Teen star Corey Haim was found dead this week, from a drug overdose. The death appears to be accidental, according to TIME, but it doesn’t make it any less tragic. Just days after the Oscar’s tribute to John Hughes, the director known for his teen-riddled movies of the 80s and 90s, the world loses one of those stars that was once famous for the iconic films.
But what will Haim actually be remembered for? His battle with drug addiction started relatively early in his career, taking him from the top of his game to the rock bottom. After a while, Haim was known more for his drug addictions than his famed movie roles, relegating him to tabloid news and straight-to-video films.
So when Haim landed himself a new gig on A&E with fellow actor colleague Corey Feldman, things were beginning to look up for Haim. The reality show, aptly titled The Two Coreys, focused on Feldman’s being on the straight and narrow, with Haim being prodded into a recovery program. How ironic, then, that his death happened when it did.
Then again, were it not for the irony of Hollywood deaths, we would not find them quite as noteworthy. With all that’s been going on these past two years, from Michael Jackson to Heath Ledger and Britney Murphy, it seems like celebrities are racing to their graves. In the previous two years we’ve witnessed several celebrity deaths, many of which were not even related to drug use. When a celebrity dies, we have a tendency to reflect on their life and assess their achievements. That reflection makes a lasting impression on how we consider that celebrity from then on, merely adding to the tragedy of their always untimely demise.
What would a Hollywood death be without Hollywood? And what would a drug-related death be without a celebrity? The sad truth is that celebrities are given the opportunity to indulge in dangerous behavior, and the downward spiral that results is a quite common tale for the Hollywood scene. Yet with the current generation of reality television, we’re pushing Hollywood in an entirely new direction.
The Two Coreys, Breaking Bonaduce, Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew… celebrities are being given second and third chances at reliving their glory days by playing the part of their own lives. Are we really helping the celebrities by highlighting their drug battle, or are we capitalizing on their dire situation? What are the real incentives behind making celebrity drug use a focal point, and do they merely reinforce their drug use for the purpose of returning back to the small screen?
Haim’s death reminds us of the destructive nature of certain Hollywood success, as well as the woes of having that success (and subsequent failure) play out for the entire world to see. It’s a difficult scene to watch, from any perspective.
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