If you grew up in the 1980s, you remember Chunk—the Hawaiian shirt, the Truffle Shuffle, and the infectious energy he brought to The Goonies. What many don’t know is that the life of the actor behind the role, Jeff Cohen, took an unexpected and inspiring turn after Hollywood moved on.
Born Jeffrey Bertan McMahon in 1974, Cohen later adopted his mother’s maiden name after his parents separated. Before The Goonies premiered in 1985, he had already appeared on television programs such as Child’s Play and Body Language. His breakout role as Chunk made him instantly recognizable, even as he quietly battled chickenpox during parts of filming.
Despite the film’s success, Cohen’s acting career stalled as he entered puberty. Roles stopped coming. “I didn’t give up acting—acting gave me up,” he later said. Rather than chasing fading opportunities, he shifted his focus to education and personal growth. He attended the University of California, Berkeley, where he briefly played football and became a well-known campus figure, before continuing his studies at UCLA School of Law.
Throughout this transition, Goonies director Richard Donner remained a steady mentor, encouraging Cohen to understand the business side of entertainment and even helping him secure studio work. That guidance proved pivotal. Cohen went on to build a successful career as an entertainment attorney, co-founding the law firm Cohen & Gardner LLP and earning recognition on industry “Top Executive” lists.
In a full-circle moment, Cohen later represented his former Goonies co-star Ke Huy Quan, negotiating Quan’s acclaimed role in Everything Everywhere All at Once. When Quan accepted his Oscar, he publicly thanked Cohen, calling him his “Goonies brother for life.”
Now 51, Jeff Cohen no longer works in front of the camera, but his influence in Hollywood is stronger than ever. His story stands as a rare example of a child star who reinvented himself on his own terms—trading fame for fulfillment, and finding lasting success beyond the spotlight.