Corey Haim Found Dead, Shocking Fans of Lost Boys Star

Although some Internet searchers are still wondering "Is Corey Haim dead?" the answer, sadly, is yes. Only 38 years old, Haim was reported dead by TMZ and many other sources. He'd had a long and checkered history of rehab visits as well as appearing on a show, The Two Coreys, with a friend, Corey Feldman (sometimes known as the other Corey). Early this morning, his mother reportedly found him and called 911. A drug overdose is being investigated.

Corey Haim and Corey Feldman were often linked together, having had a tumultuous but seemingly lifelong friendship, although tension clearly showed on The Two Coreys, particularly when Haim verbally attacked Feldman's wife, grew angry and had trouble calming down. Unfortunately, they seemed to have lost contact after the ill-fated show.

Although this may be seen as yet another child star falling from grace, Corey Haim had true potential to become a talented adult actor. He had years of success as a child and teen actor, appearing in the critically acclaimed film Lucas as well as Murphy's Romance, The Lost Boys, License to Drive and more. I'll never forget seeing him in Lucas and marveling at his ability to capture the agony of a school and social misfit. He had the character down pat. He received critical acclaim for this early role.

Surprisingly, the major years of his career only lasted for mainly four years, as Haim grew from age 12 to 16, but that was long enough to make significant amounts of money, buy drugs and start down a path he couldn't escape.

Corey Haim First Admits to Drug Use on Arsenio Hall Show

Although rumors had been swirling before Haim admitted that he was heavily into drugs by age 16, Arsenio Hall's show is where he actually admitted his attempts to stay clean. That appearance can be seen on Youtube here. Haim notes that "I got messed up for awhile" and even added that he gave advice about drugs to others while he was high. He spoke about being estranged from his mother and then making peace again.

After that, Haim seemed to have trouble finding a consistent direction for himself. He made a Me, Myself and I documentary, which unfortunately was ridiculed for showcasing Haim's ego more than his talents.

Corey Haim and Feldman Have Falling Out Over Drug Use

Things came to a head on The Two Coreys when Feldman threatened to end the friendship over Haim's alleged use of drugs. Part of the clip aired, adding to tension, and in one show Haim was clearly shown shaken and distraught about how his role would be cut in the then upcoming sequel of The Lost Boys. Anger about his role in The Lost Boys sequel can be seen here on YouTube. Haim was actually filmed trying to learn lines for the sequel, but it was clear that he wasn't in any shape to be in most of the movie. Feldman appears sad, baffled and confused about the whole situation. Corey Haim can be heard asking repeatedly "What's the line, sir?" which only added to frustrations for the cast, crew and production company.

During a Career Slump, Haim Resorted to Selling a Tooth - and Even His Hair - on Ebay

In spite of being in demand as a child star, Corey Haim got info financial trouble later. He actually tried selling a tooth and snippet of hair on Ebay. He seemed to have trouble staying financially afloat and some wondered if he could make a comeback. The Two Coreys seemed to offer possible hope that this could happen but instead left an impression of Ham as unpredictable and difficult. Sadly, he died before he and Corey Feldman could patch things up.

Corey Haim Still Remembered by Thousand of Fans, as Twitter and Facebook Users React with Shock to His Death

Even as I write this, thousands of tweets about Haim's death keep filling up Twitter page, many of them from women who have remained obsessed with him from the time he first appeared on screen. Perhaps for them, he remains forever the Haim they remembered, a teen heartthrob, cute and young and full of possibility. In addition to the thousands posting about him on Twitter, there is a Corey Haim Facebook page, probably one of many to come.

Sources:

CTV.ca News, Canadian Actor Corey Haim, 80's Heartthrob, Found Dead, March 10 here
Arsenio Hall, Corey Haim interview, YouTube here
Former Child Star Confronts Corey Haim about Drug Use, People magazine, here
Corey Haim - Drug Overdose, Sources Say, TMZ, here
Corey Haim Found Dead, March 10, TMZ here