LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Corey Haim, a Hollywood teen star of the 1980s who became as famous for his struggles with substance abuse as his acting, died in Los Angeles of an apparent prescription drug overdose. He was 38.
Canadian-born Haim, who rose to fame alongside fellow teen star Corey Feldman, was pronounced dead at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center early on Wednesday, police said.
"It was an apparent overdose," said Sergeant Frank Albarren of the Los Angeles Police Department's North Hollywood Station, adding the "type of medication" was unknown.
Ed Winter, assistant chief of the Los Angeles County coroner's office, told local television reporters Haim had been suffering flu-like symptoms and that his mother, who lived with the actor, found him distressed in the early morning hours and called paramedics who took him to the hospital.
He said coroners found some prescription medication in Haim's apartment but "no illicit drugs."
"There doesn't appear to be foul play," Winter said.
Haim first came to prominence in the 1986 movie "Lucas" alongside Charlie Sheen and Winona Ryder. Then came his biggest hit, "The Lost Boys" with Kiefer Sutherland, Jason Patric and Feldman, as well as "License to Drive," also with Feldman.
Haim became known for his on-screen partnership and off-screen friendship with Feldman, who also struggled with drug abuse.
They often were called "The Two Coreys" and the pair even starred in a reality TV series of the same name on U.S. cable television in 2006 but it was canceled before finishing the second season.
After battling a drug habit for years, Haim openly talked about overcoming his addictions around the time he was promoting his reality TV series and said that he had become clean and sober.
(Reporting by Christine Kearney; Editing by John O'Callaghan)
