It’s been four decades since a group of kids from the "Goon Docks" tripped over a treasure map and changed 1980s cinema forever. Forty years. That’s enough time for an entire generation to grow up, have kids of their own, and realize that the cast of the Goonies now and then looks wildly different than anyone expected back in 1985. We usually expect child stars to flame out. It’s a sad, tired trope. But the Goonies? They kind of broke the mold. Some became Oscar winners. Others became lawyers. One of them basically owns a huge chunk of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The thing is, Richard Donner didn’t just cast actors; he cast a chemistry. He let them scream over each other. He let them be messy. That authenticity is why we still care about where "Chunk" is today or why "Data" suddenly reappeared on our screens to collect a golden statue. Let’s look at how the Fratelli-escaping crew actually turned out.
Sean Astin: From Mikey Walsh to Middle-earth
Sean Astin was the heart of the movie. As Mikey, he gave that "Troy’s bucket" speech that still gives people chills. But if you look at the cast of the Goonies now and then, Sean is the one who most successfully bridged the gap between "child star" and "prestige actor." He didn't just fade away. He waited, worked, and then landed the role of Samwise Gamgee in The Lord of the Rings.
Honestly, it's rare to see that kind of longevity. Most kids would have peaked at 14. Sean didn’t. He went from looking for One-Eyed Willy’s gold to carrying Frodo Baggins up a literal volcano. Later, he broke our hearts again as Bob Newby in Stranger Things. He’s the elder statesman of the group now. He’s also a marathon runner and an advocate for mental health, carrying on the legacy of his mother, the late Patty Duke. He basically became the reliable, sturdy guy we all hoped Mikey would grow up to be.
The Resurrection of Ke Huy Quan
For the longest time, if you looked up the cast of the Goonies now and then, Ke Huy Quan was the mystery. He played Data, the gadget-obsessed kid with the "slick shoes" and the pinching power. After Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and The Goonies, the roles just... stopped. Hollywood didn’t know what to do with an Asian actor in the 90s. It’s a frustrating reality of the industry back then.
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He didn't quit movies, though. He went behind the camera. He worked on stunts. He assisted legendary director Wong Kar-wai.
Then 2022 happened. Everything Everywhere All at Once changed everything. Seeing him win an Academy Award was the ultimate full-circle moment for Goonies fans. He’s now everywhere—Loki, American Born Chinese, you name it. He’s living proof that sometimes the "then" and the "now" just need a thirty-year gap to make sense. He still calls Jeff Cohen (Chunk) his "Goonie brother" and his lawyer.
Jeff Cohen: From the Truffle Shuffle to the Boardroom
Speaking of Jeff Cohen, his transformation is probably the most shocking if you’re just looking at photos. Chunk was the quintessential "funny kid." But Hollywood is cruel to child actors who don’t fit a specific physical mold as they age. When Cohen hit puberty and thinned out, the roles dried up.
Did he spiral? No. He got smart.
He went to UCLA, then USC Law. Now, Jeff Cohen is a high-powered entertainment lawyer in Beverly Hills. If you’re a big star signing a multi-million dollar deal, there’s a decent chance the guy who once did the Truffle Shuffle is the one reviewing your contract. He’s arguably the most "successful" in a traditional sense, even if he hasn't been in front of a camera in decades. He looks completely different—polished, professional, and sharp.
Josh Brolin and the A-List Pivot
It’s easy to forget Josh Brolin started as Brand, the older brother in the grey sweatsuit. For a long time, he was just "that guy from the 80s." His career didn’t explode immediately. He did a lot of TV, a lot of westerns, and a lot of gritty roles that didn't quite stick.
Then came No Country for Old Men.
Suddenly, Brand was a powerhouse. He became Thanos. He became Cable. He became a fixture in Denis Villeneuve’s Dune. Looking at the cast of the Goonies now and then, Brolin is the heavy hitter. He’s the one who transitioned into a "serious" actor with an intimidating physical presence. He’s also remarkably open about his past struggles with sobriety, which adds a layer of rugged humanity to his celebrity status.
Corey Feldman: The Complicated Path
We have to talk about Corey Feldman because his "now" is the most scrutinized. As Mouth, he was the fast-talking, bilingual rebel. In the 80s, he was everywhere. Stand By Me, The Lost Boys, Gremlins. He was the king of the teen stars.
His journey has been much more turbulent than the others. He’s been very vocal about the abuse he witnessed and experienced in Hollywood, which made him a polarizing figure for a long time. These days, he focuses heavily on his music and unconventional public appearances. While he hasn't had the "prestige" comeback like Ke Huy Quan, he remains a cult icon. He’s fiercely protective of his legacy and the memory of his friend Corey Haim. Whether you follow his music or not, his resilience is undeniable.
Martha Plimpton and Kerri Green
The girls of the Goonies took very different paths. Martha Plimpton (Stef) became a powerhouse of the stage and screen. She’s won Emmys and been nominated for Tonys. She’s one of those actors who is so good you forget she was once the cynical teenager with the glasses. She’s a character actress in the best sense of the word.
Kerri Green (Andy), on the other hand, largely stepped away from the spotlight. She did some directing and co-founded a film production company, but she chose a much more private life. It’s a reminder that not everyone who hits it big at 17 wants to be famous at 50.
Whatever Happened to Sloth?
John Matuszak, the man behind the Sloth mask, was a former NFL defensive end. He was a massive human being with a huge personality. Sadly, his "now" ended far too soon. He passed away in 1989, just four years after the movie was released. He was only 38. Fans often forget that under all those prosthetics was a world-class athlete who struggled with chronic pain and substance issues. His performance as Sloth remains the emotional anchor of the film, reminding us that "hey you guys" was more than just a catchphrase—it was a call for belonging.
The Fratellis and the Adults
Robert Davi and Joe Pantoliano are still working constantly. Davi became a go-to Bond villain and a singer, while "Joey Pants" became an icon through The Sopranos and The Matrix. They were established pros even back then, and they’ve stayed that way. Anne Ramsey, who played the terrifying Mama Fratelli, passed away in 1988, shortly after receiving an Oscar nomination for Throw Momma from the Train. She was a legend who brought a specific, gravelly intensity that no one has been able to replicate since.
Why the Goonies Legacy Still Holds Up
Most "now and then" stories are depressing. They focus on the decline. But the cast of the Goonies now and then narrative is actually pretty inspiring. You have a group of people who, for the most part, supported each other. They didn't fall into the typical traps of child stardom.
- They stayed connected. They still show up for each other's premieres.
- They pivoted. When acting didn't work, they did law, stunts, or production.
- They embraced the nostalgia. None of them seem "too cool" for the movie that started it all.
The film works because it treats childhood like an adventure rather than a waiting room for adulthood. Seeing the actors today—whether they’re winning Oscars or winning in a courtroom—proves that the "Goonie" spirit of sticking together and being resourceful wasn't just in the script.
What You Can Do Next
If you’re feeling nostalgic after catching up on the cast, there are a few things you can actually do to dive deeper into this history without just scrolling through Instagram:
- Watch "The Goonies Reunited Apart" on YouTube. Josh Gad brought the whole cast (and Spielberg) together during the pandemic. It’s the most authentic look at their current dynamic.
- Read "Goonies: An Oral History." It provides context on the filming process that explains why these kids bonded so tightly.
- Visit Astoria, Oregon. The house is a private residence, but the town embraces the film. You can visit the Oregon Film Museum, which is housed in the actual jail from the opening scene.
The Goonies never say die, but they definitely grow up. And in this case, they grew up pretty well.