'The Goonies' Cast: Where Are They Now – 30+ Pics

From Oscar glory and reality TV eliminations to soul-baring memoirs and abandoning acting, these child stars have taken radically different paths since their 1985 debut on the big screen.

Released in 1985, "The Goonies" quickly became an instant cult hit, launching several young actors into the spotlight and securing its legacy as a staple of '80s cinema.

Directed by Richard Donner and produced by Steven Spielberg, the adventure-comedy followed a scrappy group of kids on a daring hunt for hidden treasure to save their homes. Today, over four decades later, the film remains iconic, and the lives of its cast members have taken remarkably unpredictable turns.

1. Josh Brolin (Brand): From Boy Next Door to Hollywood's Leading Man

Josh Brolin, the clean-cut teen who played Brand, made his screen debut in "The Goonies" before landing small TV roles in shows like "Private Eye" and "The Young Riders" — co-directed by his famous father, James Brolin.

But he didn't stay in his dad's shadow for long. The younger Brolin carved out a blockbuster career, playing everything from a cowboy to the President of the United States, and remains one of Hollywood's most enduring stars.

2. Martha Plimpton (Stef): From Child Actress to Fierce Stage Queen and Activist

Martha Plimpton, unforgettable as the sarcastic and sharp-tongued Stef, was just eight years old when she started acting, debuting in "Rollover" (1981). "The Goonies" catapulted her to fame, and roles in "The Mosquito Coast," "Running on Empty," and edgy indie hits followed.

On stage, she's a powerhouse, earning the National Medal of Arts in 1998 with Chicago's famed Steppenwolf Theatre Company. Off-stage, she's a tireless abortion rights advocate, co-founding A is For and serving nearly 30 years with Planned Parenthood's Board of Advocates.

3. Joe Pantoliano (Francis Fratelli): From Ruthless Villain to Emmy-Winning Star

Joe Pantoliano, who played the greasy, trigger-happy Francis Fratelli, brought pure villainy to the screen. After "The Goonies," his star only rose — with major roles in "The Sopranos," "The Matrix," "Memento," and the "Bad Boys" trilogy.

His turn as Ralph Cifaretto in "The Sopranos" was so electric it earned him a 2003 Emmy for Best Supporting Actor. With over 150 credits, Pantoliano is still one of TV and film's most magnetic characters.

4. Robert Davi (Jake Fratelli): Sinister Onscreen, Soaring on the Jazz Charts

Robert Davi, who made Jake Fratelli both terrifying and operatically absurd, went on to play intense roles in "License to Kill," "Die Hard," and "The Iceman." On TV, he appeared in gritty dramas like "Profiler," "Criminal Minds," and "CSI."

But his biggest surprise? A second act as a jazz crooner. His debut album "Davi Sings Sinatra – On the Road to Romance" soared to number six on Billboard's Jazz Charts — and stayed there for weeks. Davi continues to perform for adoring fans while juggling his screen career.

5. Kerri Green (Andy): A Summer Camp Escape Turned Hollywood Exit

Kerri Green, the fresh-faced Andy, wasn't even supposed to be there — she skipped summer camp to audition in New York City, and walked away with a life-changing role. She followed "The Goonies" with "Summer Rental" (1985) and a powerful performance in "Lucas" (1986) opposite Corey Haim.

She reunited with Charlie Sheen in "Three for the Road" (1987) before abandoning fame to study art at Vassar College. A quiet return came in "Blue Flame" (1993), followed by her directorial debut with "Bellyfruit" (1999). Her last screen credit? 2012.

6. Sean Astin (Mikey): The Hero of Middle-earth and America's Heart

Sean Astin, who played the brave and hopeful Mikey, became a household name with roles that defined a generation — from "The Goonies" to the inspiring "Rudy" (1993), and the unforgettable Samwise Gamgee in "The Lord of the Rings."

Behind the scenes, he's worn every hat: screenwriter, producer, director, and voice artist. Off camera, he's a passionate philanthropist, political activist, author, and devoted family man, raising three daughters with his wife.

7. Ke Huy Quan (Data): A Refugee's Journey to Oscar Gold

Ke Huy Quan, the lovable gadget-genius Data, has lived a life more incredible than any movie. Born in Vietnam, he and his family fled by boat, surviving a refugee camp before his debut in "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom," at age 12.

"The Goonies" followed — but then Hollywood stopped calling. With few roles for Asian actors, he stepped away, earned a film degree from USC, and worked behind the scenes as a stunt coordinator and assistant director.

Inspired by "Crazy Rich Asians", he returned and shocked the world. His role in "Everything Everywhere All at Once" earned him Best Supporting Actor at the 95th Academy Awards.

Through tears, he told the world, "My journey started on a boat. I spent a year in a refugee camp. And somehow I ended up here on Hollywood's biggest stage. They say stories like this only happen in the movies. I cannot believe it's happening to me. This is the American dream."

8. Corey Feldman (Mouth): The Rise and Collapse of a Child Star

Corey Feldman, the cocky, fast-talking Mouth, was once teen royalty, starring in "Gremlins," "Stand by Me," and forming the headline-grabbing duo known as the "Two Coreys" with Corey Haim. But behind the fame lay pain and trauma.

In his gut-wrenching 2013 memoir, "Coreyography," he revealed a childhood marred by abuse, addiction, and legal battles to emancipate himself at 15. "My only advice, honestly, is to get these kids out of Hollywood and let them lead normal lives," he wrote.

Now, Feldman is an ambassador for Child USA, advocating for survivors and fighting to reform abuse laws. In 2025, he joined "Dancing with the Stars," but was eliminated in week two after performing a cha-cha with Jenna Johnson.

9. Jeff Cohen (Chunk): From Truffle Shuffle to Deal-Making Powerhouse

Jeff Cohen, immortalized by his iconic truffle shuffle, lit up the screen as lovable Chunk. But fame faded fast and painfully. As Cohen later revealed, his body transformation ended his acting career for good.

"There were basically about four fat kids in town, so every time there was a fat kid role you saw the same people at the audition," he told the Daily Mail. But when puberty hit, the roles stopped coming.

"It was survival of the fattest. But when I hit puberty, it was a career-ender for me. I was transforming from Chunk to hunk, and I couldn't get roles anymore," he shared. "It was terrible. My first love was acting, but puberty had other ideas. It was a forced retirement. I didn't give up acting. Acting gave me up."

Cohen walked away, earned degrees from UC Berkeley and UCLA Law, and became a top entertainment attorney. In 2002, he co-founded Cohen Gardner LLP, made Variety's Dealmakers list, and, in a poetic twist, negotiated Ke Huy Quan's Oscar-winning deal.

He even wrote "The Dealmaker's Ten Commandments" in 2015, sealing his status as a Hollywood legend — just in a very different way.

More than 40 years have passed since they chased their first treasure through booby-trapped caves, and the cast of "The Goonies" has weathered fame, failure, reinvention, and even Oscar glory. Some stepped into Hollywood power, others walked away — or were pushed away.

But whether they became movie stars, activists, jazz singers, or legal juggernauts, one thing is clear: The Goonies spirit never left them.