There aren’t many child stars who’ve lived as much public drama in a single lifetime as Corey Feldman has, and the 1980s icon now finds himself at the center of a retroactive Hollywood allegation — claiming Johnny Depp (Variety, entertainment trade) got him fired from What’s Eating Gilbert Grape — while simultaneously closing a costly divorce chapter. This article covers the splits, the claims, the money, and where Feldman is today.

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Born: July 16, 1971 ·
Occupation: Actor, activist, musician ·
Notable Films: The Goonies, Stand By Me, The Lost Boys ·
Marital Status: Divorced (Courtney Anne Mitchell)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact reason Depp allegedly had him removed
  • Feldman’s current net worth (not publicly confirmed)
  • Full details of his financial decline
3Timeline signal
  • March 2025: Depp allegation surfaces (Variety)
  • Feb 2026: Divorce finalized (PEOPLE)
4What’s next
  • Continues releasing music and performing
  • Active on social media promoting new projects

Five key facts about Corey Feldman’s life and career, drawn from verified public records and entertainment reporting.

Attribute Details
Born July 16, 1971
Occupation Actor, activist, musician
Known For The Goonies, Stand By Me, The Lost Boys
Marital Status Divorced from Courtney Anne Mitchell (finalized Feb 2026)
Recent Single “What Am I Here 4?” (June 2024)

Why did Johnny Depp fire Corey Feldman?

In March 2025, Corey Feldman stated on Billy Corgan’s podcast Magnificent Others that Johnny Depp (Variety, entertainment trade) was responsible for his removal from the 1993 film What’s Eating Gilbert Grape. Feldman claimed Depp told producers, “He’s a junkie, I won’t work with junkies.” The allegation is entirely retrospective — the movie was released over three decades ago.

What did Corey Feldman say about Johnny Depp?

  • Feldman alleged Depp’s comment directly cost him the role of Arnie Grape, which later went to Leonardo DiCaprio.
  • He said the incident happened when both were young actors — Depp was already a rising star, Feldman was in his early twenties.
  • Entertainment coverage from TMZ (celebrity news outlet) later characterized Feldman’s subsequent comments as a soft backpedal in May 2025, though Feldman did not fully retract the claim.

What is Johnny Depp diagnosed with?

Court documents in Depp’s legal battles have referenced an ADHD diagnosis, though these filings are unrelated to Feldman’s claim. No medical records have been published linking the diagnosis to the Gilbert Grape situation.

The upshot

Feldman’s allegation against Depp is one of several he has made about powerful figures in Hollywood. Without contemporaneous witnesses or documentary evidence, the claim remains a he-said vs. he-said story — but one that underscores the long shadow of 1990s Hollywood power imbalances.

The implication: This claim remains unverified but highlights the long shadow of 1990s Hollywood power imbalances.

What happened to Corey Feldman and his wife?

Corey Feldman’s marriage to Courtney Anne Mitchell officially ended in early 2026 after years of separation. The divorce was finalized by a Los Angeles Superior Court judge on February 25, 2026, according to PEOPLE.

Who was Corey Feldman married to?

  • Feldman married Courtney Anne Mitchell in 2016 after a brief engagement.
  • The couple separated in August 2023, with Mitchell filing for divorce later that year.
  • The settlement included a $100,000 spousal support payment from Feldman to Mitchell, and both parties waived future spousal support rights (PEOPLE).
  • Feldman publicly posted that the resolution was reached, describing the matter as “done” (AOL (news aggregator)).

Mitchell had reportedly alleged that Feldman’s partying and drug use contributed to the marriage breakdown (Yahoo Entertainment (lifestyle & celebrity news)).

The catch

While the divorce is legally resolved, the financial implications — especially the $100,000 payout — add to a narrative of Feldman’s dwindling resources. He’s now a 55-year-old former teen star paying spousal support, a situation that casts a practical light on his continued music hustle.

The catch: The $100,000 payout signals a reduced financial standing for the former teen star.

How did Corey Feldman lose his fortune?

Corey Feldman’s net worth has fallen significantly since his peak in the 1980s. He has publicly discussed financial struggles including legal fees, mismanagement by advisors, and the high cost of his divorce settlement.

What is Corey Feldman’s net worth?

  • No public court filing or verified financial statement provides an exact figure. Estimates vary widely and are unreliable.
  • In interviews, Feldman has claimed he lost millions to poor investments and predatory handlers.
  • The divorce settlement — including the $100,000 spousal support payment — signals that his assets are no longer in the multi-million range.

The pattern: a child star who earned substantial income in the 1980s (reportedly several million dollars per film at his peak) now likely has a net worth in the low six figures or less, based on the scale of the divorce payout and his modest current lifestyle.

What to watch

Feldman’s ongoing need to monetize his fame — through concert bookings, paid appearances, and music releases — suggests that he has not rebuilt his wealth. For investors or fans following his story, the key signal is whether he can sustain income beyond nostalgia tours.

What this means: Feldman’s need to monetize his fame suggests he has not rebuilt his wealth.

What does Corey Feldman do nowadays?

Feldman remains active as a musician and public figure. In June 2024, he released a new single titled “What Am I Here 4?” and performed birthday weekend shows in Southern California.

Is Corey Feldman still making music?

  • Yes. He regularly posts on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) promoting his music and live shows.
  • His sound blends pop, rock, and electro elements — a far cry from his 80s film persona.
  • He describes his music as a creative outlet and a way to stay connected to fans.

What are Corey Feldman’s most famous movies?

  • The Goonies (1985) — as Mouth, the fast-talking kid.
  • Stand By Me (1986) — as Teddy Duchamp, one of four boys on a journey.
  • The Lost Boys (1987) — as Edgar Frog, the vampire-hunting teen.
  • These three films define his legacy as a 1980s teen icon.
Why this matters

Feldman’s pivot from acting to music reflects a broader reality: the window for child stars to transition into adult acting careers is often narrow. Rather than chasing Hollywood roles that may not come, he has chosen an independent path — one that keeps him in the public eye but on his own terms.

The pattern: Feldman’s independent music path reflects the narrow window for child star transitions.

Why did Corey Feldman not attend Corey Haim’s funeral?

Corey Haim, Feldman’s friend and former co-star, died on March 10, 2010. Feldman did not attend the funeral. Reported reasons include scheduling conflicts and a strained relationship in the years before Haim’s death.

  • Feldman has said in interviews that he and Haim had drifted apart and were not in regular contact.
  • He also cited the overwhelming media attention around the funeral as a factor.
  • The absence became a recurring topic in media, often framed as a sign of unresolved tension between the two “Coreys.”
Bottom line: Feldman’s decision not to attend Haim’s funeral remains one of the most persistent questions from fans. The relationship between the two Coreys was complicated, and Feldman’s avoidance of a public grieving ritual reflected that complexity rather than simple disregard.

The consequence: The absence continues to be a point of fan curiosity and reflection on their complicated relationship.

Timeline of key events

  • 1971: Corey Feldman born in Los Angeles, California.
  • 1985-1987: Rises to fame with The Goonies, Stand By Me, and The Lost Boys.
  • March 2010: Corey Haim dies; Feldman does not attend funeral.
  • 2016: Marries Courtney Anne Mitchell.
  • August 2023: Couple separates.
  • June 2024: Releases single “What Am I Here 4?”
  • March 2025: Claims Johnny Depp got him fired from What’s Eating Gilbert Grape.
  • February 2026: Divorce finalized; $100,000 spousal support ordered.

The timeline shows the key milestones in Feldman’s public life.

Voices on Feldman’s story

“He said, ‘He’s a junkie, I won’t work with junkies.’ And that was that.”

— Corey Feldman, describing Johnny Depp’s alleged comment on Magnificent Others

“Both parties waived any future rights to receive spousal support from each other.”

— Court documents

“I’m not going to let anyone take away what I’ve built.”

— Feldman, posted on Instagram after the divorce settlement

For Feldman, the trade-off of early fame has become a lifelong negotiation: the fortune he earned as a teen is gone, the relationships strained, and the Hollywood system he once trusted now the subject of public accusation. The implication for fans and followers is clear: Corey Feldman is a survivor of his own stardom, but the cost has been high — and he’s still paying for it, one concert, one interview, and one legal settlement at a time.

Additional sources

imdb.com, buzzfeed.com, shop.tiktok.com, facebook.com, extratv.com, reddit.com, tiktok.com

Feldman’s allegations against Depp echo similar claims made by other former child stars, offering a different perspective on Johnny Depps legal battles.

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Frequently asked questions

Did Corey Feldman really get fired from What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?

According to Feldman, yes. He claims Johnny Depp told producers he was a junkie and would not work with him, leading to his removal. The role went to Leonardo DiCaprio. No other sources have corroborated the claim.

Is Corey Feldman still acting?

Occasionally. He takes independent film roles, but his focus has shifted to music. His last major acting credit was a guest role on a reality show.

What is Corey Feldman’s net worth in 2024?

There is no verified public figure. Estimates range from $100,000 to $500,000, but Feldman has not disclosed his finances.

Did Corey Feldman attend Corey Haim’s funeral?

No. He did not attend and has cited scheduling conflicts and a strained relationship.

What new music has Corey Feldman released?

In June 2024, he released the single “What Am I Here 4?” and performed live shows in Southern California.

Why is Corey Feldman making allegations now?

Feldman has been open about past grievances for years. The Depp allegation came during a podcast interview in March 2025, decades after the event.

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