Remembering Corey Haim

[rebecca_in_blue]

Corey Haim, the former teen idol of the '80s, died on March 10, 2010, at age 38, of an apparent accidental drug overdose. As the news spread, many of Haim's fellow former child stars took to Twitter to express their condolences.

• From Alyssa Milano, another teen idol of the '80s, who briefly dated Haim: "Just woke up to the sad, sad news that Corey Haim passed away. RIP sweet boy." 
• From Soleil Moon Frye, who at age 8 ruled NBC as the title character of Punky Brewster: "RIP Corey Haim. Nobody made listening to '80s music back in the day look so good... Save a dance for me up there."
• From Melissa Gilbert, who grew up on Little House on the Prairie: "Corey Corey Corey. You will be missed. May those who love you find peace knowing that there is no more torture for you... no more pain. My heart aches for your mother. Fly well, dear talented boy."
• From Tamera Mowry, the '90s teen star of Sister Sister: "RIP Corey Haim...you were my first crush!"
• From Melissa Joan Hart, the '90s teen star of Sabrina the Teenage Witch and Clarissa Explains It All: "No way! I just saw him last week at a Lupus event! RIP!"

Haim's death has cast a spotlight on the sadly familiar problems that so many former young stars face. His career stalled after he lost his teen heartthrob status, and he struggled with drug addiction for years; according to his close friend Corey Feldman, Haim died destitute and alone, without even a car to his name. Feldman has slammed Hollywood for its treatment of child stars after their star power fades: "In Hollywood, we build people up as children, we put them on pedestals, and then, when we decide they're not marketable anymore, we walk away from them. Then we taunt them and we tease them. Why is it okay to kick somebody when they're down? I don't think it should be tolerated anymore."

Haim's dilemma was an old one: Even Shirley Temple was very suddenly thrown out by Fox studios when she hit adolescence, and this after she gave them over twenty films in one decade and saved them from bankruptcy. People like to tout the child stars who grew up into successful, grounded adults, but for every Drew Barrymore, Fergie, or Maureen McCormick who conquers those demons, there is a River Phoenix, Jonathan Brandis, or Corey Haim who succumbs to them.