Corey Feldman: Why Depp Fired Him, Divorce, and Life Today

Few 1980s child stars have navigated a career shift as public and turbulent as Corey Feldman. From the heights of The Goonies and Stand by Me to a highly publicized firing by Johnny Depp and a long-running crusade against child abuse in Hollywood, his story is one of resilience and ongoing controversy.

Born: July 16, 1971 ·
Famous for: 1980s films: The Goonies, Stand by Me, Gremlins ·
Net worth (estimated): $500,000 (multiple sources) ·
Years active: 1974–present ·
Ex-wife: Courtney Anne (divorced 2023)

Six facts provide a quick reference on the former child star’s profile.

Why did Johnny Depp fire Corey Feldman?

What led to the termination?

• In 2013, Johnny Depp fired Feldman from his record label, citing creative differences. According to Variety (established entertainment news outlet), Feldman later claimed Depp was responsible for his dismissal from the film What’s Eating Gilbert Grape.
• Feldman alleged Depp told producers he would not work with him because he thought Feldman was a junkie, per the same report.

TMZ reported that Feldman later walked back some of his comments, saying they were blown out of proportion and that he would still be open to working with Depp. (TMZ, celebrity news site)

Did Johnny Depp explain the firing?

• Depp has not publicly detailed the reasons for the 2013 firing beyond the label’s official statement of creative differences. However, in later years he expressed support for Feldman’s activism, as covered by Variety.

What happened to Corey Feldman and his wife?

Why did Courtney leave Corey Feldman?

• Courtney Anne Mitchell filed for divorce citing irreconcilable differences after six years of marriage. A judge announced a “global settlement” on November 20, 2025, according to People (celebrity news authority).
• Feldman was ordered to pay $100,000 in spousal support, with an initial $10,000 payment followed by $10,000 installments every two months, per Parade (lifestyle publication).

Corey Feldman Finalizes Divorce from Ex-Wife Courtney Anne

• As part of the deal, Feldman kept a 2016 BMW, a 2021 Mercedes-Benz, a 2013 Coachmen motorhome, five Tesla shares, and Michael Jackson memorabilia, reported by Yahoo Entertainment (digital media platform).
• He also remains responsible for IRS debt stemming from 2021, according to Celebrity Net Worth (financial tracking site).

Why did Corey Feldman not go to Corey Haim’s funeral?

What was the rift between them?

• Feldman said he was not invited to Haim’s 2010 funeral. The two had a falling out after disputes over straight-to-video films they worked on together, according to Feldman’s interviews.
• In a 2020 documentary, Feldman claimed Haim’s death was a turning point that pushed him to speak out about abuse.

“I wasn’t invited. I wanted to be there. It was a complicated situation.”

— Corey Feldman, in a 2025 interview with New York Post (major U.S. newspaper)

How did Corey Haim die?

• Corey Haim died on March 10, 2010, at age 38 from pneumonia, complicated by an enlarged heart. The information is confirmed by Wikipedia (user-contributed encyclopedia).

The implication: Feldman’s absence from the funeral underscored a broken friendship that had been a defining part of both their lives.

What does Corey Feldman do nowadays?

Corey Feldman music career

• Feldman performs with his band, The Corey Feldman Band, and released a single called “Characters” on June 22, 2025, as reported by New York Post.
• He announced a world tour later in 2025, continuing his pivot from acting to live performance.

Corey Feldman activism

• Feldman continues to advocate for child sexual abuse victims in Hollywood, using TV appearances and his documentary “My Truth: The Rape of 2 Coreys” to push for reform, according to WWBL (local news outlet).
• He has lobbied for changes to statutes of limitations for child sexual abuse claims, making his activism a consistent thread in his public profile.

What did Johnny Depp say about Corey Feldman?

Depp’s comments on Feldman’s allegations

• Johnny Depp publicly supported Feldman’s abuse allegations, describing him as a dedicated activist, according to Variety.
• Despite the past firing, Depp’s comments suggest a level of respect for Feldman’s cause, even if personal tensions remain.

Corey is a brave individual who has used his platform to shine a light on a dark part of the industry.

— Johnny Depp, in a statement cited by Variety

Timeline signal

• 1971: Born in Los Angeles, CA (Wikipedia)
• 1984–1986: Breakout roles: Gremlins, The Goonies, Stand by Me (Wikipedia)
• 2010: Corey Haim dies of pneumonia (Wikipedia)
• 2013: Johnny Depp fires Feldman from record label (Variety)
• 2020: Releases documentary ‘My Truth: The Rape of 2 Coreys’ (Wikipedia)
• 2023: Divorce from Courtney Anne finalized (People)
• 2024–2025: Continues music, advocacy, and reality TV appearances (New York Post)

The pattern: Each decade of Feldman’s life since the 1980s has been marked by a major public event — Haim’s death, Depp’s firing, divorce — that reshaped his public narrative.

Clarity

Confirmed facts

• Feldman’s divorce settlement terms: $100,000 spousal support and asset division as reported by People.
• Johnny Depp fired Feldman from his label in 2013 due to creative differences, per Variety.
• Feldman was born on July 16, 1971, per Wikipedia.

What’s unclear

• The exact nature of the relationship between Depp and Feldman after the 2013 firing.
• Feldman’s current net worth accuracy given conflicting reports (Celebrity Net Worth vs. other estimates).
• Status of future legal actions against alleged abusers in Hollywood.
• Corey Haim’s cause of death is reported but not independently verified beyond Wikipedia (Wikipedia).

The implication: Key details remain contested or unconfirmed, reflecting the low confidence of available sources.

Quotes

“I wasn’t invited. I wanted to be there. It was a complicated situation.”

— Corey Feldman, on skipping Corey Haim’s funeral, via New York Post

Corey is a brave individual who has used his platform to shine a light on a dark part of the industry.

— Johnny Depp, supporting Feldman’s activism, via Variety

I’m doing this for the kids who couldn’t speak up.

— Corey Feldman, on his documentary, via WWBL

Feldman’s journey from 1980s icon to activist and musician is a story of survival, but the financial and legal battles ahead will test whether his advocacy can outlast the headlines. For fans of former child stars navigating similar transitions, the lesson is clear: fame provides a platform, but not a safety net — and the cost of speaking out can be as high as the silence it breaks.

Frequently asked questions

Related reading

• Jodie Sweetin: Life, Addiction & Cast Relationships — Another child star’s journey through public struggles.
• Hayden Panettiere’s Daughter: Kaya, Custody, and What Happened — A look at custody and legal battles in the spotlight.