The Goonies, the beloved 1985 adventure film that defined a generation, is celebrating its monumental 40th Anniversary in 2025, sparking fresh curiosity about the fate of the intrepid young cast. It's a tale of childhood friends—Mikey, Brand, Chunk, Mouth, Data, Andy, and Stef—who set out on a thrilling quest for One-Eyed Willy's treasure to save their homes, and their real-life journeys have proven to be just as dramatic and unexpected as the movie's plot.
As of late 2024 and heading into 2025, the stars of the Richard Donner-directed, Steven Spielberg-produced classic have reached new, astonishing heights. One cast member has achieved the highest honor in Hollywood, another has become one of the industry's most powerful dealmakers, and a third is poised to dominate the 2025 blockbuster movie slate. Their current careers demonstrate that for this iconic group, the adventure truly never said die.
The Goonies Cast: Full Biography and Current Status (2025 Update)
The core group of seven "Goonies" have followed vastly different paths since their treasure-hunting days in Astoria, Oregon. Here is a detailed look at the main cast, their iconic roles, and their most recent, high-profile projects as the film approaches its 40th birthday.
- Ke Huy Quan (Richard "Data" Wang)
- Character Role: The inventive tech genius, equipped with his signature "Data's gadgets."
- Current Status: Actor, Academy Award Winner.
- Recent Projects: Quan made a triumphant return to acting after a two-decade hiatus, culminating in a historic Best Supporting Actor Oscar win in 2023 for his role in *Everything Everywhere All at Once*. He is the first Vietnam-born actor to win an Academy Award. His career resurgence is one of Hollywood's most celebrated comeback stories.
- Josh Brolin (Brandon "Brand" Walsh)
- Character Role: Mikey's older, protective, and often frustrated brother.
- Current Status: A-List Actor, Blockbuster Star.
- Recent Projects: Brolin has become a major force in Hollywood, known for playing iconic comic book villains like Thanos in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Cable in *Deadpool 2*. His momentum continues into 2025, which is being called a "year of Josh Brolin" with major roles in films like the mystery horror *Weapons*.
- Sean Astin (Michael "Mikey" Walsh)
- Character Role: The asthmatic, determined leader of the Goonies who drives the quest for One-Eyed Willy's treasure.
- Current Status: Actor, Director, Producer, Political Activist.
- Recent Projects: Astin, also famous for playing Samwise Gamgee in *The Lord of the Rings* and Bob Newby in *Stranger Things*, is making his highly anticipated Broadway debut as Santa in *Elf The Musical* from late 2024 to early 2025. He is also actively involved in *The Goonies* 40th anniversary Q&A events and recently won the election for President of SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists).
- Jeff Cohen (Lawrence "Chunk" Cohen)
- Character Role: The clumsy, food-loving member famous for inventing the "Truffle Shuffle."
- Current Status: Top Hollywood Entertainment Lawyer.
- Recent Projects: In a stunning pivot, Cohen retired from acting after *The Goonies* to pursue a career in law. He is now a co-founder of the Beverly Hills-based entertainment law firm Cohen Gardner LLP, specializing in corporate, technology, media, and entertainment transactions. He is recognized as a leading global dealmaker in the entertainment industry.
- Corey Feldman (Clark "Mouth" Devereaux)
- Character Role: The sarcastic, multilingual, and quick-witted member.
- Current Status: Actor, Musician, Activist.
- Recent Projects: Feldman, a major figure in 80s cinema (also known for *Stand by Me* and *The Lost Boys*), continues to act and focus on his music career. He is scheduled to participate in a *Stand by Me* 40th Anniversary Tour in late 2025, reuniting with co-stars Jerry O'Connell and Wil Wheaton.
- Martha Plimpton (Stephanie "Stef" Steinbrenner)
- Character Role: Andy's cynical best friend, who often provides witty commentary.
- Current Status: Emmy Award-Winning Actress (Stage and Screen).
- Recent Projects: Plimpton has maintained a robust career across film, television, and Broadway, including an Emmy win for her guest role in *The Good Wife*. She is slated for new projects in 2025 and has recently been seen in high-profile series like *Good Omens* and is joining the cast of a Mark Ruffalo-led HBO series.
- Kerri Green (Andrea "Andy" Carmichael)
- Character Role: The popular cheerleader who is initially Brand's love interest.
- Current Status: Actress, Writer, Director, Artist.
- Recent Projects: Following her early success in *The Goonies* and *Lucas*, Green has focused more on work behind the camera, co-writing and directing the film *Bellyfruit*. More recently, she has embraced a creative life as an artist and writer while raising a family.
From Pirate Ships to Oscar Stages: The Ke Huy Quan Phenomenon
The most compelling and recent development among all the Goonies is the incredible career trajectory of Ke Huy Quan. His story is a powerful testament to perseverance and the unexpected turns of fate in Hollywood. After his iconic roles as Data and Short Round in *Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom*, Quan struggled to find acting roles in the 1990s and pivoted to working as a stunt coordinator and assistant director.
His return to acting in 2022 was sparked by the success of *Crazy Rich Asians*, which inspired him to try again. His role as Waymond Wang in *Everything Everywhere All at Once* was met with universal acclaim, leading to a Golden Globe, a Screen Actors Guild Award (making him the first Asian man to win an individual SAG category), and the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
This achievement has not only solidified his place in Hollywood history but has also served as a focal point for recent cast reunions, with his former Goonies co-stars, including Josh Brolin, gathering to celebrate his monumental success.
The 40th Anniversary Celebration: Goonies Never Say Die in 2025
The year 2025 marks the 40th anniversary of *The Goonies*, and the celebrations are already ramping up, providing fans with numerous opportunities to revisit the film and its stars. This milestone is a major topical hook, bringing renewed attention to the film’s legacy and the current lives of the cast.
The coastal town of Astoria, Oregon—the actual filming location for the Goon Docks—is preparing to host a massive "Goonies Weekend" from June 5–8, 2025, welcoming fans from around the world for a birthday bash filled with nostalgia and adventure. These events often feature appearances by cast members, including Sean Astin, who is known to participate in screenings and Q&A sessions.
Furthermore, the film's enduring popularity is being celebrated through unique events like a *The Goonies In Concert* event, where the Chicago Philharmonic will perform the film's score live to the movie in April 2025. These activities highlight the movie's status as a cultural touchstone and show that the spirit of the Goonies remains alive and well four decades later.
From Chunk to Cohen Gardner LLP: The Hollywood Lawyer Pivot
Perhaps the most unexpected and successful career change belongs to Jeff Cohen, the actor who brought the iconic, lovable Chunk to life. After leaving acting, Cohen attended law school and is now a powerful transactional entertainment lawyer. His firm, Cohen Gardner LLP, is a highly respected boutique practice in Beverly Hills, where he handles complex deals involving technology, media, and licensing.
Cohen's transition from performing the 'Truffle Shuffle' to negotiating multi-million dollar deals is a fascinating Hollywood footnote. He now represents major production companies, writers, and actors—a twist of fate that places him firmly behind the scenes of the industry he once starred in. This unique journey from child star to dealmaker gives him a powerful perspective, and he is frequently recognized as one of the leading global entertainment attorneys.
The combined success of the cast, from Ke Huy Quan's Oscar to Josh Brolin's consistent blockbuster presence (including his role as Cable), and the stunning career pivot of Jeff Cohen, confirms that *The Goonies* was more than just a movie; it was a launching pad for a group of young actors whose lives continue to captivate audiences worldwide. The 40th Anniversary in 2025 is set to be a major cultural event, reminding everyone that true Goonies never say die.
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