For a brief moment in the late ’80s, Toronto-born Corey Haim was one of Hollywood’s biggest teen stars. But just a few years later, his life unraveled completely.
Born in 1971, Haim started acting as a child and quickly found success in TV and film. By his teens, roles in films like Firstborn and The Lost Boys—alongside Corey Feldman—made him a massive teen heartthrob. Fame came fast, along with overwhelming attention and pressure he was never ready for.
Behind the scenes, things were already slipping. He dropped out of school early, was exposed to adult nightlife, and soon began using alcohol and drugs. What started with marijuana escalated to cocaine, crack, and heavy prescription medication use. By 18, he had already entered rehab, beginning a long cycle of recovery and relapse.
As addiction worsened, his career collapsed. Work disappeared, money ran out, and he eventually filed for bankruptcy in 1997. At his lowest point, he was living in poor conditions, struggling financially, and publicly battling his substance use. Attempts at comebacks never fully stuck.
In March 2010, Corey Haim died at age 38. Though there was early speculation about overdose, his death was later ruled from natural causes (pneumonia), with prescription drug misuse heavily involved in the circumstances leading up to it.
After his death, further controversy followed, including allegations about abuse in Hollywood made by his friend Corey Feldman—claims that remain disputed.
Today, Haim is remembered as a talented child star whose life was consumed by fame too early, addiction, and a system that failed to protect him.
