Sergey Diakov
Corey Feldman's story reads like a classic Hollywood tale with all its bright lights and dark corners. Most people remember him as the charismatic kid from their favorite 80s movies, but his journey through the entertainment industry tells a much deeper story about fame, fortune, and survival. Starting out as a tiny three-year-old in commercials, Feldman worked his way up to become one of the most recognizable teen actors of his generation. The money came fast and furious during those golden years, but so did the problems that often follow child stardom. Today, his financial situation looks dramatically different from those peak earning days, and he's been remarkably candid about why that happened and what he's learned along the way.
Early Career Earnings and First Steps in Hollywood
Feldman's entry into show business happened almost by accident when he landed a McDonald's commercial at just three years old back in 1974. His parents quickly realized they had a natural performer on their hands, and the work kept coming. By the time he hit seven, he was already bringing home paychecks from various TV spots and small roles. Those early years taught him the ropes of the industry before most kids even figured out what they wanted to be when they grew up. The late 70s and early 80s brought steady television work with appearances on shows like "Mork & Mindy" and "Eight Is Enough." Then 1984 hit, and everything changed. He scored major roles in both "Gremlins" and "Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter" in the same year, which suddenly made him hot property in Hollywood. Studios started paying attention, and so did his bank account. During this breakthrough period, he was pulling in somewhere between $50,000 and $100,000 per film, which was serious money for a teenager in the mid-80s.
The Peak Years: When Corey Feldman Net Worth Skyrocketed
The next few years turned Feldman into an absolute phenomenon. In 1986, he delivered what many consider his finest performance in "Stand By Me," a coming-of-age drama that critics loved and audiences couldn't get enough of. Then came 1987 and "The Lost Boys," the vampire flick that basically defined cool for an entire generation of teenagers. These weren't just successful movies—they were cultural events that made Feldman one of the most sought-after young actors in the business. His paychecks reflected that status, jumping to over $1 million per film during his absolute peak. He worked constantly, sometimes appearing in multiple movies each year, and his partnership with fellow actor Corey Haim created the "Two Coreys" phenomenon that studios marketed relentlessly. The money flowed in faster than most adults earn in a lifetime, and Feldman was still in his teens. This era represented the height of both his fame and his earning potential, with Corey Feldman net worth climbing into the millions.
The Decline and Where Things Stand Today
The 90s weren't kind to Feldman. The combination of personal struggles with addiction, legal troubles, and the notorious dark side of child stardom caught up with him hard. Major roles disappeared almost overnight, replaced by smaller independent films, straight-to-video releases, and reality TV appearances. The seven-figure paychecks became a distant memory. What makes his current situation even more striking is what happened to all that money he made as a kid. Feldman has been brutally honest about how his parents mismanaged his earnings, leaving him with almost nothing from those massive paychecks. The corey feldman net worth today sits around $1 million, which sounds decent until you realize he earned many times that amount during his youth. These days, he cobbles together income from various sources including small film projects, his music career performing with his band Corey's Angels, convention appearances where fans pay to meet their childhood hero, and the occasional acting gig that comes his way. He's also thrown himself into advocacy work, using his platform to speak out about the abuse he and others suffered in Hollywood.
Feldman's Philosophy: How to Survive and Actually Succeed
Through all the ups and downs, Feldman has developed some hard-earned wisdom about what really matters. His biggest belief centers on staying authentic no matter what. He learned that Hollywood constantly tries to reshape you into whatever sells at the moment, but losing yourself in that process costs way more than any paycheck is worth. He's become known for speaking uncomfortable truths about the industry, particularly regarding the abuse of child actors, even when it would be easier and more profitable to stay quiet. That courage to tell his story, however painful, has become central to his identity. Feldman also discovered that creative expression serves as genuine therapy. He channels his trauma and experiences into his music and film work, turning pain into something productive rather than letting it consume him. Another major lesson he preaches involves surrounding yourself with real people who see you as a human being, not just a commodity or a paycheck. Too many people in his life treated him as a resource to exploit, and he's learned to spot those types now. Finally, and perhaps most importantly given his own experience, Feldman advocates hard for financial literacy and protecting your assets. He wishes someone had taught him about money management when he was young and earning big, and he tries to share that knowledge with young performers today so they don't end up broke despite making millions.
Sergey Diakov
