Carrie Fisher tried to save Corey Feldman from drug addiction

It seems we have yet another reason to look back with immense respect, admiration and fondness for the late, great Carrie Fisher.

Carrie Fisher and Corey Feldman in 1996 (Credit: Jim Smeal/WireImage)
Carrie Fisher and Corey Feldman in 1996 (Credit: Jim Smeal/WireImage)

Corey Feldman – former child actor, recovered drug addict and Fisher’s co-star in 1989 black comedy ‘The Burbs’ – has spoken of how the sadly missed actress recognised the signs of his future substance abuse problems, and tried to help him.

The 45-year old tells People that he had a wonderful experience working with Fisher on the film from director Joe Dante, which starred Tom Hanks in the lead.

“She was just very supportive and very positive and sweet. Every minute on the set with her was a pure joy, honestly… We never had an argument; we never had an awkward moment.”

Even so, the film came at a time when Feldman was starting on something of a downward spiral personally, and Fisher – who had herself battled cocaine addiction and depression – could sense where her young co-star was headed.

'The Burbs' (credit: Universal)
‘The Burbs’ (credit: Universal)

“I was not at the best point in my life and I was about to go off the deep end to the dark side right before I became a heroin addict, and she saw it coming. She saw the darkness that was growing in me, but I didn’t understand it at that point. I didn’t know what was coming.

“Carrie looked into my eyes and saw the pain and recognized it. She said to me, ‘Honey, I got to tell ya, this is your bail out. This is your chance to become clean and I can help you. Or you can be in denial and you’re going to go down this long, hard road.’

“At the time, I was like, ‘I have no idea what you’re talking about, but I really appreciate that you’re reaching out and you’re sweet, but I’m fine.’ And I believed I was fine… Sure enough, a year later, I tried heroin for the first time and became an addict.”

Feldman – whose close friend and collaborator Corey Haim died of pneumonia in 2010 after struggling with addiction for many years – expresses regret that he and Fisher did not catch up again in recent years.

“We did have a nice back and forth friendship, but unfortunately we never reconnected in the past decade, which is sad. I would have loved to have said goodbye.

“You just never know. It’s one of those things where we all really need to take notice and appreciate the people in our lives.”

Fisher’s mother Debbie Reynolds died the day after her daughter, and the two are due to be given a joint funeral.

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