.”
Karina Smirnoff: What is happening with Hollywood? Corey Haim found dead from overdose. Another talent lost to drugs.
Hart Hanson (Bones creator): Corey Haim died? That’s just sad and depressing.
Teen actress Meredith Salanger: just woke to hear Corey Haim passed away. Heartbreaking. so sad. Rest in Peace Corey.
