Corey Feldman Biography Quotes 10 Report mistakes

Early Life and Entry into Acting

Corey Scott Feldman was born on July 16, 1971, in Los Angeles, California, and grew up in the San Fernando Valley at a time when Hollywood casting offices were busy seeking photogenic, precocious children. Introduced to show business before kindergarten, he began booking commercials and television guest spots in rapid succession. By grade school he had racked up dozens of on-screen credits, developing a comfort with cameras that would define his adolescence. He also moved into voice work, including a role in the animated feature The Fox and the Hound, which broadened his range and made him a recognizable name among casting directors looking for youthful energy with professional poise.

As a working child actor, Feldman learned early how to navigate sets and press attention, but he also encountered the systemic pressures that often accompany young stardom. The experience would later lead him to speak publicly about the vulnerabilities of child performers and the need for stronger protections. Even in these formative years, he demonstrated a sharp comedic timing and a willingness to take on edgier material, qualities that would propel his swift transition into feature films.

Breakthrough and 1980s Stardom

Feldman's breakthrough arrived in the mid-1980s as he moved from television to a string of high-profile movies that defined the decade's youth culture. He appeared in Gremlins, then secured a signature role as Mouth in The Goonies, directed by Richard Donner and produced by Steven Spielberg. The film's ensemble, which included Sean Astin, Josh Brolin, and Martha Plimpton, became emblematic of a new wave of teen adventures. Feldman's wisecracking delivery and street-smart persona made him a standout.

He then took a dramatic turn in Stand by Me, Rob Reiner's adaptation of a Stephen King novella. As Teddy Duchamp, acting opposite River Phoenix, Wil Wheaton, and Jerry O'Connell, Feldman brought a raw intensity to a story about friendship and trauma that resonated far beyond its era. The role underscored his ability to carry both comedic and dramatic material, and it led to more mature parts.

The late 1980s cemented his status as a teen icon. In Joel Schumacher's The Lost Boys, he played vampire hunter Edgar Frog, teaming with Corey Haim, Jason Patric, Kiefer Sutherland, and Jami Gertz in a stylish, era-defining horror film. He followed with projects like License to Drive alongside Haim and a comedic turn in Joe Dante's The 'Burbs opposite Tom Hanks. By the end of the decade, Feldman was not only prolific but also closely associated with the pop-culture imagination of the 1980s.

The Two Coreys and On-Screen Partnership

Feldman's friendship and collaboration with Corey Haim became both a professional brand and a personal anchor. Marketed as The Two Coreys, they co-starred in films such as License to Drive and Dream a Little Dream, tapping into a shared chemistry that studios found bankable. The partnership brought them significant attention and a dedicated fan base. Behind the scenes, however, both young actors contended with the pressures of fame, the grind of constant public scrutiny, and personal struggles that were often magnified by tabloid culture.

Their bond endured ups and downs, moving from cinematic triumphs to years marked by career uncertainty and personal challenges. Decades later they reunited for the reality series The Two Coreys, which explored their complicated friendship and the lingering effects of their early fame. Feldman often spoke of Haim's talent and sensitivity, keeping their shared legacy alive in interviews and later projects.

Voice Work and Genre Roles

Alongside live-action success, Feldman made a notable mark in voice acting. He voiced Donatello in the first Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles feature and returned to the role in a later installment, connecting with a new generation of fans. The blend of genre films and animation allowed him to remain visible as the Hollywood landscape shifted in the 1990s, and it highlighted his versatility across mediums.

Transition, Challenges, and Reinvention

The early 1990s brought a more turbulent period. Feldman, like many former child stars, faced the difficult passage into adult roles. He has spoken candidly about personal struggles, including addiction, and legal and financial issues that often trace back to the unique pressures of growing up in the industry. Determined to regain autonomy, he sought emancipation as a teenager and worked to take control of his finances and career choices, a decision that reflected both the hard lessons of his early years and a desire for creative independence.

Even during challenging stretches, he kept working. He tried his hand at directing with the indie film Busted, and he continued to appear in genre projects, independent features, and television. He later returned to his Lost Boys persona as Edgar Frog in follow-up films, giving long-time fans a nostalgic connection while presenting a self-aware take on one of his most recognized characters.

Music and Performance Persona

Feldman's parallel passion for music became more prominent as he matured. Influenced by his friendship with Michael Jackson, he developed a stage act that fused pop, rock, and dance. He released albums such as Love Left and, years later, Angelic 2 the Core, performing live with a rotating group of musicians branded as Corey's Angels. His performances, including a widely discussed appearance on the Today show, drew intense attention and debate, and he embraced the controversy as part of an evolving, performance-art sensibility. Music offered him creative latitude and a direct channel to fans, even as critical reactions varied.

Reality Television and Public Persona

Feldman's visibility surged again through reality television. The Two Coreys allowed audiences to see him and Corey Haim navigating adulthood, friendship, and sobriety under the glare of cameras. Earlier, he had appeared on ensemble reality series that presented former teen stars in unguarded settings, which helped reframe public perceptions. The shows exposed painful chapters while granting Feldman a platform to assert agency over his narrative, address misconceptions, and demonstrate commitment to personal growth.

Advocacy, Memoir, and Speaking Out

Over time, Feldman became one of the most outspoken advocates for the protection of children in entertainment. He has described abusive dynamics he encountered as a young performer and has called for reforms to enhance safety, accountability, and transparency in Hollywood. His memoir, Coreyography, offered a deeply personal account of his career's rise and the darker currents beneath it. He later produced a documentary project focused on his and Corey Haim's experiences, using his profile to push conversations about prevention, reporting, and survivor support. While aspects of his advocacy drew controversy and intense media scrutiny, Feldman consistently maintained that telling his story might help others avoid similar harm.

Later Career and Ongoing Work

In the 2000s and 2010s, Feldman continued to balance acting, music, and public engagement. He embraced cult cinema, reunited with former collaborators for special events, and maintained a presence at fan conventions where The Goonies, Stand by Me, The Lost Boys, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles remained perennial favorites. He appeared on talk shows and podcasts, sometimes polarizing audiences but always reaffirming his belief in artistic self-determination. As social media became central to celebrity culture, he used it to communicate directly with supporters and promote tours, releases, and advocacy initiatives.

Personal Life

Feldman's personal life unfolded in public view. He married actress Vanessa Marcil when both were very young; the union ended several years later. In 2002, he married Susie Sprague, known to audiences from their reality show appearances; they welcomed a son, Zen Scott Feldman, before later divorcing. In 2016, he married model Courtney Anne Mitchell, who also participated in his musical endeavors and live performances. These relationships, and the friendships that sustained him through highs and lows, have often been part of his public narrative, reinforcing how intertwined his life and career have been with the people around him.

A longstanding friendship with Michael Jackson influenced Feldman's style and stagecraft, and he has spoken at length about Jackson's impact on him as a performer. His work with directors like Richard Donner, Rob Reiner, Joe Dante, and Joel Schumacher, and with co-stars including River Phoenix, Wil Wheaton, Jerry O'Connell, Sean Astin, Josh Brolin, Kiefer Sutherland, Jason Patric, Heather Graham, and Meredith Salenger, maps a network of collaborators who helped shape some of the most memorable youth-oriented films of the 1980s.

Legacy and Influence

Corey Feldman's legacy is deeply woven into the popular culture of his generation. His portrayals of wisecracking, tough-but-sensitive boys were central to films that remain staples of American cinema. The characters he helped define continue to resonate with audiences who revisit The Goonies, Stand by Me, and The Lost Boys for their blend of humor, heart, and youthful rebellion. Just as significant is the cautionary dimension of his story: a candid account of how early success can coexist with exploitation, and how survival can mean reinventing oneself repeatedly.

By persisting as an actor, embracing music, and speaking out about the vulnerabilities of child performers, Feldman transformed a career that could have been frozen in nostalgia into an ongoing, often challenging dialogue with the public. Whether engaging fans at conventions, reviving beloved roles, or taking the stage with his band, he remains a visible figure whose experiences continue to inform debates about child stardom, artistic control, and the responsibilities of the entertainment industry.