Flashback to the Adventure-Filled '80s: What Happened to the Goonies Gang?
Mischievous explorers' exploits revealed - Notorious Explorers Embarked on Sinister Expedition
Got a bit gray around the edges, eh? Movies from our yesteryears often serve as a stark reminder of just how much time has passed since their debut. One such film is the beloved family adventure "The Goonies," directed by the late, great Richard Donner - the brains behind "Lethal Weapon" and the iconic "Ghostbusters."
In theaters across the United States on June 7, 1985, "The Goonies" placed audiences on a wild treasure hunt alongside a motley crew of kids, some pesky teenagers, and a shady family of crooks. But what has become of the young actors who brought these characters to life? Let's dive in!
Leading the Pack: Sean Astin as Mikey Walsh
While he may have stolen the show as the ringleader of the Goonies gang, Sean Astin is no stranger to the limelight. Сelebrated as one of the most significant sidekicks in cinematic history following "The Goonies," he found himself embarking on a completely different type of journey - across Middle Earth. In Peter Jackson's "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, he portrayed the crucial role of Samwise "Sam" Gamgee, ensuring Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood) completed his epic mission. Although he's continued to work on various projects, precipitously, his endearing portrayal of Hobbit Sam forever holds a special place in the hearts of many.
A New Hollywood Star: Ke Huy Quan as Data Wang
Fast forward to 2022, and the former child actor who played Richard "Data" Wang in "The Goonies" is now an Academy Award winner. After a roughly 30-year hiatus, Quan stunned audiences with his exceptional performance in the sci-fi sensation "Everything Everywhere All at Once." The now 53-year-old actor has been back on the Hollywood A-list since his Oscar victory, appearing in movies like "The Electric State" and the "Loki" series.
From Slob to Lawyer: Jeff Cohen as Chunk
It's been three decades since Jeff Cohen, now unrecognizable thanks to a dramatic transformation, graced our screens as the gorging Lawrence "Chunk" Cohen. Yet, it's not his acting career we should be talking about. Instead, he's had quite the successful stint in the legal world, co-founding the entertainment law firm Cohen & Gardner, LLP, and earning a spot on "The Hollywood Reporter's" list of "Top 35 Power Players in Hollywood Under 35." In 2022, he cemented his place in Ke Huy Quan's memorable Oscar acceptance speech.
The Rocky Road of Corey Feldman
Life post-"The Goonies" hasn't been a walk in the park for Corey Feldman, who played the mischievous Clark "Mouth" Devereaux. While he secured notable roles in films like "Stand by Me" and "The Lost Boys" during the '80s, he attracted attention for his reports of child abuse within the entertainment industry. As a result, he grappled with alcohol and drug addiction for years. In recent times, Feldman has focused on smaller roles in lesser-known projects and ventured into music.
Alex to Avenger: Josh Brolin as Brand Walsh
Brolin may have been just a teenager when he portrayed Mikey's older brother Brandon "Brand" Walsh in "The Goonies," but he went on to forge a highly successful acting career. With roles in "No Country for Old Men," "Wall Street," "Milk," "Sicario," "Dune," and even the infamous Marvel villain Thanos, Brolin has left quite the mark on the film industry. Though he hasn't snagged an Oscar yet, he isn't showing any signs of slowing down.
From On-Screen Love to Producing: Kerri Green as Andi Carmichael
Like Josh Brolin, Kerri Green's breakout performance as Andrea "Andy" Carmichael was her first role on the big screen. Unlike Brolin, she didn't capture the hearts of audiences as profoundly. However, Green hasn't exactly disappeared from the scene. She's popped up in numerous TV shows and films over the years and started her own production company.
Steady as She Goes: Martha Plimpton as Stef Steinbrenner
Last but certainly not least is Martha Plimpton, who waltzed into the adventure as Stefanie "Stef" Steinbrenner. Since then, she's maintained a consistent acting career, gracing the small and big screens in films like "The Good Wife" and "Raising Hope." Though she hasn't scooped up any Oscars, she's earned a few Emmy and Tony Award nominations for her impressive work in the theater.
Reunions, birthdays, and anniversaries - the cast of "The Goonies" hasn't forgotten about their shared adventure. Despite the lack of a sequel, these background buddies continue to support each other, always ready for another treasure hunt. After all, Goonies never say die!
- Films: "The Goonies," "Encino Man," "Rudy," "No Country for Old Men," "Ghostbusters," "Milk", "Sicario," "Dune," "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom," "Everything Everywhere All at Once," "The Electric State"
- Actors: Sean Astin, Josh Brolin, Corey Feldman, Ke Huy Quan, Jeff Cohen, Kerri Green, Martha Plimpton
- Reunions: "The Goonies" 35th Anniversary, and various other reunions and tributes
- Oscars: Ke Huy Quan ("Everything Everywhere All at Once")
- Childhood: "The Goonies," Adventures, Oregon
- Hollywood: Academy Awards, Emmy Awards, Tony Awards
- Attorneys: Jeff Cohen and his law firm Cohen & Gardner, LLP
- Lawsuits: Childhood abuse allegations involving Corey Feldman and the entertainment industry
- Substance Abuse: Corey Feldman's struggles with alcohol and drugs
- Marriage: Jeff Cohen's ex-wife Susie Sprague and their son
- Legacy: The cast's bond, shared memories, and influence on audiences
Enrichment Data:Since the release of "The Goonies" in 1985, the cast members have ventured down a variety of paths. A brief overview of their journeys post-"The Goonies" includes:
- Sean Astin (Mikey Walsh): Astin bounced back and forth between the big and small screen, appearing in movies like "Encino Man" and "Rudy." However, his most significant role was probably Samwise Gamgee in Peter Jackson's "Lord of the Rings" trilogy. Astin remains active in the entertainment industry[1][3].
- Josh Brolin (Brand Walsh): Just like Sean Astin, Brolin continued to act across various film and television projects, including "No Country for Old Men" and "Milk." His most prominent roles include his appearances in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He has also been a part of many Goonies reunions and tributes [2][4].
- Corey Feldman (Mouth): Feldman's life post-"The Goonies" has experienced its share of challenges, particularly when it comes to his substance abuse problems. He's been candid about his experiences in the entertainment industry and is in a relationship with musician Adrien Skye. He has one son with his ex-wife Susie Sprague [3].
- Ke Huy Quan (Data): Following "The Goonies" and "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom," Quan's acting career saw a significant slowdown. However, he resurfaced in 2022 with the film "Everything Everywhere All at Once," which earned him an Oscar. He has expressed interest in reprising his role as Data in a potential spin-off or sequel [1][2][3].
- Jeff Cohen (Chunk): After "The Goonies," Cohen found it difficult to maintain his acting career due to puberty-related changes. He eventually shifted gears and became a lawyer. Cohen founded the entertainment law firm Cohen & Gardner, LLP, which represented Quan for his Academy Award-winning role in "Everything Everywhere All at Once."
- Kerri Green (Andi Stevenson): Green continued to act, though her roles were less prevalent than some of her fellow cast members. She's transitioned into producing and remains close with her old castmates [2][4].
- Martha Plimpton (Stef): Plimpton has maintained a faithful acting career, appearing in numerous films and TV shows like "The Good Wife." She's earned multiple Emmy and Tony award nominations for her work in the theater [4].
The cast continues to gather for reunions and celebrate milestones, such as the film's 40th anniversary [2][4].
Sean Astin, renowned for his role as Mikey Walsh in "The Goonies," went on to achieve global fame playing Samwise Gamgee in Peter Jackson's "Lord of the Rings" trilogy. Today, Astin remains an active figure in the world of entertainment and movies-and-tv.
Jeff Cohen, who portrayed Chunk, underwent a dramatic transformation and shifted focus from acting to becoming a successful attorney. As the co-founder of the entertainment law firm Cohen & Gardner, LLP, Cohen continues to navigate the celebrity-filled realm of Hollywood.
