Actor Corey Haim died of apparent drug overdose

A preliminary investigation into the death of former child actor Corey Haim found he died early Wednesday morning of an apparent drug overdose, sources said.

There was no sign of foul play, investigators said, but it was not immediately clear what type of substance led to the death of the 38-year-old actor, who was taken to Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank after being found unresponsive at his home.

He was officially pronounced dead at 3 a.m. at the hospital. The investigation is now in the hands of the Los Angeles County coroner's office.

Police learned of Haim's death when staff at the hospital called authorities between 4 and 4:30 a.m., said Sgt. Frank Albarren of the Los Angeles Police Department's North Hollywood Station.

"It was an apparent overdose,'' Albarren told reporters. "Unknown what type of medication."

Haim's death comes after the recent deaths in Los Angeles of two other young celebrities, actress Brittany Murphy and heiress Casey Johnson. Murphy, 32, died in December of multiple-drug intoxication complicated by health issues, and Johnson, 30, in January of diabetic-related complications, according to the county coroner.

Corey Ian Haim was born in Toronto in 1971. His first film was "Firstborn'' in 1984. Roles followed in "Murphy's Romance'' and "Silver Bullet'' in 1985, "Lucas'' in 1986 and "The Lost Boys'' in 1987.

Haim struggled with drug problems but in recent years had attempted a comeback, starring in an A&E Network reality show "The Two Coreys" with longtime friend and costar Corey Feldman.

Times TV critic Robert Lloyd described the show this way:

"The premise seems to be this: Corey [Feldman] and his wife, Susie, have welcomed Corey [Haim] into their home in order to make a television show about, um, welcoming Corey Haim into their home.... This arrangement supposedly has something to do with helping Corey H. get his career/life back on track -- clearly we're to regard him, and with some cause, as the more troubled of the two."

-- Andrew Blankstein in the San Fernando Valley

Earlier post: Actor Corey Haim dead at 38

Related: Corey Haim: Life in Pictures

Photos:Corey Haim as Sam Emerson and Jason Patric as Michael Emerson in the 1987 film "The Lost Boys." (Photo by Jane O'neal/Warner Bros./Getty Images);  Actor Corey Haim arrives at the 3rd Annual Avant Garde Fashion Show at Boulevard3 on March 19, 2009 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images)

Comments

[joie resnick]

Another sad drug addict, Maybe we should make it ILLEGAL for kids to act before a certain age

[Peej]

Its realy sad more is not done to help x chid actors on an emotional level,
Rather than trying to start thier so called careers. Peej

[jc]

bummer for him.. sad to see what Hollywood can do to people!

[BeautyQueen]

Why is it when a child or adult star OD's it's blamed on the evils of "what Hollywood can do to them?" I think a sufficient number of suicides, including those by drug overdose, occur in ALL communities (film and otherwise) to relieve Hollywood of blame... The blame lies with the person who decided to take drugs in the first place. Perhaps if there were less hand holding and more personal accountability, there would be less drug use? The only thing that assigning blame elsewhere does is to give the drug user an excuse, rather than forcing him/her to look inside for answers and, hopefully, change.

[Michelle from Illinois]

I'm so sad to hear that he passed away. I love his movies & loved the show "The Two Corey's." It was sad how the show ended, and I was hoping that they would film another season after the two Corey's resolved their differences. I hope they made peace with eachother behind the scenes, at least. He seemed like a good guy, just with a bad habit. He will be missed.

[Alex Datig]

It is always incredibly sad to see someone die so young at the hands of drugs. I feel sad for Corey's loved ones. People just don't think it is any of their business in interfere with a drug addict just because the addict says "things are under control." Coery was in and out of rehab 17 times. He clearly had no control over his addiction and no true will to stop hurting himself with drugs.

Once again we watch as a known drug addict faced the end of the road with no one to stop him. This is not acceptable.

[Alex Datig]

It is always incredibly sad to see someone die so young at the hands of drugs. I feel sad for Corey's loved ones. People just don't think it is any of their business in interfere with a drug addict just because the addict says "things are under control." Corey was in and out of rehab 17 times. He clearly had no control over his addiction and no true will to stop hurting himself with drugs.

Once again we watch as a known drug addict faced the end of the road with no one to stop him. This is not acceptable.

[Chauncey]

R.i.p. Haimster

You were loved and
you'll be missed.

[kuruc]

corey started out on doctor prescribed medical marijuana.

[K.E.]

I feel sad for his mom - what a shock to find your son in such a state.

The problem with acting is that you have so much down time between projects, even when you work regularly. It's easy to end up partying too much - not to mention taking depressants when stressed - if you lack much direction, self-esteem, or self-discipline.

I'm glad at least he still had his friendship with Corey Feldman. Best friends are so key.

Maybe more actors should take psych classes between gigs (maybe at local community colleges or something), along with their usual acting classes. Then they might recognize the pitfalls inherent in the biz - and a little psych never hurts character development - on-screen & off.

[Paul]

I think that some blame has to be placed on Hollywood, because the folks there are the ones that make or break someone's career in the movie industry. The kids that start their careers there probably have very little to no supervision from the adults that are working with them on the set. However, the blame also has to be placed on the person who made the (not so wise) decision to explore with drugs, they're kids, they've got plenty of money to buy whatever they want from 'Joe Schmoe'; and the parents of these former-child actors, where were they when their kid(s) was working on the set?, -you have to question their parenting as well, because I don't believe these actors drove themselves to the set when they were kids working for some big Hollywood movie.

[Brad]

Rest in Peace Corey....you will be remebered for all the fun movies you made and all the joy you brought my generation!! Silver Bullet...Lost Boys...Lucas...all classics.

[Eve]

Very sad. I always thought he was such a cute and talented kid. I loved him in Lost Boys.

[Jules]

I sold him a car in the 80's ... He was so high he almost left without it. I had to remind him to drive away with it.

[gl21]

better to wait until we find out what drugs were involved before you conclude he committed suicide.

as long as some drugs are illegal, the buyer will never know the actual potency of what he just bought. this has caused many accidental overdoses (such as from heroin).

[PJ Taup]

It’s a shame. This is a serious issue and disease in the entertainment industry and is a big part of the life style of fame, drugs and money. I think the Agents for these stars should be more responsible for their clients by encouraging regular drug testing, and help them attend drug rehab and clinics. I watched a recent celebrity reality show on TV and was impressed by the progress of the celebrities on it. Even Dennis Rodman in the end admitted he had an alcoholic problem.
If nothing is done about it and continues to be ignored then we will see more and more of these young celebrities dying on OD. Fame, money and drugs are a bad mix with our superstars. They need to be educated on how to handle their instant fame and money. They have so much in material things but are the most miserable people in the world. Most of them die lonely and very unhappy.

[patricia]

rest in peace my sweet corey

[rotten ron]

A previous story stated, " This morning at about 1:30...Corey Haim's mom found him. He got up out of bed and had been feeling ill for the last couple of days. As he got out of bed, he felt a little weak and went down to the floor on his knees. He's had flu-like symptoms. She called paramedics. They responded and transported him to the hospital where he was pronounced [dead] at 2:15 this morning," Winter said.

"The Los Angeles County Coroner's office confirmed the actor died at 2:15 AM on Wednesday at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Burbank, Calif..

[Studio Teacher]

As a studio teacher (and on-set teacher to child actors/child welfare worker), I have to stick up for child actors. Most of the children I've worked with are very bright, smart, mature, and responsible kids. And contrary to popular belief, the majority of the parents of child actors are wonderful people; these kids WANT to act and aren't being forced. Also, these kids are almost OVERLY supervised on set. There are very strict rules as to what they can be exposed to.

Former Child Star tragedies become sensationalized, but the majority of child actors do not end up like this and have very normal adult lives.

You have to realize that the kinds of people that are already drawn to the pursuit of acting are likely to be the kinds of people who are willing to take more, well, reckless, chances in life already. A good actor has to be able to turn off the inhibitions that most of us abide by. It's this ability that drives many actors, both adult and child, to make decisions that are not always the best ones...not the industry of "Hollywood".

[Gustavo the Great`]

God - please take Corey now & let him be at peace.
I have no right to judge God - I'll leave that to You; "HE WITHOUT SIN, CAST THE FIRST STONE..."

Please remember that Corey was a human being with feelings and family and friends, so if you've nothing good to say, then keep it to yourself!!!

[Jennifer Laughon]

I am so upset Corey the two Coreys were the best Iam 33 so they were my life I loved them Iam so sad for Corey Feildman he rally tried on the show but I think Corey Haim was to far gone He Will Be Missed!!!!!!

[Kaia]

I was really sad to hear that Corey Haim has passed away. One of my favorite actors when I was child. I will always remember how Hot he was in Double 0 Kid.

[Shannon]

It's sad. You know, there are so many people who wanted to see Corey Haim succeed, to win the battle. It looked as though he was doing good. He was gaining weight and looking healthy. He was seen on recent interviews speaking in an articulate manner, smiling and joking around. Poor guy. We'll miss him dearly. Our condolenses go out to his family and true friends.

[MARK A.]

One need look no further than taking into consideration Corey Haim’s demise as yet another case study on the long string of casualties within the cottage industry known as the Hollywood Exploitation Factory of Lamentably Forgotten Young Stars. As best illustrated in the bitter and sardonic 1950 film “Sunset Boulevard,” this merely exemplifies the often merciless way the industry elevates one to star status, then spits you back out by having agents and publicists turn their backs on you thus resulting in the tens of thousands (if not millions) of your once adoring public give you “the brush” and finally consign you to status of a has-been. Incidentally, this may well be no different with the fates of Marilyn Monroe or even Michael Jackson, both of whom where clearly talented actors and artists, but have sadly suffered the wrath of their harshest critics and thus stripped of their tarnished talents and humanity towards the end.

Today, these same actors and actresses turn to recklessness through substance abuse as a way to either alleviate the shame, pain and insecurities of their illustrious past (are you listening, Ms. Lohan!) and thus suffer the consequence of such actions by gaining notoriety through tabloid fodder. Worse yet, these poor souls are sold with the last remaining ounces of humility to the cleverly disguised evil of career purgatory known as reality television.

In the end, people make choices through the cards they are dealt. A former young star like Drew Barrymore [fortunately] made some wise choices through the luck of the draw. Although she also kept a momentum going with even wiser choices through a vital combination of personal responsibility, intelligence, maturity and the support of others that has made her the success story she is today. Sadly for Corey Haim, he didn’t have such luck.

The film critic Roger Ebert has referred to Mr. Haim’s performance in the 1986 film “Lucas” as having created “…one of the most three-dimensional, complicated, interesting characters of any age in any recent movie.” That promise of potential faded all too quickly.

So rest in peace, Corey. There is still some of us here on earth who remember you fondly as a promising talent and the kid with that adorable dimpled smirk to match.

[Billy]

I would like to say that I really admire Corey Feldman and his wife Susie, for trying to help their friend Corey Haim.Most people would have told him to beat it a long time ago. Addiction is bad, but denial is even worse.The drugs had him and he knew it.I've seen it's evil face way too many times. Ten Years sober -Peace to his mother