This Dartmouth man's life sounds straight out of Hollywood. His new book tells the story.

Matthew Ferreira, Standard-Times
Updated ·4 min read

DARTMOUTH — Devin Thomas Corey says he's thankful for having been blessed with "a pretty privileged childhood" growing up at his family's Westport home behind Horseneck Beach, and attending an all-boys' private school in Providence. While he now lives a life more akin to what many might expect of someone with his upbringing, running his own construction and real estate company from the suburban comfort of South Dartmouth, there was a time when the idea of a life this quiet sent him running the other way.

It's a journey with many distinct chapters, from following the Grateful Dead on tour in a school bus he'd purchased, to working for a dangerous international drug cartel, and to Hollywood where he'd land roles like that of The Who's road manager in the Academy Award-winning "Almost Famous" (2000).

It wouldn't be long, though, before budding big screen success gave way to addiction and hitting rock bottom, and eventually, a journey to recovery and spiritual redemption.

The trials, tribulations, and transformative healing Corey underwent through the decades is the stuff his new book, "Thomas," classified as "auto-fiction," is made of, he said.

South Dartmouth resident and Westport native Devin Thomas Corey says his new book, "Thomas," classified as auto-fiction, is based on his own life and times.
South Dartmouth resident and Westport native Devin Thomas Corey says his new book, "Thomas," classified as auto-fiction, is based on his own life and times.

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A restless spirit

"I always marched to the beat of my own drummer," Corey said of his parents' early efforts to set him on the straight-and-narrow. At one point, this included sending him to Massachusetts Maritime Academy. "My parents were hoping it would keep me in line."

But, as his aforementioned life and times would indicate, those efforts weren't enough to satisfy Corey's longing for adventure. While he would realize during his stint in Hollywood, both acting and running a celebrity real estate business, that the "fast life" of excess he'd built for himself wasn't a good fit, it would take a drastic life event to break his bondage to the substances he'd come to depend on.

That came in the form of an intentional overdose in 2014.

"I was homeless, destitute. My family wasn't talking with me," he said. "I was disgusted with myself and I just could not stop using drugs."

Surviving only by an extraordinary case of dumb luck — the details of which he says may serve as a book spoiler — Corey says he'd received the wake-up call needed to send him running toward recovery and self-discovery.

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Who's 'Thomas'?

Corey says the book's title is based on some synchronicities he'd noticed in his life around the name "Thomas." Besides it being his own middle name, there have been multiple Thomases who've been integral to his journey, Corey said, again being careful not to give away too much except to credit one particular Thomas with empowering him to write his story.

"I couldn't figure out how to tie it all together and share a message of hope and inspiration," Corey said. "But through his passing and that journey of self-exploration, I was able to relay the message...."

South Dartmouth resident and Westport native Devin Thomas Corey says his new book, "Thomas," classified as auto-fiction, is based on his own life and times.
South Dartmouth resident and Westport native Devin Thomas Corey says his new book, "Thomas," classified as auto-fiction, is based on his own life and times.

The good life

All this is not to say that Corey — who just turned 50 last month — has lost his sense of adventure, but these days, those adventures are guided by his "spiritual path" rather than carnal pleasures and earthly conquests.

"This past winter I had a private audience with the Dalai Lama, I went to Mount Everest base camp," he said, noting his gratitude. "I am approaching 10 years sober and, just as Tom promised me, my life has just gotten even more unbelievable; it's just been phenomenal."

What's to come?

While descriptions of "Thomas" may make it appear as if Corey's debut work as an author is all-inclusive of his life story, the new author assures there's more to tell.

"Readers can expect a prequel and a sequel," Corey said.

Book signing coming up

On Sunday, July 30, Corey will be at Davoll's General Store, 1228 Russells Mills Road, South Dartmouth, at 5 p.m. to sign copies of "Thomas."

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Devin Thomas Corey signs a copy of his book, "Thomas," while sitting at Westport Point.
Devin Thomas Corey signs a copy of his book, "Thomas," while sitting at Westport Point.

How to get a copy

"Thomas" is available for purchase now on BookBaby by visiting store.bookbaby.com/book/thomas3, or find the link through the official "Thomas" website at www.thomasthebook.com. Readers can also pre-order on Amazon and other online retailers, with copies to be received by Sept. 1, Corey said.

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Dartmouth's Devin Thomas Corey writes story of addiction and Hollywood