37 years later: What happened to the cast of The Goonies?
- Replies 4
It's been nearly four decades since the classic family adventure film The Goonies graced our movie screens, but for many of us, the story of the misfit kids' antics remains as fresh as ever.
The film follows the intrepid search for One-Eyed Willy's hidden treasure, as the rag-tag group of youngsters fight to save their neighbourhood from the Fratelli Pirates.
We got to meet Mikey, the faithful friend; Data, who was known for his wits; Mouth, the chatty one; Chunk, who was always hungry; Stef, who was always cool under pressure; Andy, who was well-known for her stunning features; and of course, the ever-reliable Brand.
These lovable misfits and their adventure taught us invaluable lessons in loyalty and courage while restoring our faith in the power of friendship.
But, after 37 years, have you ever wondered where the beloved stars of The Goonies are now? Here we go through the cast of the classic film and bring you up to date on their lives since The Goonies.
Sean Astin (Mikey)
The lovable leader of the gang, played by Sean Astin, has since gone on to achieve fame of his own. Astin has a whopping 170 acting credits to his name, with some of his more recognisable roles including Toy Soldiers (1991) and Encino Man (1992). He has also embarked on his own directing, producing and writing projects over the years.
Most recognisably, however, is Astin's portrayal of Samwise Gamgee in the beloved Lord of the Rings films from 2001-2003. He also recently joined the cast of the cult classic Netflix series Stranger Things, which has been said to be inspired by The Goonies itself!
As of today, the 51-year-old is married with three children.
Ke Huy Quan (Data)
Few fans may know, but the quirky Data we know and love from The Goonies was played by an experienced child actor, Ke Huy Quan.
After the film's huge success, he starred in 1984's Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom alongside a young Harrison Ford.
He recently returned to acting and won an Outstanding Supporting Performance award for his role in Everything Everywhere All at Once (2019).
During his acceptance speech, he gushed about how wonderful it was to be back in Hollywood. 'This time last year, all I was hoping for was just a job. And just when I think that it can't get any better, it does. What an incredible honour,' he said.
Corey Feldman (Mouth)
With a host of iconic 80s movies to his name (including The Lost Boys and Licence to Drive), Feldman was riding the wave of teen-movie popularity when The Goonies was released.
However, he and fellow actor Corey Haim (who passed away in 2010) are perhaps best known for the success of their joint project, The Two Coreys, where the duos' charming antics were taken to the small screen.
Despite his huge success in the era, Feldman soon fell into the traps of substance abuse, something he has shown the courage to speak on recently. He is said to be an advocate for victims who, like himself, were sexually abused, particularly by predators in the entertainment industry.
After a chance meeting with Michael Jackson (who was a huge fan of The Goonies), Feldman found himself back in the entertainment scene, this time through music.
Jeff Cohen (Chunk)
Jeff Cohen, who was most famous for his iconic 'truffle-shuffle' in the film, became somewhat of a heartthrob for teenage girls in the 80s. However, after his breakthrough with The Goonies, Cohen reached puberty and dropped some weight, which was described as 'career-ending' for him. This caused him to lose even more roles in films.
Cohen then decided to hang up his identity as Chunk and, instead, pursue a career in law, where he is now an attorney.
In 2013 he was even named one of Variety's 'Dealmakers Impact Report', a spectacular list made up of the world's top financiers, attorneys, executives and entrepreneurs who have shifted and moulded the entertainment industry landscape.
Martha Plimpton (Stef)
Not only have Plimpton's acting talents been put to good use in the decades since The Goonies but she is also praised for her role in the entertainment industry as both an actress and advocate.
Some of Plimpton's more recognised roles include Virginia in the TV series Raising Hope, for which she was nominated for an Emmy's Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series award.
On stage, Plimpton has won three Tony Awards and is a highly acclaimed stage actor. She is also the spokesperson for the organisation A Is For, which is dedicated to advocating for reproductive rights.
Kerri Green (Andy)
When Green was cast in The Goonies, she was only 17 years old and had no previous acting experience; however, after this, parts did not appear to be as readily available to her.
Following her acting career, she went on to study film and art, and eventually, she established a production company called Independent Women Artists.
She's now married with two children and has fond memories of the experience - particularly that kiss with co-star Josh Brolin!
Josh Brolin (Brand)
Brolin was labelled Hollywood's 'next big thing' after the release of The Goonies and it was easy to see why. He has gone on to act in a long list of lauded films, with some of the more notable roles being in: No Country For Old Men, True Grit and most recently in the Infinity War and Endgame, both of which are Marvel blockbusters.
Brolin's fondness for The Goonies hasn't changed despite his success after the film's release; he has repeatedly referred to it as his 'best experience' and even admitted he's never had more fun filming a movie.
The Fratelli Family
The Fratelli brothers, played by Robert Davi (69) and Joe Pantoliano (71) have been very busy since The Goonies, with both Robert and Joe having achieved worldwide fame with their numerous projects since.
Sadly, Anne Ramsey, who played the role of Mama Fratelli, passed away in 1988 at the age of 59, reportedly due to complications related to a malignant tumour.
With the film's huge success, rumour has it that The Goonies sequel might finally be on its way, due to be released in 2027! The talk has it that the kids will now be the grown-ups, and their own kids will be on the search for One-Eyed Willy's treasure.
Whether or not this will come to fruition, we will simply have to wait and see. However, one thing's for sure; the cast members of The Goonies can certainly look back on their success with a great deal of pride and joy!
Members, do you miss The Goonies? And were you already a fan when it first premiered in 1985? If so, do you have a favourite character?
And while we're talking about iconic movies that have stood the test of time, which other classics would you like to see reunite their original actors for a sequel or special event? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!
The film follows the intrepid search for One-Eyed Willy's hidden treasure, as the rag-tag group of youngsters fight to save their neighbourhood from the Fratelli Pirates.
We got to meet Mikey, the faithful friend; Data, who was known for his wits; Mouth, the chatty one; Chunk, who was always hungry; Stef, who was always cool under pressure; Andy, who was well-known for her stunning features; and of course, the ever-reliable Brand.
These lovable misfits and their adventure taught us invaluable lessons in loyalty and courage while restoring our faith in the power of friendship.
But, after 37 years, have you ever wondered where the beloved stars of The Goonies are now? Here we go through the cast of the classic film and bring you up to date on their lives since The Goonies.
It's impossible to overlook the film's impact on a generation of children growing up in the 1980s. Credit: Facebook/The Goonies.
Sean Astin (Mikey)
The lovable leader of the gang, played by Sean Astin, has since gone on to achieve fame of his own. Astin has a whopping 170 acting credits to his name, with some of his more recognisable roles including Toy Soldiers (1991) and Encino Man (1992). He has also embarked on his own directing, producing and writing projects over the years.
Most recognisably, however, is Astin's portrayal of Samwise Gamgee in the beloved Lord of the Rings films from 2001-2003. He also recently joined the cast of the cult classic Netflix series Stranger Things, which has been said to be inspired by The Goonies itself!
As of today, the 51-year-old is married with three children.
Astin with his wife and three children. Credit: Instagram/seanastin.
Ke Huy Quan (Data)
Few fans may know, but the quirky Data we know and love from The Goonies was played by an experienced child actor, Ke Huy Quan.
After the film's huge success, he starred in 1984's Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom alongside a young Harrison Ford.
He recently returned to acting and won an Outstanding Supporting Performance award for his role in Everything Everywhere All at Once (2019).
During his acceptance speech, he gushed about how wonderful it was to be back in Hollywood. 'This time last year, all I was hoping for was just a job. And just when I think that it can't get any better, it does. What an incredible honour,' he said.
Quan had a mini-reunion with his fellow Goonies co-stars Astin and Cohen. Credit: Instagram/kehuyquan.
Corey Feldman (Mouth)
With a host of iconic 80s movies to his name (including The Lost Boys and Licence to Drive), Feldman was riding the wave of teen-movie popularity when The Goonies was released.
However, he and fellow actor Corey Haim (who passed away in 2010) are perhaps best known for the success of their joint project, The Two Coreys, where the duos' charming antics were taken to the small screen.
Despite his huge success in the era, Feldman soon fell into the traps of substance abuse, something he has shown the courage to speak on recently. He is said to be an advocate for victims who, like himself, were sexually abused, particularly by predators in the entertainment industry.
After a chance meeting with Michael Jackson (who was a huge fan of The Goonies), Feldman found himself back in the entertainment scene, this time through music.
Feldman went to a public showing of Quan's latest movie, and the now-grown-up cast got together for a mini-reunion. Credit: Instagram/cdogg22.
Jeff Cohen (Chunk)
Jeff Cohen, who was most famous for his iconic 'truffle-shuffle' in the film, became somewhat of a heartthrob for teenage girls in the 80s. However, after his breakthrough with The Goonies, Cohen reached puberty and dropped some weight, which was described as 'career-ending' for him. This caused him to lose even more roles in films.
Cohen then decided to hang up his identity as Chunk and, instead, pursue a career in law, where he is now an attorney.
In 2013 he was even named one of Variety's 'Dealmakers Impact Report', a spectacular list made up of the world's top financiers, attorneys, executives and entrepreneurs who have shifted and moulded the entertainment industry landscape.
Martha Plimpton (Stef)
Not only have Plimpton's acting talents been put to good use in the decades since The Goonies but she is also praised for her role in the entertainment industry as both an actress and advocate.
Some of Plimpton's more recognised roles include Virginia in the TV series Raising Hope, for which she was nominated for an Emmy's Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series award.
On stage, Plimpton has won three Tony Awards and is a highly acclaimed stage actor. She is also the spokesperson for the organisation A Is For, which is dedicated to advocating for reproductive rights.
Plimpton as Jaques in As You Like It. Credit: Instagram/sohoplace.
Kerri Green (Andy)
When Green was cast in The Goonies, she was only 17 years old and had no previous acting experience; however, after this, parts did not appear to be as readily available to her.
Following her acting career, she went on to study film and art, and eventually, she established a production company called Independent Women Artists.
She's now married with two children and has fond memories of the experience - particularly that kiss with co-star Josh Brolin!
Josh Brolin (Brand)
Brolin was labelled Hollywood's 'next big thing' after the release of The Goonies and it was easy to see why. He has gone on to act in a long list of lauded films, with some of the more notable roles being in: No Country For Old Men, True Grit and most recently in the Infinity War and Endgame, both of which are Marvel blockbusters.
Brolin's fondness for The Goonies hasn't changed despite his success after the film's release; he has repeatedly referred to it as his 'best experience' and even admitted he's never had more fun filming a movie.
Brolin with his current wife, Kathryn Boyd, and their two daughters. Credit: Instagram/joshbrolin.
The Fratelli Family
The Fratelli brothers, played by Robert Davi (69) and Joe Pantoliano (71) have been very busy since The Goonies, with both Robert and Joe having achieved worldwide fame with their numerous projects since.
Sadly, Anne Ramsey, who played the role of Mama Fratelli, passed away in 1988 at the age of 59, reportedly due to complications related to a malignant tumour.
Whether or not this will come to fruition, we will simply have to wait and see. However, one thing's for sure; the cast members of The Goonies can certainly look back on their success with a great deal of pride and joy!
Members, do you miss The Goonies? And were you already a fan when it first premiered in 1985? If so, do you have a favourite character?
And while we're talking about iconic movies that have stood the test of time, which other classics would you like to see reunite their original actors for a sequel or special event? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!
.png){kind=icon}
