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Lives of The Goonies cast now with new careers, shunning fame and tragic death

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A true gem of the 80s, The Goonies will be toasting to its 40th year since release in June 2025. Back in 1985, this much-adored film introduced us to a bunch of plucky kids known as the Goonies who embarked on an epic quest to unearth the fabled pirate treasure of One-Eyed Willy.

With their immortal battle cry, "Goonies never say die!", the fearless group dodged the nefarious Fratelli family, also hunting the loot. It's a film that instantly takes those who were kids in the 80s down memory lane.

Fast forward to 2025, and and their fellow actors post-treasure hunt adventures.

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Sean Astin as Michael 'Mikey' Walsh image

Sean Astin portrayed the go-getter Michael 'Mikey' Walsh, taking the reins as leader of the Goonies. Post-Goonies fame, Sean carved out an impressive acting career for himself.

Most recognisable perhaps is his heartwarming role as stalwart Samwise Gamgee in the Lord of the Rings trilogy – a performance that scored him and the ensemble a SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture. Not one to rest on his laurels, Sean's filmography extends to include gems like Rudy in 1993, 50 First Dates in 2004, and a memorable turn in the second instalment of Netflix's hit series Stranger Things in 2017.

In his personal life, Sean tied the knot with Christine Harrell in 1992 and they have three daughters: Alexandra, Elizabeth, and Isabella. Sean is also recognised for his charitable work, including his involvement 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 image

Josh Brolin took on the role of Brandon 'Brand' Walsh, Mikey's protective older brother. Josh, the son of renowned actor James Brolin, has since carved out a successful career as a versatile actor 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 his portrayal of the intergalactic villain Thanos - beneath all the makeup and CGI - in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Josh Brolin 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 stint was in last year's Brothers.

Jeff Cohen as Lawrence 'Chunk' Cohen

Jeff Cohen, who played the clumsy yet endearing Chunk in the Goonies - renowned for his signature dance The Truffle Shuffle, transitioned from acting to law. In 2002, he co-founded the law firm Cohen Gardner LLP, which specialises 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. While he keeps his personal life under wraps, it's reported that he still keeps in touch with his Goonies co-stars.

Notably, he negotiated fellow Goonie Ke Huy Quan's involvement in Everything Everywhere All at Once, which earned him an Oscar. His last acting gig was back in 1991, in Perfect Harmony.

Corey Feldman as Clark 'Mouth' Devereaux image

Corey Feldman brought to life Mouth, known for his sharp wit and chatty nature. Corey was a big deal in the 80s, starring in hits like 1986's Stand by Me, and The Lost Boys in 1987.

More recently, Corey has been vocal about child abuse in Hollywood, sharing his own experiences and working to raise awareness. His personal life has seen its fair share of hurdles, including battles with substance abuse.

He was friends with Michael Jackson and has been married three times: to Vanessa Marcil from 1989 until 1993, to Susie Sprague from 2002 until 2014, and to Courtney Anne Mitchell since 2016. He continues to engage in music and acting projects while remaining active in activism work. His most recent appearance was in SAVJ in 2022.

Ke Huy Quan as Richard 'Data' Wang image

Ke Huy Quan portrayed Data, the group's inventive gadgeteer. This wasn't his only role in a renowned 80s classic - just a year prior he had a notable part 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 openly discussed 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 a few years ago, he made an impressive comeback to the big screen - winning 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 actor, appearing in the second season of Marvel's Loki series, among other things. Most recently, he was seen with his Goonies co-star Sean Astin in Love Hurts.

Kerri Green as Andrea 'Andy' Carmichael image

Kerri Green played Andy, a 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 . In recent years, Kerri has largely withdrawn from acting, focusing on her family and personal life.

She has maintained a low profile, occasionally appearing in interviews and reunions related to The Goonies. Her most recent appearance was in 2012's Complacent.

Martha Plimpton as Stephanie 'Stef' Steinbrenner image

Martha Plimpton portrayed Stef, Andy's witty best mate in The Goonies. Post-Goonies, Martha has had a varied career spanning film, TV, and theatre.

Her role in the television series Raising Hope, which aired from 2010 to 2014, earned her critical praise. She has also featured in shows like The Good Wife and Younger.

A Tony-nominated stage actress, Martha has given standout performances in productions such as The Coast of Utopia and Pal Joey.

She briefly dated actor River Phoenix and remained close with him until his untimely death in 1993. She is also a vocal 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 latest acting gig was in The Regime in 2024.

John Matuszak as Lotney 'Sloth' Fratelli image

John Matuszak played the lovable Lotney 'Sloth' Fratelli in the movie. Prior to his acting career, John was a professional American football player, chosen as the first overall pick in the 1973 Draft by the Houston Oilers. He later found considerable success with the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders, bagging 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 roughly five hours to complete.

He later starred in films such as P. K. and the Kid in 1987 and One Man Force in 1989. Sadly, John died on June 17, 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.

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