Child Stars: Why Do They Die So Young?
Child Stars: Why Do They Die So Young?WIBW Blog Listing
Child Stars: Why Do They Die So Young?
Topic Author: Ralph Hipp
Posted: 11:12 PM Mar 10, 2010
Replies Posted: 7 comments
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By Ralph Hipp

Corey Haim.  Best known for his role in "The Lost Boys," but he also turned in memorable performances in "Lucas" and "License to Drive."

He's dead now.. at 38.  And this one does not appear to be a drug overdose.

If you saw another television series of his, "My Two Coreys," you would have watched a deeply troubled young man in the run of that reality show.  Corey Haim was extremely distraught about his inability to jump start his film career as he entered his 30s.  He weighed too much, had trouble seeing, and offered sad descriptions about losing his money, and losing his fight to stop using cocaine and painkillers.

Sadly, you can now add Corey Haim to a long list of child television and film stars who just can't seem to keep it together after their series and films have "wrapped."  Add him to the list including Andrew Koenig of "Growing Pains," found dead in Vancouver's Stanley Park around Olympics time.  Some of them survive.  Like MacKenzie Phillips of "One Day at a Time," but you already know about the strange sexual relationship she had with her father.  Then there's Gary Coleman, "Arnold" of "Diff'rent Strokes" who recently suffered a seizure on the set with Dr. Drew Pinsky, who treated Coleman for his recurring problem.  Coleman also has a dangerous recurring problem of beating up and threatening women.

Expressions of grief about Haim came from Alyssa Milano of "Who's the Boss?" and "Charmed."  A young woman who appears to have a strong grip on continuing her career.  She joined stars like "Karate Kid" Ralph Macchio and "Married With Children's" Christina Applegate, who talked about the loss of Corey Haim in their tweets on Twitter Wednesday.

"So sad," says Christina.

Is this really something we chalk up to being just one of those things when kids go Hollywood?  Please share your thoughts with us about his loss, and your opinions on why child stars who entertained us when we were young.. seem doomed to die much younger than most of us.   Ralph

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  • by jason Location: new jersey on Mar 22, 2010 at 02:10 PM
    i feel that child stars are used up by the industry. agents and sometimes even parents run their careers into the ground to bring in every dime they can with no regard for the child. in the end you end up with an adult who never grew up and whose career potential has been drained.
  • by GOOGLE,KANSAS~LOL on Mar 19, 2010 at 10:35 AM
    ITS STUPID,THEY ARE YOUNG AND DUMB,HAVE NO DIRECTION,THEY THINK DRUGS AND DRINKING ARE KEWL BECAUSE THEY ARE FOOLS! NO DIRECTION,THE PARENTS DIDNT GIVE THEM A RIGHT DIRECTION,THEY LET FAME GO TO THEIR HEADS AND THEY THINK THEY CAN GET AWAY WITH EVERYTHING AND THEY DO,THEY DO DUMB THINGS AND DIE! THEY CHOOSE THE LIFE THEY BUILD,NO RESPECT FOR THEMSELVES! IHAVE NO PITTY FOR IDIOTS!
  • by Alex Location: Lawrence on Mar 13, 2010 at 10:30 PM
    Everyone makes their own choices in life. Ron Howard who got attention as childhood TV character "Olpe Taylor" seems to have done pretty well for himself later in life.

    Ron Howard is an astounding man, and boy would I love to read a biography about him! Loved him on Andy Griffith and the Music Man, and what a film director! He's definitely an example on the other side. RH

  • by Mary Location: Topeka on Mar 12, 2010 at 05:22 AM
    I do not think it has nothing to do with being a TV actor, it was just his time to go. There are alot of people that die, people like Cory just get reconition because he was in the movies.
  • by Grace Location: Emporia on Mar 11, 2010 at 09:57 AM
    I think most of these child stars don't get a good grounding in reality. They're expectations are so inflated by early success, that they can't handle setbacks. They need to be taught coping mechanisms that don't involve drugs (legal or not) or violence. I have grounded my life through God and wonder if these people had any kind of relationship with God or not. Faith can get you through some pretty tough times. So can true friends that love you. Both have gotten me through some pretty awful situations. I'm the same age as Corey and it's so sad to think of how much more life he should have had left. What a waste! I hope he's in a better place and at peace now.

    Thanks for your faith message, and by the way, I love your name! rh

  • by Jan Location: Manhattan/Quilter on Mar 11, 2010 at 08:14 AM
    I believe they just can't cope with not being in the lime light. And I think it is sad. You have to wonder if there was enough parent support to help them when they were younger. I always feel very sad when this happens.

    Absolutely right, Jan. And I feel sorry for child actors whose parents push them so hard, they're using drugs just to get away from them, too. rh

  • by Teresa Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada on Mar 10, 2010 at 11:30 PM
    It is tragic. I think that when most children become celebrities, they do not have enough maturity to handle it, and often the parents, just think the fame is great and have no idea how not having a childhood affects a child. Child stars who have been successful either in leaving "hollywood" or keeping their careers going must have a strong mentor and constant guidance that is in their best interest, not the best interest of an agent, parent, or promoter.
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