The iconic '80s movie, The Goonies, will be toasting its big 4-0 in June 2025. The action started in '85 with a bunch of kids – the eponymous Goonies – embarking on an epic quest for One-Eyed Willy's hidden pirate loot.
They became famous with their battle cry "Goonies never say die!" while dodging the dastardly Fratelli family, who were also hunting the treasure. This flick is a treasured gem for many who were youngsters in the 80s.
Fast forward to today, and the original cast members, those seven adventurous kids and the rest of the gang from Astoria, Oregon, have led quite the varied lifestyles since their days of hunting for gold.
Sean Astin as Michael 'Mikey' Walsh
As Mikey, Sean Astin was top dog of the Goonies. And post-Goonies fame saw Sean carving out an impressively long career on screen.
You might recognise him as the loyal Hobbit Samwise Gamgee in the Lord of the Rings series, bagging himself and his fellow actors a SAG Award for the impressive Ensemble Performance in a film. On top of that, Sean appeared in hits including 1993's Rudy and 2004's 50 First Dates, not to mention popping up in Netflix's hit show Stranger Things season two in 2017.
Sean tied the knot with Christine Harrell in 1992. The couple share three daughters: Alexandra, Elizabeth, and Isabella.
He is also recognised for his charitable work, particularly with the National Center for Family Literacy and his advocacy for mental health awareness. His latest acting gig was in Love Hurts, which premiered in February this year.
Josh Brolin as Brandon 'Brand' Walsh
Josh Brolin took on the role of Brandon 'Brand' Walsh, Mikey's protective older brother. Josh, the son of acting icon James Brolin, has since carved out a successful career in Hollywood.
He bagged an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in 2008's Milk, and has featured in films such as 2007's No Country for Old Men, 2010's True Grit, and both of director Denis Villeneuve's Dune films. Josh also earned widespread acclaim for portraying intergalactic villain Thanos - beneath all the makeup and CGI - in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Josh has walked down the aisle three times - first to actress Alice Adair in 1988, with whom he shares two children, then to actress Diane Lane in 2004, and finally to his former assistant and model Kathryn Boyd in 2016. The couple welcomed a daughter in 2018. His most recent acting role was in last year's Brothers.
Jeff Cohen as Lawrence 'Chunk' Cohen
Jeff Cohen, who played the clumsy yet endearing Chunk in The Goonies - known for his iconic dance The Truffle Shuffle - transitioned from acting to law. He co-founded the law firm Cohen Gardner LLP in 2002, specialising in entertainment law.
Jeff has made a name for himself as a leading lawyer in the industry, penning articles for outlets like The Huffington Post and teaching as an adjunct professor at UCLA School of Law. He even negotiated Goonies co-star Ke Huy Quan's involvement in Everything Everywhere All at Once, which won him an Oscar. His last acting gig was in Perfect Harmony back in 1991.
Corey Feldman as Clark 'Mouth' Devereaux
Corey Feldman took on the role of Clark 'Mouth' Devereaux, remembered for his sharp wit and chatty nature. Corey was a big deal in the 80s, starring in popular films like Stand by Me in 1986 and The Lost Boys in 1987. More recently, he has been vocal about child abuse in Hollywood, sharing his own experiences and campaigning to raise awareness.
Corey's personal life has seen its fair share of ups and downs, including battles with drug addiction. He was friends with Michael Jackson and has been married three times: first to Vanessa Marcil from 1989 to 1993, then to Susie Sprague from 2002 to 2014, and currently to Courtney Anne Mitchell since 2016.
He continues to chase his dreams in music and acting, while also being heavily involved in activism. His most recent appearance was in SAVJ in 2022.
Ke Huy Quan as Richard 'Data' Wang
Ke Huy Quan brought to life the character of Data, the group's inventive gadgeteer. This wasn't his only stint in an iconic 80s classic - just a year earlier he had a memorable role alongside Harrison Ford as Short Round in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.
However, after these two roles, he found it difficult to secure work and has been vocal about the scarcity of roles for Asian actors in Hollywood. He studied film at the University of Southern California and worked as a stunt coordinator and assistant director on various projects.
But just a few years ago, he made a remarkable comeback to the big screen - bagging an Oscar for Best Actor in a Supporting Role in 2022's Everything Everywhere All at Once. Since then, he has become a sought-after star, featuring in the second season of Marvel's Loki series, among others. His most recent appearance was alongside his Goonies co-star Sean Astin in Love Hurts.
Kerri Green as Andrea 'Andy' Carmichael
Kerri Green played Andy, the cheerleader and Brand's love interest. After The Goonies, Kerri featured in films like Lucas in 1986 and Three for the Road in 1987.
She later co-founded Independent Women Artists, a film production company, and directed the film Bellyfruit in 1999, which tackles teen pregnancy. In recent years, Kerri has largely retreated from acting, focusing more on her family and personal life.
She has maintained a low-key presence, occasionally appearing in interviews and reunions related to The Goonies. Her most recent sighting was in the 2012 film, Complacent.
Martha Plimpton as Stephanie 'Stef' Steinbrenner
Martha Plimpton, who portrayed Andy's witty best friend Stephanie 'Stef' Steinbrenner, has since enjoyed a varied career in film, television, and theatre.
Her role in the TV series Raising Hope, which aired from 2010 until 2014, earned her critical praise, and she has featured in shows like The Good Wife and Younger. Martha is also a Tony-nominated stage actress, with standout performances in productions such as The Coast of Utopia and Pal Joey.
She had a brief romantic relationship with actor River Phoenix and remained friends with him until his untimely death in 1993. She is also an advocate for reproductive rights and co-founded the organisation A Is For.
Martha continues to act and splits her time between Brooklyn, London, and Los Angeles. Her most recent acting project was in The Regime in 2024.
John Matuszak as Lotney 'Sloth' Fratelli
John Matuszak played the lovable Lotney 'Sloth' Fratelli in the film. Prior to his acting career, John was a professional football player, chosen as the first overall pick in the 1973 NFL Draft by the Houston Oilers. He later achieved considerable success with the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders, winning two Super Bowl championships.
John transitioned to acting in the 1980s and featured in several films and TV shows. His role as Sloth in The Goonies required extensive makeup, a process that took about five hours to complete. He later starred in films like P. K. and the Kid in 1987 and One Man Force in 1989.
Sadly, John died in June 1989, aged just 38. His death was attributed to an accidental overdose of the prescription drug Darvocet, with contributing factors including an enlarged heart and bronchopneumonia. His final appearance was in Down the Drain, which was released posthumously in 1990.
