Corey Feldman

Corey Feldman – Life, Career, and Some Hard Truths

A comprehensive look at Corey Feldman (born July 16, 1971): his early rise as an 80s teen star, the highs and lows of fame, his music and activism, the controversies he’s faced, and lessons from his life.

Introduction

Corey Feldman is an American actor, musician, and outspoken advocate known for both his early success as a child and teen actor and his later efforts to expose abuse in the entertainment industry.

His life story is one of extremes: meteoric rise, personal struggle, public controversies, and a drive to speak out. In this article, we’ll explore his biography, career arc, controversies, strengths and weaknesses, and what we can learn from his journey.

Early Life and Family

Corey Scott Feldman was born on July 16, 1971, in Reseda / Chatsworth, California. Bob Feldman, a musician (and later talent agency founder), and Sheila Feldman (née Goldstein), who worked as a cocktail waitress.

He is from a large family; he has siblings named Eden, Devin, Mindy, and Brittnie.

Feldman was raised in the Jewish faith and also developed interests in the paranormal.

From a very early age, he was immersed in show business: his first work was in a McDonald’s commercial when he was a toddler.

Feldman has claimed that, as a child actor, his parents exploited his earnings and that he suffered emotionally and physically; his mother has denied some of those claims.

Rise to Stardom & Career Highs

Breakthrough as a Child / Teen Actor (1980s)

In the 1980s, Feldman became one of Hollywood’s most recognizable young actors. Some of his notable works include:

• Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter (1984) – playing Tommy Jarvis

• Gremlins (1984)

• The Goonies (1985)

• Stand by Me (1986) – as Teddy Duchamp

• The Lost Boys (1987) – as Edgar Frog, co-starring with Corey Haim

His pairing with Corey Haim during this era led to the nickname “The Two Coreys”; they went on to star together in License to Drive (1988), Dream a Little Dream (1989), and later had a reality show about their relationship.

He also lent his voice to Donatello in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990) in its first live-action movie form.

During the peak of his fame, he won the Young Artist Award for The Lost Boys.

Transition, Struggles & Reinvention (1990s–2000s)

As Feldman entered adulthood, his career trajectory became more turbulent. Some points:

• He grappled with substance abuse, publicly admitting struggles with drugs and alcohol.

• He took roles in smaller films and television shows, and did voice work and reality TV.

• He launched his music career, releasing albums like Love Left (1992) and Former Child Actor (2002), and later Angelic 2 the Core (2016).

• He starred in The Two Coreys (2007–2008), a reality show about his friendship with Corey Haim that he also executive produced.

Later Years & Recent Controversies

In recent years, Feldman has become more vocal—and controversial—around abuse in Hollywood, particularly child sexual abuse. He has claimed that he and Corey Haim were abused as children in the industry and launched a documentary, My Truth: The Rape of 2 Coreys, to expose this.

He also created a music group called Corey’s Angels, which has faced criticism and legal allegations from former members claiming misconduct.

He has appeared on many reality & TV shows in recent years (e.g. Celebrity Wife Swap, Marriage Boot Camp, The Masked Singer).

In 2024–2025, he competed in Dancing with the Stars.

He has also publicly accused Johnny Depp of interfering with his casting opportunities, claiming Depp labeled him a “junkie” and cost him roles.

Personality, Strengths & Weaknesses

Strengths and Traits

• Resilience: Despite public struggles and criticism, Feldman has continued to work and maintain visibility.

• Boldness: He is not afraid to raise uncomfortable issues—sexual abuse in Hollywood, power dynamics, etc.

• Multi-disciplinary ambition: He didn’t limit himself to acting; he also pursued music, producing, and advocacy.

• Early talent & adaptability: To succeed as a child actor in a range of genres, and then attempt to shift into adult roles, requires versatility.

Weaknesses, Controversies & Challenges

• Public credibility issues: His claims (particularly regarding abuse, accusations, and associations) have often been met with skepticism or outright legal pushback.

• Personal turmoil: Substance struggles, legal conflicts, and relationship difficulties have punctuated much of his adult life.

• Controversial projects: Corey’s Angels in particular drew criticism from former members accusing him of sexual misconduct and control.

• Typecasting / career stagnation: Many of his adult roles have been minor, cameo, or in niche projects, rather than major Hollywood leads.

Selected Quotes & Reflections

“I was molested as a child in Hollywood.”
Feldman has made this claim publicly in interviews and his documentary My Truth.

“Let me be very clear: there was never anybody in Hollywood that asked for anything sexual from me other than sexual predators.”
(This is in his public statements around abuse; paraphrased from interviews)

These statements reflect his mission to shine light on abuse in the entertainment industry, though they are contentious and heavily debated.

Lessons & Takeaways

1. Speak your truth—but understand the cost
   Feldman’s activism has brought attention to important issues, but also backlash, skepticism, and legal challenges.

2. Longevity is not guaranteed
   Early fame does not guarantee continued success. Reinvention, strategy, and choices matter.

3. Power dynamics matter
   Fame, youth, and influence create vulnerability. His life shows how industry structures can harm as well as uplift.

4. Complex people, messy stories
   Feldman is neither purely victim nor pure villain; his life underscores that human stories often defy simple narratives.

5. The need for robust support systems
   For people—especially young ones—in demanding fields, mental health, legal protection, and accountability matter greatly.

Conclusion

Corey Feldman’s story is compelling, painful, and provocative. He is a man who once embodied the joyful promise of youth stardom, and later became a loud, divisive voice demanding justice and truth in a system built on secrecy.

Whether one fully believes all his claims or not, his life forces uncomfortable conversations about power, exploitation, fame, trauma, and what it means to survive.