'The Goonies' Cast Then and Now: The remarkable journey of cult classic film's stars
From Sean Astin to Joe Pantoliano, 'The Goonies' cast members' journey
The timeless classic 'The Goonies' hit theatres in 1985 and has since captured the hearts of numerous film lovers, retaining its charm even four decades after release. Its enduring popularity led Warner Bros to re-introduce it in cinemas as part of their centennial celebrations. The memorable film by Richard Donner was showcased for a limited period starting September 1 in selected Regal and AMC Theatres and from September 10 in Cinemark. This wasn't its first encore; the film was previously brought back to theaters for its 35th anniversary in 2020. Let's take a look at the stars of the cult classic film and see where they are now.
Sean Astin (Mikey)
Sean Astin, known for his portrayal of Mikey Walsh, the leader in 'The Goonies', embarked on his cinematic journey at the tender age of 14. He later achieved acclaim for his role as Samwise Gamgee in the 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy. Now 52, Astin has made appearances in popular shows like 'The Big Bang Theory', 'Stranger Things', and 'Supergirl'. His most recent role was in 'Perry Mason' on HBO Max. In 1992, he tied the knot with Christine Harrell and together, they are parents to three daughters. He is also part of the SAG-AFTRA negotiating committee and shares images of the strike on social media.
Ke Huy Quan (Data)
Ke Huy Quan, recognized for his role as Data in 'The Goonies', also made a mark in 'Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom' in 1984. Following an extended hiatus from acting, Quan, now 52, made a triumphant return, securing an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in the 2022 film 'Everything Everywhere All At Once'. Quan shared with reporters a day after his victory that he received congratulatory messages from all his co-stars from the 80's hit. "I love all of them so much," he said, as per AP News. "Every single one of them was so happy ... We're family forever. Goonies never say die."
Josh Brolin (Brand Walsh)
Josh Brolin, recognized for his role as Brand Walsh, Mikey's older brother in 'The Goonies', was notable for his signature red bandana. The film marked the beginning of Brolin’s cinematic journey. Since then, Brolin’s career has flourished, with him stepping into the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the antagonist, Thanos, in the 'Avengers' series. His recent works include the 2020 remake of 'Dune' and the 2022 Amazon Prime Video series 'Outer Range'. The actor, 55, is a father to a son and daughter, named Eden and Trevor, from his first marriage with actress Alice Adair. He also has two daughters with his current wife, Kathryn Boyd Brolin.
Corey Feldman (Mouth)
Corey Feldman, who played the quick-witted Mouth in 'The Goonies', was a genuine child star of the '80s. His filmography includes notable movies like 'Gremlins', 'Stand By Me', 'The Lost Boys', and 'License To Drive'. Feldman has maintained his acting career with smaller projects and has been open about his battles with drug addiction.
Jeff Cohen (Chunk)
Cohen, who started out as a child actor, first graced the big screen in 'The Goonies', portraying the unforgettable Lawrence 'Chunk' Cohen. After several TV appearances, Cohen transitioned from acting to a law career. The actor, now 49, essentially retired from acting after the '80s. After 'The Goonies', he lent his voice to Francis in 'Popeye and Son' (1987) and Grunt in 'Scooby-Doo and the Ghoul School' (1988). As per IMDb, his final acting credit was in the 1991 TV movie 'Perfect Harmony'. Since then, Cohen has carved out a successful career as an entertainment lawyer in LA, having earned his Juris Doctor degree from the UCLA School of Law.
Kerri Green (Andy)
Green made her screen debut with 'The Goonies'. In the '90s, she established her own production company, Independent Women Artists. Her acting career includes appearances on shows like 'ER' and 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit'. After a break of a decade, she returned to the screen in 2012 with the film 'Complacent', as stated by IMDb. According to People, the mother of two now reportedly works behind the scenes in the entertainment industry.
Martha Plimpton (Stef)
Martha Plimpton, now a renowned actress, began her career in film with her role as Stef Steinbrenner in 'The Goonies'. She later starred in 'The Mosquito Coast' and 'Running on Empty', and gained significant success in TV with shows like 'ER', 'How to Make It in America', and 'The Real O'Neals'. She won the Emmy for guest acting in 'The Good Wife' and was nominated for lead actress in 'Raising Hope'. Plimpton has also co-founded 'A is For', an organization aimed at ending the stigma against abortion care.
John Matuszak (Sloth)
(Warner Bros, strongman archives/Wikimedia Commons)
Matuszak, a 6 ft 8 in NFL player, played for the Kansas City Chiefs, Washington Commanders, and Oakland Raiders before starring in 'The Goonies'. He also starred in 'The North Dallas Forty' and 'The Ice Pirates'. Matuszak's last film was 'One Crazy Summer', and he wrote an autobiography, 'Cruisin' with the Tooz', published in 1987. He died in 1989 due to an accidental overdose of prescription drugs at 38.
Joe Pantoliano (Francis Fratelli)
(Warner Bros via IMDb, @realjoeypants/Instagram)
Joe Pantoliano, a character actor, played one-half of the Fratelli brothers in 'The Goonies'. He has had a long career, appearing in films like 'Midnight Run', 'The Fugitive', 'Bad Boys', and 'The Matrix'. In 2003, he won the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for Ralph Cifarretto on 'The Sopranos'. The 72-year-old reprised his role as Captain Howard in 'Bad Boys for Life' in 2020.