It’s only March, and Corey Haim is the third Former Child Star to die this year… I’m sitting at the office, trying not to openly cry at the thought of yet another great child actor who was simply used up and cast into the wind.
I’m not sure who to blame for all the pint size stars who end up struggling as adults. Is it the studios, the agents, the parents? Who was supposed to be taking care of these people, protecting them, making sure they were raised right? It seems as if the only child stars who turned out OK were the ones in John Hughes movies. He obviously treated those kids with respect and took care of them. All the others were just used up while they were cute and then tossed aside.
The hardest part about being a kid actor is you’re expected to work like an adult, behave like an adult, but still be cute like a kid. People get greedy. They are in charge of you. They don’t always do what’s in your best interest. Thankfully, these days in America, there’s some safeguards put into place to at least protect kids money, although there are ways around it. But when you’re a kid and you’ve got a tonne of money and then it’s all gone, it’s hard to go out and get a real job. Someone like Corey Haim or Macaulay Culkin can’t just go down to the local McDonald’s and get a minimum wage job. Well, they could. If they’d get hired. But then when you do get hired, it’s for the freak factor. But, after a while, the boss gets mad, because while you’re busy signing autographs, nobody is flipping those burgers. So then the boss gets mad and fires you. So now you can’t even keep a minimum wage job. No wonder some of those Former Child Stars turned to porn….
I hope no other Former Child Stars die this year. It’s making me nervous…. How many of us are going to just wind up as some byline about the trappings of fame as a youngster. Maybe more people should be working out what to do to help these kids, instead of just writing about them after they’re dead.
RIP Corey. You will be missed.
Hi Sarah, yes it all comes down to who is caring for ( not just showbiz kids) the kids of the world today. Not much has changed ……I read your article in The Womans Day……it has left us all wondering who the person was that did it to you? Do other cast members know of this or will they be shocked on reading your allegations? I really wish you all the very best and it is fantastic to hear that you are happy, but do you realize now that all the male cast members will be looked at with a question of “is it him?”…and that’s really an unfair burden to place on the innocent dont you think? I hope that by revealing in a womans magazine you have released the weight of your secret…and I also hope that you have or will have received some sort of councilling as no child should have to go through the stress of having to deal with abuse. Take care Sarah.x
Your poignant post made me cry Sarah 🙁
I completely agree with you (even though I haven’t had any experience of being a child star myself :P) – it just seems kids are used up when they’re cute & adorable, then cast aside when they grow up, speak out or try to evolve.
Don’t worry – I KNOW you’ve a stronger spirit, much love & support and a mature mind not to ever end up the same way.
Love TJ xxx
Its hard to believe someone you have cherished over all the years could have been treated in such a way. We, the public, the fans and the critics are quick to forget that the beautiful facade we see on screen is just that. A facade! A character or an Avatar belonging to a real human being whom behind the scenes has real issues akin to everyone else. And of course the reason we cant see past that facia is partly due to the talent of the performer and partly due to our own ignorance, as we turn to film as an escape from our own reality.
I agree with you whole heartedly Sarah, someone should step up. But before this can happen their must be an awakening.
You were my first crush, and Corey was my first Idol…… although it pains me that Corey has now left us, I also feel a little elated to find that you grew up to be what seems such a beautiful, well adjusted woman. I’m happy that you have opened up about your harsh experience as a child (of which I can relate to) and sincerely hope that severing that ball and chain will help you advance even further. Whether or not the perpetrator remains un-named is unimportant. Karma always finds a way.
All the best for the future.
Love Jason and Family
Perth, Western Australia
Errrmmm…… can you just clarify one point. Which child stars have turned to porn ?
Why is the Corey Haim not held accountable for his actions as an adult? Sorry, but he didn’t OD as a child, he OD’s as an adult. An adult aware of all of the risks and dangers with drug use. I don’t really see why the parents/agents etc have a finger pointed at them. I was never a “child star” (which by the way, is a lucky opportunity not something to whinge about) , but like every other teenager or adult, have the choice to a) dabble in drugs or b) not dabble in drugs. I don’t think the focus of your blog should be on “child stars” but on drug use.
I’m so sorry you went through the abuse 🙁
thinking of you Sarah <3
much love
xoxox
Hayley
Hello Sarah – Firstly let me say this – I do not condone the very bad and innapropriate behaviour of anyone harrassing, in any form, a child or an adult. I have just watched A Current Affair, here in Sydney, and I cant help but feel a bit peeved by you. Why would you not go to the authorities? Why would a woman’s magazine be your first choice of attempting to sort out a situation from so many years ago? Why not go to the police instead? You’ve accused someone of such a serious crime. I am peeved that you would bring up such serious allegations and put all males from that cast and crew under a cloud now because you refuse to name names. I understand that legally, you wouldnt probably be able to do this, however, now look what has happened!! I am now wondering, was it the brother? Was it the Nudge? Was it the camera guy? Was it the Dad? Do you realise what you are putting the innocent people through?? I am wondering how much you were paid to give your story and I am wondering how ironic it is that it has coincided with this new blog and your obvious attempt to push your business ventures. Unless you take this matter to the authorities and actually make it known you are going through the correct channels then seriously Sarah, your credability is up for question. I am not saying I don’t believe you, but i think the way you have handled this shows no class and whoever advised you to handle it this way was wrong. It all just looks like some sick publicity stunt to me… and to probably the rest of the country.
Hello (again)
This is my second attempt – it seems that ‘someone’decided to delete my last message – despite the fact that I was polite – i was simply stating a fact – this blog is not the only site available to comment on such a story… infact… the other sites will be far more accepting of letting people have their say… unlike this site which is obviously proof that this is all some beef up to further a flagging career.
PS: I thought you were a little upstart when you were younger – it seems I was right.
Hey I just read that Robert Hughes was arrested today for sexual abuse . Apparently he was living in Asia. Funny how Rock Spiders all find their way to Asia at some stage or another.
I only wished that you would have come forward sooner Sarah….there could have been others that he has hurt since . When these things happen. I wish people would come forward and speak up sooner . I know its hard when your a child to speak your mind but as you grow up you have to find your voice earlier rather than later. Its been a long time since it happened to you and he has met probably a lot of other children since then.
SPEAK UP EVERYONE, STAND UP AND BE HEARD!!!
Keep up the fight Sarah – it might be a long road to get there….but…send him to jail for the rest of his life if possible.!!!!
Judy Winslow from Family Matters and Dustin Diamond from Saved by the Bell are two off the top of my head.