Corey Haim
A 1980s teen film sensation whose bright smile and natural charm belied a turbulent, widely publicized personal struggle.
1971–2010 (age 39)·Canadian actor·Birthday: December 23·Generation X
Biography
Corey Haim's story is a quintessential, and tragic, chapter of Hollywood lore. He exploded onto screens as a fresh-faced adolescent with an effortless, goofy charm that made him an instant heartthrob. Films like 'Lucas', 'The Lost Boys'—where his performance as the vampire-hunting younger brother stole scenes—and 'License to Drive' cemented him as a box-office prince. Alongside his friend Corey Feldman, he defined an era of teen cinema. Yet, this rapid ascent occurred just as intensely under the glare of the media, which documented his subsequent battles with addiction and the pressures of fame. His later life became a public narrative about the dark side of child stardom, making his early, brilliant work a bittersweet legacy of potential and lost innocence.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Corey was born in 1971, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Corey Was Born
The biggest hits of 1971
#1 Movie
Fiddler on the Roof
Best Picture
The French Connection
#1 TV Show
Marcus Welby, M.D.
Corey's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1971Born
Voting age lowered to 18 in the US
Gas: $0.36/galHome: $18,100Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Joy to the World" — Three Dog NightBest Picture: The French Connection
1976Started school
Apple Computer founded; US bicentennial
Gas: $0.59/galHome: $29,300Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"Silly Love Songs" — WingsBest Picture: Rocky
1984Became a teenager
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1987Could drive
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1989Could vote
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1992Turned 21
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2001Turned 30
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2010Died at 39
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
Key Achievements
- Starred as Sam Emerson in the cult classic vampire film 'The Lost Boys', a defining role of the 1980s.
- Headlined the successful teen comedy 'License to Drive', which solidified his status as a major box-office draw for young audiences.
- Delivered a critically praised performance as the titular, socially awkward teen in the coming-of-age film 'Lucas'.
- Appeared in over 40 film and television roles, beginning his career as a child actor in the early 1980s.
Did You Know?
He and Corey Feldman were so popular they were collectively referred to as 'The Two Coreys'.
Haim was a huge fan of hockey and was a dedicated supporter of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
He had a small role in the first 'Nightmare on Elm Street' film as a child actor.
His middle name, Ian, is shared with his character in 'The Lost Boys'.
“The fame came so fast, I never learned how to just be a person.”
