Corey Haim
Corey Haim was a Canadian actor born on December 23, 1971, in Toronto, known for his rise to fame as a teen idol during the 1980s. His early career began with the Canadian television series *The Edison Twins* and quickly expanded to film, with standout roles in movies such as *Firstborn* (1984), *Lucas* (1986), and the cult classic *The Lost Boys* (1987), where he starred alongside Corey Feldman. Haim's career peaked during this vibrant era of teen films, leading to further collaborations with Feldman in *License to Drive* (1988) and *Dream a Little Dream* (1989).
Despite his early success, Haim faced significant challenges, including struggles with substance abuse, which impacted his career trajectory in the 1990s, leading to fewer roles primarily in direct-to-video films. In an effort to revive his career, he appeared in the reality show *The Two Coreys* alongside Feldman from 2007 to 2008. Haim passed away on March 10, 2010, at the age of 38, with pneumonia being the official cause of death, despite earlier reports suggesting a drug overdose. Throughout his life, Haim's contributions to film and his status as a beloved figure of 80s pop culture remain significant.
Subject Terms
Corey Haim
Actor
- Born: December 23, 1971
- Died: March 10, 2010
Contribution: Canadian actor Corey Haim rose to Hollywood stardom as a teen idol in the 1980s. After a breakout role in Lucas (1986), Haim starred in a string of hits, including The Lost Boys (1987) and Dream a Little Dream (1989), becoming one of the more recognizable actors in the world. He was known his long-standing friendship and working relationship with fellow actor Corey Feldman. The two actors collaborated on a reality show later in their respective careers.
Early Life
Corey Ian Haim was born on December 23, 1971, in Toronto, Canada. Haim’s Israeli-born mother was a computer operator and his French-Canadian father worked in sales. In an attempt to help him overcome his shyness, Haim’s mother enrolled a young Corey in acting classes. However, Haim was more interested in other activities, including comic books, playing music on his keyboard, and playing ice hockey.
Film & Television Career
Haim first became involved in professional acting when he starred in the comedy series The Edison Twins, which ran on Canadian television between 1982 and 1986. Haim’s first movie role came in the 1984 hit movie Firstborn, which starred, among others, future movie stars Sarah Jessica Parker and Robert Downey Jr.
Numerous film and television appearances followed, including roles in Secret Admirer (1985) and Murphy’s Romance (1985). Haim’s status as a teen idol was firmly established after starring in the 1986 movie Lucas alongside Charlie Sheen and Winona Ryder. He also played the leading role in a film version of Stephen King’s novella Silver Bullet (1985), playing a paraplegic alongside actor Gary Busey.
Haim is perhaps best known for his role in The Lost Boys, a 1987 movie about teenage vampires in California, directed by Joel Schumacher. The movie, which also starred Corey Feldman, was well received by critics and earned over $30 million at the box office. Both Haim and Feldman went on to star together in numerous movies during the late 1980s, including License to Drive (1988) and Dream a Little Dream (1989), the latter of which became a cult favorite among film fans.
Plagued by drug problems and the pressures of stardom, Haim’s career took a turn for the worse in the 1990s. Throughout the decade, he appeared in only minor roles in a few movies—the majority of which were direct-to-video releases. In 2007, Haim starred alongside Feldman in the reality television show The Two Coreys. The show represented an attempt by both actors to reinvigorate their careers and both served as executive producers of the show. However, there were production complications due to Haim’s continued drug use and the show was taken off the air in 2008 after airing for one year. Haim was found dead in his home in Burbank, California, on March 10, 2010. Although it was initially reported that he died of a drug overdose, his official cause of death was pneumonia and pulmonary edema. Haim struggled with prescription drug abuse late in his life, but at the time of his death was making an effort to improve his health.
Principal Works
Film
Secret Admirer, 1985
Silver Bullet, 1985
Lucas, 1986
The Lost Boys, 1987
License to Drive, 1988
Watchers, 1988
Dream a Little Dream, 1989
Fast Getaway, 1991
Never Too Late, 1997
Universal Groove, 2007
Television
Roomies, 1987
Merlin: The Quest Begins, 1998
The Two Coreys, 2007–2008
Bibliography
Bachelor, Blaine. “Corey Haim Died Broke & Alone, Says Corey Feldman.” People. Time Inc., 11 Mar. 2010. Web. 1 Aug. 2013.
Cathcart, Rebecca. “Illegal Prescription Discovered for Actor Found Dead.” New York Times. New York Times Co., 13 Mar. 2010. Web. 1 Aug. 2013.
Itzkoff, Dave. “Corey Haim, Actor, Dies at 38.” New York Times. New York Times Co., 11 Mar. 2010. Web. 1 Aug. 2013.
“Lost Boys actor Corey Haim dies aged 38.” BBC News. BBC, 10 Mar. 2010. Web. 1 Aug. 2013.
Slotek, Jim. “Haim Became A Punchline.” Toronto Star. Star Media Group, 10 Mar. 2010. Web. 1 Aug. 2013.
Vallance, Tom. “Corey Haim: Actor best known for his role in ‘The Lost Boys.’” Independent (London). Independent Print Limited, 13 Mar. 2010. Web. 1 Aug. 2013.
Wigler, Josh. “Corey Haim: A Timeline Of The Late Actor’s Career.” MTV. Viacom Media Networks, 10 Mar. 2010. Web. 1 Aug. 2013.