Corey Feldman was a dominant child actor in 1980s , starring in numerous cult classics. However, like many young stars, his glittering success was mirrored by devastating lows offscreen. At times life for the actor mirrored a real-life horror movie during a rollercoaster career full of highs and lows.
The actor, who turns 53 years old today battled addiction, endured sexual abuse as a child, dated A-list celebrities and found solace in Neverland. Corey's career took off in the early 70s when he was just three years old, appearing in more than 100 commercials. "I was basically a slave child," he confessed to People magazine.
His domineering mother, a former waitress, kept him under strict control, often resorting to physical discipline to keep the young actor in check, he claimed. By his mid-teens, Corey had won emancipation from his parents after alleging they squandered (£780,000) of his earnings. After a slew of minor roles in TV commercials, Corey struck gold, landing a role in a blockbuster film.
The 12-year-old starred as Tommy Jarvis, the arch nemesis of slasher Jason Vorhees in 1984's Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter. Corey's career took off after landing a role that catapulted him into the limelight, quickly becoming one of Hollywood's most sought-after young actors. He starred in a string of iconic 80s films, including Gremlins, The Goonies, The Lost Boys and Stand By Me.
However, beneath the surface of his thriving career, something sinister was unfolding. In his.