Corey Feldman is not only ringing in holidays with a cover of a holiday classic -- the bell has sounded loud and clear on a new chapter of the former child actor's life.

Though he admits he's struggles with ups and downs in the years since his adolescent roles in the hit films "Gremlins," "The Goonies," "Stand By Me" and "The Lost Boys," Feldman, has no doubt had a successful 2002. Among other things, Feldman was recently married, kept himself busy with film and television gigs, and released a new album aptly titled, "Former Child Actor."

Included on the new release is Feldman's version of "Jingle Bell Rock," which was originally recorded by Bobby Helms. The time-honored holiday tune fits right in with his style of music, Feldman said.

"I wanted to do something which was obviously a nod to the Christmas tradition of music, but I also wanted something contemporary," Feldman told me in a recent Click 2 Houston interview. "The reason I chose 'Jingle Bell Rock' is because I'm a big rock and roll fan, and my album is primarily a rock and roll-based album. I wanted to do something that could definitely be re-made with a rock and roll edge and there's not too many Christmas songs out there that you can really get rocking."

Feldman was originally asked by some friends to record a cover of a holiday tune for a compilation album, but decided it should have a place on the "Former Child Actor" CD, too. The disc's title track, co-written with Feldman by fellow actor-musician, Rick Springfield, shows that the performer is willing to poke fun at his past as a child star.

"You've got to have a sense of humor about it -- and I think that people also appreciate that," Feldman said. "As long as I'm in on the joke and we're all laughing together, then I think it's great."

And there's more of Feldman's willingness to poke fun at himself on the way. He'll make cameos as himself in the upcoming feature films "Bikini Bandits" and "Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star," which stars actor-comedian David Spade.

Next for Feldman, though, is a stint on the upcoming WB reality-show "The Surreal Life." Starting in January, the "Real World"-type series will track the lives of Feldman and other celebrities such as rocker Vince Neil, rapper MC Hammer, "Webster" star Emmanuel Lewis and "The Facts of Life" star Mindy Cohn, during a two-week stay together at a Hollywood Hills, Calif., home.

"Hopefully the network will get the clue that cheesiness doesn't necessarily appeal to the American public, and maybe we should go for something a little bit deeper," Feldman said. "And, hopefully if they do, then they will show the reality -- no pun intended -- of what really went on while we all shared that experience together."