The Goonies Cast: What The Actors Are Doing Now, Including Sean Astin (original) (raw)
CinemaBlend participates in affiliate programs with various companies. We may earn a commission when you click on or make purchases via links.
Hey you guys!
With its thrilling and lovable mix of action, danger, mystery, and suspense, it's easy to see why Richard Donner's The Goonies became such a beloved '80s classic. From screenwriter Chris Columbus and executive producer Steven Spielberg, this fun and madcap family film is a delight to audiences young and old, and its nostalgic value hasn't ceased in the decades since its 1984 release. Starring Sean Astin, Josh Brolin, Corey Feldman, and Martha Plimpton, to name only a few of its child stars, the cult favorite jumpstarted the careers of several notable actors, though not everyone found the same fame. So, let's take this moment to see what The Goonies cast is doing now.
Unfortunately, several actors from this beloved movie, including John Matuszak, who played Sloth, and Mary Ellen Trainor, who played Irene Walsh, have since passed away. We'll take a moment to highlight Anne Ramsey's career towards the end of this article.
Sean Astin (Michael “Mikey” Walsh)
As Michael "Mikey" Walsh, the leader of this ragtag group of treasure seekers, Sean Astin plays the child protagonist in Richard Donner's beloved 1984 movie. Outside of this role, Astin is known for playing Samwise Gamgee in The Lord of the Rings trilogy and the titular character in Rudy. His other notable film credits include 50 First Dates, Click, Bulworth, Courage Under Fire, Encino Man, Toy Soldiers, The War of the Roses, Like Father Like Son, Memphis Belle, The Do-Over, and Gloria Bell. Additionally, Astin was Oscar-nominated for his 1995 short film, Kangaroo Court, which he also produced. He's also produced The Final Season, Do You Believe?, The Freemason, and Slipstream.
Furthermore, away from film, Sean Astin played Bob Newby in Netflix's Stranger Things and Lynn McGill in Fox's 24. He also starred in No Good Nick, The Strain, Special Agent Oso, Hercules, and Jeremiah. Most recently, Astin appeared in Hero Mode and the short film, Oh, the Guilt. Next, the actor will be seen in iMordecai and heard in Men & Witch.
Josh Brolin (Brandon “Brand” Walsh)
In the role of Brandon Walsh, i.e. "Brand," Mikey's athletic older brother, Josh Brolin found his first brushes of fame in this cult classic. Most notably, he was Oscar-nominated for his supporting turn in Milk. Furthermore, Brolin played Thanos in Guardians of the Galaxy and Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame. The actor also starred in No Country For Old Men, W., Men in Black 3, Labor Day, Oldboy, True Grit, Jonah Hex, Sin City: A Dame to Kill For, and the Sicario movies. Brolin's other film credits include Inherent Vice, Deadpool 2, Hollow Man, Only the Brave, Everest, Gangster Squad, Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps, American Gangster, Grindhouse, Mimic, The Mod Squad, The Legacy of a Whitetail Deer Hunter, and Hail, Ceasar!
Your Daily Blend of Entertainment News
Additionally, on TV, Josh Brolin starred in ABC's The Young Riders. He also appeared in Mister Sterling, Private Eye, and Winnetka Road. Next, Brolin will be seen in Flag Day, which premiered at Cannes, and Dune. He'll also star in Amazon Prime's Outer Range.
Corey Feldman (Clark “Mouth” Devereaux)
Playing the part of Clark Devereaux, better known as "Mouth" for his cheeky tongue, Corey Feldman received one of his most famous roles in The Goonies. As a child actor, Feldman starred in Stand By Me, Gremlins, Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter, The Lost Boys, License to Drive, The 'Burbs, and Dream a Little Dream. His other film credits include Meatballs 4, Voodoo, Maverick, National Lampoon's Loaded Weapon 1, Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV, Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No!, Time After Time, and Lost Boys: The Tribe and The Thirst. Additionally, Feldman is heard in The Fox and the Hound and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles I and III. He was also the director and star of Busted.
Outside of acting, Corey Feldman has six albums to his name. He's also the author of Coreyography: A Memoir. Most recently, Feldman lent his voice to Age to Stone and Sky: The Sorcerer Beast. Next, he'll be seen in 13 Fanboy and Tales from the Dead Zone.
Jeff Cohen (Lawrence “Chunk” Cohen)
As Lawrence "Chunk" Cohen, the portly, often berated, and serial fabulist member of The Goonies, Jeff Cohen played the comedic relief in Richard Donner's cult classic. The film remains his only theatrical release. Cohen also appeared in TV movies like Little Shots and Ask Max. Additionally, he lent his voice to Scooby-Doo and the Ghoul School.
Furthermore, on television, Jeff Cohen provided guest star appearances in Family Ties, The Facts of Life, Webster, Kids Incorporated, Amazing Stories, She's the Sheriff, and Tales from the Darkside. He can also be heard in Popeye and Son. In 1991, Cohen ended his acting career with Disney Channel's Perfect Harmony. Since then, the former child star became an entertainment lawyer, co-founding his own Beverly Hills firm. He also produced Motown Live, The Living Century, and Rise and Fall of Tuck Johnson.
Jonathan Ke Huy Quan (Richard “Data” Wang)
In the role of Richard Wang, i.e. "Data," an amateur gadget fanatic, Jonathan Ke Huy Quan plays a quick-thinking and tech-savvy character in The Goonies. Most famously, Quan is known for his role as Short Round in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. His other film credits include Encino Man, Breathing Fire, Red Pirate, It Takes a Thief, Passenger, Cousin Dave Stole the Cookie, and Second Time Around. Additionally, on television, Quan starred in ABC's Head of the Class. The child actor also appeared in Together We Stand, Tales from the Crypt, and The Big Eunuch and the Little Carpenter.
Additionally, outside of acting, Jonathan Ke Huy Quan worked as an assistant fight choreographer and stunt rigger for X-Men. He was also an assistant director to the action choreography on The One, as well as a stunt coordinator on 2009's short film, Engima. Furthermore, Quan was the editor and cinematographer for 1999's short film, Voodoo. Earlier this year, following a nearly two-decade retirement from acting, Quan was seen in Finding 'Ohana. Next, he'll appear in Everything Everywhere All At Once.
Kerri Green (Andrea Theresa “Andy” Carmichael)
Playing the part of Andrea Theresa "Andy" Carmichael, Brand's love interest, Kerri Green made her acting debut in this beloved '80s favorite. Following this film, the actress appeared in Summer Rental, Lucas, Three for the Road, and Blue Flame. Additionally, on TV, Green was a guest star on Mad About You, ER, Law & Order: SVU, Cafe American, Tainted Blood, The Burden of Proof, In the Heat of the Night, and Murder, She Wrote.
Moreover, Kerri Green can be seen in The Magical World of Disney, ABC Afterschool Specials, and Tainted Blood. Away from acting, she wrote, produced, and directed 1999's Bellyfruit, which was made through her film production company, Independent Women Artists. Meanwhile, on the screen, Green was last seen in 2012's Complacent.
Martha Plimpton (Stephanie “Stef” Steinbrenner)
As Stephanie Steinbrenner, a.k.a. "Stef," Andy's best friend, Martha Plimpton plays a fellow adventure-seeker in The Goonies. Most notably, Plimpton won an Emmy for her work as Patti Nyholm in CBS's The Good Wife. She was also Emmy-nominated for her lead role in Fox's Raising Hope and her guest turn in Law & Order: SVU. Additionally, Plimpton received Tony nominations for The Coast of Utopia, Top Girls, and Pal Joey.
Furthermore, Martha Plimpton's other notable film credits include Parenthood, The Mosquito Coast, Running on Empty, Shy People, 200 Cigarettes, Remember Me, Pecker, Beautiful Girls, I Shot Andy Warhol, Samantha, Stanley & Iris, Rollover, Another Woman, and Stars and Bars. Moreover, the actress lent her voice to Frozen II and Hair High. Additionally, on television, Plimpton was the star of ABC's The Real O'Neals and she appeared in Brockmire, The Blacklist, Younger, How to Make It In America, ER, Grey's Anatomy, Medium, and Fringe. Most recently, she starred in HBO Max's Generation. Next, Plimpton will lead Mass, which premiered at this year's Sundance Film Festival.
Robert Davi (Jake Fratelli)
In the role of Jake Fratelli, Mama Fratelli's intimidating counterfeiter son, Robert Davi plays a menacing antagonist in this '80s staple. Having appeared in over 130 movies, Davi is best known for his performances in Die Hard, License to Kill, Predator 2, and Showgirls. His other notable film credits include The Hot Chick, In the Mix, Kill the Irishman, The Expendables 3, Cops and Robbersons, Son of the Pink Panther, Maniac Cop 2, Raw Deal, City Heat, and Action Jackson. Davi also wrote, produced, directed, and starred in The Dukes and produced and directed Magic. Additionally, on TV, he can be seen in Stargate: Atlantis, Profiler, The Gangster Chronicles, and St. Elsewhere.
Most recently, Robert Davi appeared in Roe v. Wade. Next, he'll be seen in a number of movies, including Big Life, Spring Break '83, I Love Us, Four Cousins and a Christmas, 8 Winds, Night of the Falling Skies, Under the Dark, The Lurking Fear, Reagan, Dark Angels: The Demon Pit, and The Man Who Drew God. He'll also star in Paper Empire.
Joe Pantoliano (Francis Fratelli)
Playing the part of Francis Fratelli, Mama Fratelli's other son, Joe Pantoliano provided a notable supporting turn in The Goonies. A prominent character actor with over 100 credits on his resume, Pantoliano's most famous film credits include The Matrix, Memento, La Bamba, Bound, The Fugitive, Risky Business, and the Bad Boys movies. Additionally, he provided supporting turns in Daredevil, The Adventures of Pluto Nash, Ready to Rumble, U.S. Marshals, Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief, Black and White, Baby's Day Out, Midnight Run, Running Scared, and Empire of the Sun.
Additionally, on TV, Joe Pantoliano won an Emmy for his portrayal of Ralphie Cifaretto in HBO's The Sopranos. He can also be seen in Hill Street Blues, MAS*H, The Fanelli Boys, NYPD Blue, EZ Streets, The Handler, How to Make it in America, and Sense8. The actor also wrote two books, including 2013's Asylum, and founded the nonprofit, No Kidding, Me Too! Most recently, Pantoliano guest-starred on MacGyver. Next, he'll be seen in Short Straw, Spring Break '83, Hide and Seek, and the short film, Man of War.
Anne Ramsey (Mama Fratelli)
As Mama Fratelli, the menacing and ruthless crime matriarch, Anne Ramsey gave arguably her most famous performance in this '80s favorite. She was also Oscar-nominated for her supporting turn in Throw Momma from the Train. Her other movie credits include Scrooged, Any Which Way You Can, Goin' South, National Lampoon's Class Reunion, Dr. Hackenstein, Weeds, Love at Stake, Deadly Friend, Meet the Hollowheads, and Homer and Eddie. Additionally, on TV, Ramsey can be seen in ALF, Hill Street Blues, Knight Rider, Wonder Woman, CHiPs, Charlie's Angels, Laverne & Shirley, Three's Company, Family Ties, Night Court, Ironside, and Murder She Wrote. In 1988, following the return of her esophageal cancer, Rasmey passed away. She was 59.
Stream The Goonies on Peacock.
Will is an entertainment writer based in Pittsburgh, PA. His writing can also be found in The Playlist, Cut Print Film, We Got This Covered, The Young Folks, Slate and other outlets. He also co-hosts the weekly film/TV podcast Cinemaholics with Jon Negroni and he likes to think he's a professional Garfield enthusiast.