Having your lucky break and becoming an overnight celebrity may seem like a dream for many, but it’s not always easy to handle the celebrity lifestyle and everything it throws at you, especially if you’re a child star.
Blake Heron’s tragic fate is just one example of that.
Blake Heron was just 14 years old when he starred in the movie “Shiloh” in 1996. Heron played the starring role Marty Preston and became known as the cute little guy with the dog.
That same year he won the prestigious prize for the Best Leading Young Actor in a Feature Film at the Young Artist Awards. The awards show is sometimes called the “childrens’ oscars” and the prize has previously been won by actors like Elijah Wood, Macaulay Culkin and Haley Joel Osment.
After graduating highschool in 2000, Blake Heron landed roles in films such as “We were soldiers” and “Dandelion”. He also made appearances in TV shows such as “NCIS: New Orleans” and “Criminal Minds.”
At the time, it seemed as though Blake had a bright future ahead of him – but soon enough, the dark side of the celerbity world took over.
‘Shiloh’ star Blake Heron's death has been ruled an accidental overdose. https://t.co/koFc3FsCDW pic.twitter.com/ydip0gNs3F
— Entertainment Tonight (@etnow) February 8, 2018
The young actor became trapped in a cycle of drug abuse – and it soon spiralled out of control.
“I started doing drugs when I was about 12, typical smoking weed and drinking at first. It quickly progressed to opiates… and I lost everything. I lost my career, I lost all my money, I lost possessions, and most importantly I lost myself. I felt like I lost my soul,” Blake explained in Spring 2017.
In the same video clip, Blake explained that he’d decided to get sober and get himself out of his destructive lifestyle. In 2017 he appeared in the documentary film ”A thousand junkies”, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival.
But in September 2017, the 35 year old actor was found dead in his home.
"Shiloh" child star Blake Heron's cause of death revealed https://t.co/V1nXZIvPpk pic.twitter.com/zbvpPzHH7L
— Yahoo Entertainment (@YahooEnt) February 9, 2018
TMZ reported that Blake had been suffering with the flu, and that days earlier he had checked out of rehab.
But just a few days ago, an autopsy confirmed his tragic cause of death. Blake hadn’t been able to escape his demons – and died of an accidental overdose.
It was a tragic end to an addiction that the actor had been fighting ever since his teenage years. Blake Heron is no longer with us, but will always be in the hearts of his loved ones.
“I loved him with all my heart and will love him for the rest of my life. He was my man. my partner. my best friend,” girlfriend Chanel Panagiotopoulos wrote on Instagram.
What a tragic loss. Do you remember watching Blake Heron in Shiloh? Share your thoughts with us in the comments to help us remember this talented actor.
