Growing up in the 80s meant basically living at the movie theater, and if you weren't obsessed with One-Eyed Willy's treasure, were you even there? It’s wild. We look at the Goonies cast then and now and expect to see a group of people who just stayed frozen in time, wearing yellow slickers and braces. But the reality is way messier, more successful, and in some cases, surprisingly quiet.
Most nostalgia trips focus on the "where are they now" trope like it’s a tragedy if someone isn't starring in a Marvel movie. Honestly, though? The trajectory of this specific group of kids is one of the most statistically improbable things in Hollywood history. Usually, child ensembles flame out. This group didn't. They just shifted shapes.
The Ke Huy Quan Resurrection Nobody Saw Coming
Let’s talk about Ke Huy Quan. For decades, he was the poster child for the "where did he go?" conversation regarding the Goonies cast then and now. After playing Data and Short Round in Indiana Jones, the roles just stopped. Hollywood had a very narrow, frankly embarrassing box for Asian actors in the 90s.
He didn't just sit around waiting for the phone to ring. He went behind the camera. He worked on stunts for X-Men. He assisted Wong Kar-wai. Then, Everything Everywhere All at Once happened. Watching him sweep the 2023 awards season was a gut punch for anyone who grew up with his gadgets. It wasn't just a comeback; it was a total reclamation of a career that the industry tried to bury. He’s now a core part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe via Loki. That’s a 40-year arc that defies every rule in the book.
Sean Astin: From Mikey to Middle-earth
Sean Astin is the anchor. If you're tracking the Goonies cast then and now, he’s the one who stayed the most visible, but in completely different genres.
He stayed busy.
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He went from being the asthmatic kid looking for pirate gold to being the actual heart of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Samwise Gamgee is arguably a bigger cultural touchstone than Mikey Walsh. But have you seen him lately? He’s transitioned into this incredibly reliable character actor. He was Bob Newby in Stranger Things—a role that basically paid homage to his 80s roots before breaking everyone’s hearts. He also does a massive amount of voice acting. He’s been Raphael in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Shazam in various DC animated projects. He’s the blue-collar worker of the group. He shows up, does the work, and stays out of the tabloids.
Josh Brolin and the "Thanos" Transformation
It is still hilarious to me that Brand, the older brother in the grey sweatsuit, became the most powerful villain in cinematic history. Josh Brolin’s career is the biggest outlier when looking at the Goonies cast then and now.
He had a long dry spell. People forget that.
For years, he was just "that guy from that 80s movie" or "James Brolin’s son." Then No Country for Old Men hit in 2007. Suddenly, he was a gritty, prestige-cinema powerhouse. Since then, it’s been Sicario, Dune, and obviously, Thanos. He’s the only one who successfully transitioned into a bona fide A-list leading man in his 40s and 50s. Most child stars don't get a second act that eclipses their first by such a wide margin.
Corey Feldman and the Reality of Child Stardom
We have to be real here. Corey Feldman’s journey is the one people point to when they want to talk about the darker side of the industry. While others found stable footing, Feldman became a lightning rod for controversy and a very public struggle with the trauma of his youth.
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He’s still active, mostly in indie films and his music career, which—let’s be honest—is polarizing. But he’s also become a vocal advocate for child actors. Whether you agree with his methods or not, his place in the Goonies cast then and now narrative is vital because it represents the survival aspect of being a kid in 1980s Los Angeles. He didn't disappear, but he definitely didn't take the "safe" Hollywood path.
Jeff Cohen: From Truffle Shuffle to Law Partner
This is my favorite one. Chunk.
Everyone wants Jeff Cohen to still be doing the Truffle Shuffle. He isn't. He’s a high-powered entertainment lawyer in Beverly Hills.
- He founded Cohen Gardner LLP.
- He represents major stars and directors.
- He looks completely different (the "now" part of his transformation is the most drastic).
When Ke Huy Quan was negotiating his contract for Everything Everywhere All at Once, his lawyer was... Jeff Cohen. Chunk was literally looking out for Data 35 years later. If that doesn't make you feel things, I don't know what will. It’s the ultimate "Goonies never say die" moment in real life.
Martha Plimpton and Kerri Green: The Different Paths
Martha Plimpton (Stef) is a powerhouse. If you haven't seen her on Broadway or in Raising Hope, you’re missing out. She’s an actor’s actor. She’s won Emmys and been nominated for Tonys. She chose the craft over the celebrity machine.
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Then there’s Kerri Green (Andy). She’s the one who mostly stepped away. She did some directing and co-founded a film production company (Independent Women Artists), but she largely opted for a private life. It’s a reminder that "success" doesn't always mean being on a red carpet in 2026. Sometimes it just means taking the money from a cult classic and living a normal life.
The Enduring Legacy and What to Do With It
The fascination with the Goonies cast then and now isn't just about aging. It’s about the fact that this specific group of people actually likes each other. They show up for each other's charity events. They reunite on Zoom during the pandemic and it doesn't feel forced or corporate.
If you’re looking to dive deeper into this world, don't just scroll through Instagram "glow-up" posts. There are actual ways to engage with their current work that respects where they are now.
- Watch 'Everything Everywhere All at Once' specifically through the lens of Ke Huy Quan’s 20-year hiatus. It changes the emotional weight of the "in another life" monologue.
- Check out 'The Goonies' 4K restoration and listen to the commentary track. The chemistry between the kids (now adults) is palpable and reveals how much of the dialogue was actually improvised.
- Follow Jeff Cohen’s legal columns. He writes for Variety and The Hollywood Reporter sometimes. It’s fascinating to see the "funny kid" as a sharp-witted industry strategist.
- Support the 'Goonies' film locations in Astoria, Oregon. The Oregon Film Museum is located in the old jail from the opening scene. It’s a non-profit that keeps the history of the 80s film boom alive.
The real takeaway here is that careers aren't linear. You can be a child star, a washed-up actor, a stunt coordinator, and an Oscar winner all in one lifetime. The "now" is always changing.
Next Steps for Fans
If you want to stay updated on the cast's current projects without the tabloid fluff, the best resource is actually the SAG-AFTRA Foundation's "Conversations" series on YouTube. They have long-form interviews with Astin, Brolin, and Quan where they discuss the technical side of their transition from child actors to veterans. Also, keep an eye on the Astoria-Warrenton Chamber of Commerce; they coordinate the official "Goonies Day" celebrations every June, which often feature surprise appearances or recorded messages from the original cast members who still support the local community that hosted them in 1984.