“The Goonies” remains one of the most beloved adventure movies of the 1980s. Released in 1985, the film introduced audiences to a group of misfit kids searching for pirate treasure, and its mix of comedy, danger, friendship, and heart has kept it popular for generations. Interest in the movie grew again after former Goonie Ke Huy Quan received a 2023 Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in “Everything Everywhere All at Once.”
Here is a look at what happened to the main cast members of “The Goonies” after the film became a cult classic. After all, Goonies never say die.
Then: Sean Astin
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“Goonies” character: Mikey Walsh
Age when “The Goonies” was released: 14
After Goonies: Sean Astin
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Age in 2023: 51
Net worth: $10 million
Career highlights: “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, “Stranger Things”
Bottom line: Sean Astin played Mikey Walsh, the determined and hopeful leader of the Goonies. The son of Patty Duke and actor John Astin, he went on to build a long and successful screen career.
Astin became internationally known for playing Samwise Gamgee in “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, one of the most celebrated fantasy film series of all time. He later earned new fans with his role as Bob Newby in “Stranger Things,” where he played Joyce Byers’ kindhearted boyfriend.
Then: Josh Brolin
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“Goonies” character: Brand Walsh
Age when “The Goonies” was released: 17
After Goonies: Josh Brolin
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Age in 2023: 54
Net worth: $45 million
Career highlights: “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” “Avengers: Infinity War,” “Avengers: Endgame,” “Guardians of the Galaxy,” “No Country for Old Men,” “W.”
Bottom line: Josh Brolin played Brand Walsh, Mikey’s protective older brother. After “The Goonies,” he continued acting steadily and eventually became one of Hollywood’s most recognizable stars.
Brolin received an Academy Award nomination for “Milk,” in which he portrayed Dan White, the San Francisco politician who murdered Harvey Milk and Mayor George Moscone. Modern audiences also know him for playing Thanos in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Then: Corey Feldman
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“Goonies” character: Mouth
Age when “The Goonies” was released: 14
After Goonies: Corey Feldman
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Age in 2023: 51
Net worth: $1 million
Career highlights: “The Lost Boys,” “Stand By Me,” “Dream a Little Dream”
Bottom line: Corey Feldman played Mouth, the fast-talking Goonie with a sharp sense of humor. He remained a familiar face throughout the 1980s, appearing in several popular films that made him one of the era’s best-known young actors.
In later years, Feldman became known not only for acting but also for music and advocacy. He has spoken publicly about child sexual abuse in Hollywood, hosted “Corey Feldman’s Truth Campaign,” and wrote the memoir “Coreyography,” released in 2013. In 2022, he toured the United States with his band.
Then: Jeff Cohen
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“Goonies” character: Chunk
Age when “The Goonies” was released: 11
After Goonies: Jeff Cohen
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Age in 2023: 48
Net worth: $4 million
Career highlights: Cohen left the entertainment business in the late 1980s.
Bottom line: Jeff Cohen played Chunk, the lovable Goonie famous for the Truffle Shuffle. Although the role made him a fan favorite, he eventually stepped away from acting.
After attending Loyola Law School, Cohen became an entertainment attorney and later a partner at Cohen Gardner, LLP. He has also spoken at universities and industry events about entertainment law and his transition from child actor to lawyer. Cohen later represented his “Goonies” co-star Ke Huy Quan and negotiated Quan’s contract for “Everything Everywhere All at Once.”
Then: Ke Huy Quan
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“Goonies” character: Data
Age when “The Goonies” was released: 14
After Goonies: Ke Huy Quan
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Age in 2023: 51
Net worth: $1 million
Career highlights: “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom,” “Encino Man,” “Everything Everywhere All at Once”
Bottom line: Ke Huy Quan played Data, the inventive Goonie whose homemade gadgets often helped the group through danger. After a promising start in the 1980s, he struggled to find consistent acting roles.
Quan later worked behind the camera, including stunt coordination, video game design, and animation. He returned to acting with “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” playing Waymond Wang. The role brought him widespread acclaim and a 2023 Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
Then: Kerri Green
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“Goonies” character: Andy Carmichael
Age when “The Goonies” was released: 19
After Goonies: Kerri Green
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Age in 2023: 56
Net worth: $2 million
Career highlights: “Lucas,” “Summer Rental”
Bottom line: Kerri Green played Andy Carmichael, the cheerleader who becomes part of the Goonies’ adventure and serves as a love interest for Brand Walsh.
After the film, Green appeared in movies and television, including small roles on shows such as “ER” and “Law & Order.” She also founded Independent Women Artists and co-wrote and directed the 1999 film “Bellyfull,” a drama about teen pregnancy. In later years, she has appeared at fan conventions with fellow “Goonies” cast members.
Then: Martha Plimpton
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“Goonies” character: Stephanie “Stef” Steinbrenner
Age when “The Goonies” was released: 15
After Goonies: Martha Plimpton
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Age in 2023: 52
Net worth: $4.5 million
Career highlights: “The Mosquito Coast,” “Parenthood,” “Raising Hope,” “The Good Wife”
Bottom line: Martha Plimpton played Stef, Andy’s best friend and one of the most sarcastic members of the group. She began working as a child actor and model before becoming a respected performer in film, television, and theater.
Plimpton found success on television with shows such as “Raising Hope” and “The Good Wife,” while also maintaining a strong stage career. She has received recognition for her theater work and is also known for activism, especially in reproductive rights and animal welfare.
Then: Joe Pantoliano
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“Goonies” character: Francis Fratelli
Age when “The Goonies” was released: 34
After Goonies: Joe Pantoliano
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Age in 2023: 71
Net worth: $8 million
Career highlights: “The Sopranos,” “La Bamba,” “The Fugitive,” “The Matrix,” “Memento,” the “Bad Boys” trilogy, “Hill Street Blues,” “NYPD Blue”
Bottom line: Joe Pantoliano, often called “Joey Pants,” played Francis Fratelli, one of the criminal brothers chasing the Goonies. He has continued acting across film, television, and stage, often portraying villains or tough characters.
One of his most acclaimed roles came in “The Sopranos,” where he played Ralph Cifaretto. His performance earned him an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 2003. Off screen, Pantoliano has advocated for mental health awareness and has written about his experiences with depression and anxiety.
Then: John Matuszak
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“Goonies” character: Sloth
Age when “The Goonies” was released: 35
After Goonies: John Matuszak
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Age in 2023: Deceased in 1989
Net worth: $400,000 at the time of death
Career highlights: Matuszak played in the NFL for the Houston Oilers, Kansas City Chiefs, Washington Redskins, and the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders.
Bottom line: John Matuszak played Sloth, the physically deformed Fratelli brother who is kept locked away by his criminal family. Sloth becomes one of the film’s most memorable characters after bonding with Chunk and helping the Goonies during their treasure hunt.
Before acting, Matuszak was known to football fans for his NFL career. He struggled with addiction to painkillers and other drugs, reportedly linked to back pain from his years in football. He died of an overdose in 1989.
Then: Robert Davi
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“Goonies” character: Jake Fratelli
Age when “The Goonies” was released: 32
After Goonies: Robert Davi
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Age in 2023: 70
Net worth: $2 million
Career highlights: “Licence to Kill,” “Profiler”
Bottom line: Robert Davi played Jake Fratelli, another member of the villainous family pursuing the Goonies. Over the years, he has appeared in films, television shows, and stage productions, often playing tough men and villains.
Davi also had a strong interest in singing from an early age, and his musical side even appears briefly in “The Goonies” when Jake sings to Sloth. While he still acts, he has also focused on music and has released several albums of standards, including “The House I Live In” in 2020.
Then: Anne Ramsey
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“Goonies” character: Mama Fratelli
Age when “The Goonies” was released: 56
After Goonies: Anne Ramsey
IMDb
Age in 2023: Deceased in 1988
Net worth: N/A
Career highlights: “Throw Momma from the Train”
Bottom line: Anne Ramsey played Mama Fratelli, the fearsome matriarch of the Fratelli family. Her commanding performance made the character one of the most memorable villains in “The Goonies,” and she won a Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress for the role.
Ramsey’s distinctive speech, which became part of her screen presence in the 1980s, was the result of cancer-related surgeries. She died from cancer in 1988, leaving behind a small but unforgettable collection of performances.