Former ‘Lost Boy’ Loses Life at 38

William Mann, a Sargent from the LAPD said: ‘He could have succumbed to whatever illness he had or it could have been drugs. Who knows?  He has had a drug problem in the past.’

“I was awakened at 8:30 this morning by my brother and sister knocking on my bedroom door. They informed me of the loss of my brother Corey Haim. My eyes weren’t even open all the way when the tears started streaming down my face. I am so sorry for Corey, his mother Judy, his family, my family, all of our fans, and of course my son who I will have to find a way to explain this to when he gets home from school.

This is a tragic loss of a wonderful, beautiful, tormented soul, who will always be my brother, family, and best friend. We must all take this as a lesson in how we treat the people we share this world with while they are still here to make a difference. Please respect our families as we struggle and grieve through this difficult time. I hope the art Corey has left behind will be remembered as the passion of that for which he truly lived.”

Victoria Beckham is said to be shocked and saddened but the news,  she and Corey were once dated,  although they’d not seen each other for many years.  Other actors paying the fallen star tributes include Ashton Kutcher who said that Haim was a ‘childhood hero’   Ralph Macchino “Its always so sad and disturbing when the addiction and demons prevail,  RIP Corey Haim”

Todd Bridges another child star of the 80’s said “Corey Haim was a good friend of mine and he will be missed. Too many people are dying way too young and it’s sad because of the loved ones who are left behind to understand what happened and to feel the loss. I hope he’s in a better place. I will always love my Brother, and I will never judge him. I understand his pain, but I also know now there is a way out. I hope anyone who is dealing with the same stuff gets out before it’s too late. Don’t let the death of others fool you into thinking that it cannot happen to you. If you play with fire, you will get burned.”

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© 2010 Copyright Jason Shaw

Where are Hollywood’s Gay Men?

From Times Online:

Colin Firth has been nominated for an Academy Award for playing a gay man in A Single Man. But gay actors still hide

“I think it needs to be addressed and I feel complicit in the problem. I don’t mean to be. I think we should all be allowed to play whoever, but I think there are still some invisible boundaries which are uncrossable.”

Actors are forever lauded for their “bravery”, but when it comes to gay rights (and wrongs), Hollywood is streaked with cowardice, prejudice, self-interest and hypocrisy. This supposed hotbed of creativity and licentiousness is weirdly sexually conservative and behind the times.

Rupert Everett, Firth’s co-star in Another Country and a leading man-in-waiting until he came out, recently advised gay actors not to do the same. His career had been impeded by his honesty, he believes — although his life is freer as a result.

More here!

Celebs Team Up with Artist Shepard Fairey for Marriage Equality

From SheWired:

Shepard Fairey, partnering with LGBT grassroots organization FAIR, debuted a selection of the 100 celebrity-customized Defend Equality Love Unites posters designed to raise awareness — and funds — for the fight for marriage equality.

Thursday night’s event featured the redesigned creations from the likes of Tegan Quin, Virginia Madsen, Dustin Lance Black (Milk), Matt Groening, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Renee Zellweger and many more on display at the Andaz in West Hollywood.

More here!

Homophobia Still Running Rampant in Hollywood

This isn’t really shocking, yet it does catch me by surprise just a bit.  According to a post on LA Weekly Blogs:

At Outfest on Sunday afternoon, three-time Emmy winning and openly gay director Todd Holland told a small audience that he advises young, gay male actors to “stay in the closet.” The remark came during a panel at the Directors Guild of America titled, “Taking It to the Streets: LGBT Directors Get Political.” Outfest, which pushes the slogan “protecting our past, showcasing our present, nurturing our future,” is one of the premiere gay and lesbian film festivals in the United States.

Director Todd Holland

Holland, who was talking as one of the featured panelists, and who once worked as a director on the critically acclaimed HBO sit-com The Larry Sanders Show, explained that it’s a necessary career choice if a gay actor wants to succeed in Hollywood.

The Village People Get Hollywood Star

The Village People, the 1970s pop sensation who brought us anthems such as YMCA, In The Navy and Macho Man, was in full attendance for a star-studded event in Hollywood on Friday, as the members of the group received their star on Hollywood’s walk of fame.

“If this were the Academy Awards, the orchestra music would be welling up right now,” said Hodo, one of the group’s original members.

Even some 30 plus years later, the band still performs live.

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