Where They Are Now: The Cast of The Goonies Today and Why We’re Still Obsessed

Growing up in the 80s meant you basically had two choices: you were either a Goonie or you were a Monster Squad kid. Most of us chose the Truffle Shuffle. It’s been decades since that ragtag group of kids went underground in Astoria, Oregon, to find One-Eyed Willy’s treasure, yet the fascination with the cast of the Goonies today hasn't faded even a little bit. We’re still looking for that map. We’re still waiting for the sequel that keeps getting teased and then snatched away.

Honestly, the way these actors' lives diverged is wilder than the movie itself. You've got Oscar winners, powerhouse producers, and people who just walked away from the flickering lights of Hollywood to live normal lives. It’s rare. Usually, child stars either burn out or fade out, but this group? They stayed relevant in the weirdest, most heartwarming ways.

The Powerhouses: From Astoria to the Oscars

If you told someone in 1985 that the kid with the asthma inhaler and the kid who kept saying "Hey you guys!" would become two of the most respected figures in modern cinema, they’d probably tell you to lay off the Baby Ruths. But here we are.

Sean Astin, who played our leader Mikey Walsh, didn't just stop at finding pirate gold. He went on to save Middle-earth. His role as Samwise Gamgee in The Lord of the Rings solidified him as the ultimate "loyal best friend" in cinematic history. It's a heavy mantle to carry. Even today, Astin is a staple of the nerd-culture circuit, appearing in Stranger Things—a show that literally wouldn't exist without the DNA of The Goonies. He’s also a massive advocate for mental health, often speaking about his mother, Patty Duke, and her struggles. He’s busy. He runs marathons. He’s basically the adult version of Mikey: determined, slightly breathless, and always moving forward.

Then there is the Ke Huy Quan renaissance. This is arguably the greatest comeback story in the history of the industry. For years, Quan was the "where are they now" poster child. He couldn’t get roles. He felt the industry didn't want him. He pivoted to working behind the scenes as a stunt coordinator and assistant director, working with the legendary Wong Kar-wai.

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Then came Everything Everywhere All at Once.

Watching Quan sweep the 2023 awards season was a collective emotional experience for anyone who grew up watching Data’s "pinchers of peril." When he shouted, "Mom, I just won an Oscar!" the world wept. Seeing the cast of the Goonies today means seeing Quan at the absolute peak of his powers, starring in Loki and American Born Chinese. He’s no longer just the kid with the gadgets; he’s a world-class actor who proved that the "Goonies never say die" mantra wasn't just a script line.

The Career Shifts and the Quiet Lives

Not everyone stayed in front of the lens. Some realized that the frantic energy of a Richard Donner set was enough for one lifetime.

Jeff Cohen, better known as Chunk, is the prime example. He didn't just grow out of the Hawaiian shirts; he completely transformed. If you saw him on the street today, you wouldn't recognize him. He’s a high-powered entertainment lawyer in Beverly Hills. Seriously. He co-founded Cohen & Gardner, LLP. It’s poetic, in a way. The kid who was interrogated by the Fratellis is now the guy you want in your corner during a brutal contract negotiation. He actually helped negotiate Ke Huy Quan’s deal for Everything Everywhere All at Once. That’s real-life Goonie loyalty.

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Josh Brolin, of course, went the opposite direction. He became a titan. Brand, Mikey’s older brother, was Brolin’s debut. He had a rough patch afterward, doing some TV work and films that didn't quite land, but then No Country for Old Men happened. Now, he’s Thanos. He’s Gurney Halleck in Dune. Brolin is the gritty, gravel-voiced elder statesman of the group. He’s often the one posting nostalgic photos on Instagram, acknowledging that without Brand’s bandana, he might not be where he is today.

The Rest of the Crew

• Corey Feldman (Mouth): Feldman’s journey has been the most public and, frankly, the most difficult. He’s become a polarizing figure, focusing heavily on his music and his advocacy for reform regarding the treatment of child actors in Hollywood. He’s still active, still Mouth, and still very much in the public eye, often performing with his band.
• Martha Plimpton (Stef): Plimpton is an acting powerhouse. She didn't go the blockbuster route like Brolin. Instead, she became a Broadway vet and a TV staple, winning an Emmy for her guest role on The Good Wife and starring in the cult favorite Raising Hope. She’s arguably the most "actor's actor" of the bunch.
• Kerri Green (Andy): Green stepped back from the limelight fairly early. While she appeared in a few projects and co-founded a film production company called Independent Women Artists, she’s largely kept her private life private.

Why the Goonies Sequel Never Happens (And Why That’s Okay)

Every two years, a rumor sparks up. "The script is finished!" "Spielberg is on board!" "The original cast is back!"

It’s exhausting.

The truth about the cast of the Goonies today is that they are all so vastly different that capturing that lightning in a bottle again is statistically impossible. Richard Donner, the director who was the "big kid" on set and the glue holding them together, passed away in 2021. Without his vision and his ability to wrangle their chaotic energy, a sequel feels like it would be a pale imitation.

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Most fans think they want Goonies 2, but what they actually want is to feel ten years old again. You can't write a script for that. The actors know this. Brolin and Astin have both expressed skepticism in the past, noting that the "magic" was a specific time and place.

The Fratelli Legacy and Sloth

We can’t talk about the cast without mentioning the villains and the hero in the basement. Robert Davi and Joe Pantoliano (Jake and Francis Fratelli) are legendary character actors who never stopped working. Pantoliano went on to The Sopranos and The Matrix, while Davi became one of the screen's most recognizable tough guys and a professional crooner.

The most tragic part of looking at the cast today is the absence of John Matuszak (Sloth) and Anne Ramsey (Mama Fratelli). Matuszak, a former NFL player, died tragically young in 1989. Ramsey passed away shortly after the film's success. Their performances gave the movie its stakes and its heart. Without Sloth, Mikey never learns that true beauty is on the inside. Without Mama Fratelli, there’s no real danger.

How to Experience The Goonies Lore Today

If you're looking for more than just a trip down memory lane, there are actual ways to engage with this history.

1. Visit Astoria, Oregon: The "Goonies House" is a real residence. While the owners have had a complicated relationship with fans over the years, the town itself embraces its history. You can visit the Oregon Film Museum, which is housed in the actual old jail from the movie's opening scene.
2. The Ke Huy Quan Connection: If you want to see the spiritual successor to the Goonies' energy, watch his behind-the-scenes footage from the 80s. It’s pure joy and explains why his comeback resonated so deeply.
3. The 35th Anniversary Reunion: During the pandemic, Josh Gad hosted a "Reunited Apart" episode on YouTube featuring the entire cast and crew. It is the definitive look at the cast of the Goonies today, showing their chemistry hasn't aged a day.

The reality is that The Goonies isn't just a movie anymore. It’s a cultural touchstone for a generation that was told they could find something extraordinary in their own backyard. The cast reflects that. They are a mix of massive success, quiet normalcy, and resilient survival. They didn't just make a movie; they lived a shared experience that bonded them for life.

If you want to keep up with them, follow Jeff Cohen on LinkedIn for legal insights—no, really—and keep an eye on Brolin's filmography for the next big epic. The treasure wasn't the gold in the ship; it was the fact that they all actually turned out okay. Which, for child stars from the 80s, is the biggest miracle of all.