For a brief moment in the late ’80s, this Toronto-born actor was the hottest teen in Hollywood. But just a few years later, it all came crashing down.
Bankrupt, battling addiction, and eventually seen on the streets begging for a slice of pizza, the child star’s life took a tragic turn. When he died in 2010, Hollywood was stunned, and even the biggest stars mourned his loss.
Here’s the heartbreaking story of Corey Haim — and how it all went so wrong.
Growing up in Hollywood is tough, and sadly, we’ve seen far too many tragic examples of it. But when it comes to Corey Haim, few stories feel more heartbreaking. He was a sweet, lovable kid before Hollywood chewed him up and spat him out.
Born in December 1971 in Toronto, Haim was a shy child, so his parents encouraged him to take acting lessons to build confidence.
By the age of ten, he was already appearing in TV commercials, and he quickly realized that being in front of the camera came naturally. This led to a role on the TV series The Edison Twins.
During this time, Haim’s parents divorced, a change that weighed heavily on him. But in 1984, he landed the role of Brian Livingston in Firstborn, earning a Young Artist Award nomination and cementing his rising career.
Film critic Roger Ebert praised him, saying he created one of the most complex and compelling characters seen in recent films, predicting a bright future ahead.
Everything changed in 1987 when Haim starred in The Lost Boys alongside Corey Feldman. The two became instant teen heartthrobs, and their chemistry led to more projects together, including the reality series The Two Coreys.
As a young teenager, Haim was flooded with fan mail — thousands of letters from around the world. But he was unprepared for the intensity of fame and the sense that he could have anything he wanted.
In 1988, on his way to the premiere of License to Drive, reporters caught a glimpse of how fame had shaped him at such a young age. His comments and behavior reflected just how deeply he had been influenced by life in the spotlight.
Like many child actors, he didn’t remain in school long. His formal education ended after eighth grade. Instead, he became a regular at Alphy’s Soda Pop Club, an exclusive nightclub for underage actors at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.
Corey Haim’s struggle with addiction
According to reports, Haim began drinking beer while filming Lucas in 1986, and by the time The Lost Boys was in production, he was using marijuana.
After moving to Los Angeles, his drug use escalated. He began using cocaine and eventually crack, and by 1989, at just 18, he entered rehab for the first time.
Recovery proved difficult.
Haim described himself as a “chronic relapser” and developed a dependence on prescription medications, at times taking as many as 85 pills a day.
Colleagues saw the toll it took. Dr. Nicki J. Monte, who worked with Haim and Feldman on The Two Coreys, said he had a “tremendous saboteur inside of him” and was unable to break free from addiction.
His struggles affected not only his health but also his career. Acting roles became scarce, leading him to step away from the industry for eight years. During that time, he faced serious financial hardship, spending much of his money on hospital visits.
At one point, he was so desperate that he tried selling his teeth and hair on eBay.
In 1997, he filed for bankruptcy, listing minimal assets, including a 1987 BMW, $100 in cash, and limited residual earnings.
He later appeared in an E! documentary that exposed the reality behind his teen idol image. It showed him living in a modest apartment above a garage in Santa Monica with his mother. During interviews, he appeared disoriented, sometimes intoxicated, and even asked for money to buy a slice of pizza while trying to convince casting agents he was “the old Corey.”
It wasn’t the first time he tried to rebuild his life.
When The Two Coreys was canceled in 2008, largely due to his struggles, he took out an ad in Variety declaring: “This is not a stunt. I’m back. I’m ready to work. I’m ready to make amends.”
Cause of death
Sadly, Haim was never able to fully overcome his addiction.
He once revealed that there was a period of three and a half years when he didn’t leave his apartment, during which his weight increased dramatically.
Tragically, on March 10, 2010, Corey Haim died from pneumonia.
Initially, police suspected an accidental overdose after prescription medications were found in his home. It later emerged that in the 32 days before his death, he had obtained over 553 prescription pills using multiple doctors and pharmacies.
Despite this, an autopsy confirmed that he died of natural causes.
Allegations and aftermath
Haim’s story continued to spark discussion after his death. Corey Feldman later claimed that both he and Haim had been abused by individuals connected to a powerful Hollywood network.
Haim’s mother, Judy, disputed broader claims but confirmed that her son had experienced abuse once.
To mark the 10th anniversary of his death, Feldman released the documentary My Truth: The Rape of Two Coreys, exploring these allegations.
One of the most controversial claims involved Charlie Sheen, who strongly denied the accusations through his representatives and has previously taken legal action over similar claims.
Every time people revisit Corey Haim’s life, it serves as a painful reminder of how fame can impact young stars. He brought joy to millions through his films, and his legacy continues to resonate.
Feel free to share this story if you also remember and appreciate Corey Haim and want to honor his memory.
