Corey Feldman to Larry King: Hollywood Kicks Child Stars when They're Down

Corey Feldman appeared on Larry King to discuss his best friend Corey Haim's sudden and tragic death. Feldman warned viewers not to assume that Corey Haim had died of overdose. Although Corey Haim had struggled with substance abuse in the past, Corey Feldman believes that Haim had been turning his life around and that one cannot draw conclusions until we see the autopsy reports.

Corey Feldman also had some harsh words for Hollywood and the tabloids. While he expressed gratitude at Hollywood's outpouring of support in the wake of Haim's death, he asks Larry King, "where were these people ten years ago?" He asks where these people were when Corey Haim was broke, living in the Oakwood Apartments, and caring for his mother who was undergoing cancer treatments.

Feldman goes on to criticize Hollywood for building up child stars and putting them on pedestals when they're young, then discarding them when they no longer have use for them. He also criticized gossip sites like TMZ for poking fun at these former child stars when they are down and treating them like jokes.

Feldman believes that Corey Haim just need people to remind him how talented he was and to encourage him in his efforts to work through his problems.

Corey Feldman makes a valid point on Larry King. Hollywood tends to build teen idols up, kick celebrities when they're alive and struggling, but fawn and deify them when they're gone. Just look at Michael Jackson.

Corey Feldman encouraged fans and Hollywood to continue paying respects to Corey Haim, but at the same time asked us to look in the mirror next time we think of making fun of someone in the tabloids.

Unfortunately, Corey Haim's struggles as a former teen idol are all too common in Hollywood. Our society loves to ridicule celebrities like Lindsay Lohan, Britney Spears, and Miley Cyrus and to implicitly root for them to fail. Drug addictions and sex scandals are far more newsworthy than well-adjusted celebrities.

Given that the culture of Hollywood and tabloids isn't going to change, one way to keep young celebrities grounded is to encourage them to pursue other interests, and to remember that there is life outside Hollywood. If one audition doesn't work out, it is important for them to remember that there are other options.

Mayim Bialik, one of Hollywood's most well-adjusted former child stars, pursued academics as well as acting. According to ET, she credits her strict immigrant parents for helping her steer clear of drugs and alcohol. Her parents had encouraged her to have normal chores and responsibilities and to value education. As a result, she was able to avoid many of the pitfalls of Hollywood.

As with young actors, it's equally important for young athletes to remain well-rounded, especially in sports where one's career is over before age 30. In figure skating, Tenley Albright is a wonderful example of a well-round former athlete. After winning an Olympic Gold Medal in 1956, she went on to become a surgeon. According to the National Library of Medicine, she was one of only five women in her class at Harvard Medical School.

Corey Feldman's interview with Larry King is available at Mediaite.

Sources:

Mayim Bialik: Life After 'Blossom,' ET Online

Changing the Face of Medicine: Dr. Tenley Albright, NLM

Corey Feldman Discusses Corey Haim On Larry King Live, Mediaite