TORONTO — The mother of Canadian actor Corey Haim said Friday she is disappointed her son’s Hollywood friends and colleagues do not take the time to visit his grave near Toronto.
“I wish that some of his co-stars and people who worked with him in the past would go,” Judy Haim told Global News in an exclusive interview. “I’m sure a lot of these people know that his resting place is in Toronto. It would be nice if someone would visit him.”
The star of such ’80s films as The Lost Boys and License to Drive, Corey died in his mother’s arms on March 10, 2010. The coroner’s report indicated the 38-year-old died from “diffused alveolar damage, community acquired pneumonia, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with coronary arteriosclerosis.”
Referring to the flood of stars who attend the Toronto International Film Festival, Haim added: “Hollywood comes here once a year. I haven’t seen one note from any of them. It’s sad to me… for him.”
Haim said her son’s real-life friend and frequent co-star Corey Feldman — who didn’t attend his 2010 funeral — finally paid his respects in person this past summer. Feldman was en route to Niagara Falls in June to attend a Comic Con event when “he showed up at my house,” Haim recalled.
“I took him to the cemetery.”
Despite having made dozens of movies during his career, Corey’s name was left out of the “In Memoriam” segment at the Oscars, prompting his mother to tell People she was “hurt” and “numb.”
Today, the Toronto-born star’s mom remains bitter by the snub.
“My heart sank for my kid and for myself,” she added. “It’s not right, not fair.”
Haim’s feelings about the lack of recognition for Corey were made worse this summer following the overdose death of Canadian actor Cory Monteith in a Vancouver hotel room. Despite having starred in only one TV series and a handful of small movies, Monteith — who spoke about past battles with addiction but hid his habit from fans — was celebrated and honoured by other stars when he died and given a special tribute at the Emmy Awards.
“The difference is my kid wore his heart on his sleeve. He told everybody about his struggles,” Haim said of her son’s well-documented battles with addiction. “The truth doesn’t work well in Hollywood.”
Haim said she is sympathetic nonetheless. “My heart goes out to his family, because I know. I feel the pain and I’m so sorry for his loss.”
Nearly four years after Corey’s death, Haim said she still mourns.
“Since Corey passed away I can’t even breathe,” she said. “He went way too soon.”
SCROLL THROUGH TO SEE PHOTOS OF COREY HAIM’S FINAL RESTING PLACE:
Haim admitted her visits to Corey’s grave site at Pardes Shalom Cemetery in Vaughan, Ont. are not as frequent as they once were.
The late actor’s gravestone, which includes his nickname “Haimster” in the upper left corner, is engraved with: “You are a bright shining star that will live on for eternity. You will always be loved and forever be in our hearts. Peace.”
His mother said: “I wrote everything on it because I know that’s the way Corey would have wanted it.”
Two film projectors are also etched into the black granite in honour of Corey’s quarter-century acting career.
A nearby bench — a gift from a family friend in Los Angeles — includes a plaque that reads: “In loving memory of Corey Ian Haim. One of the most loving, giving and talented people that ever walked this earth. You will be missed.”
Haim said she is delighted that fans continue to visit the site and lay stones of all shapes and sizes on the grave — a Jewish custom.
Four stones, placed in a line, spell out “Why u.” One, painted with colourful insects, reads: “R.I.P. Haimster.”
“Fans make it a point to go there, which is incredible,” Haim said. “I don’t mind at all. I’m happy that people go. It’s amazing. It gives them closure, too.”
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