Forty years later, the unmistakable charm of The Goonies comes from its cast. While the plot is intriguing and so classically '80s, parts of the screenplay are problematic for today's standards, and bits of the pacing don't hold up in the same way they used to when we were kids. Still, it's a must-watch film for the whole family, and it's an unmistakable classic for its precious depiction of friendship and the good guys winning in the end after a hard-fought action adventure.
Some members of The Goonies cast, like John Matuszak, who played Sloth, and Anne Ramsey, who played Mama Fratelli, tragically passed away a few years after the film's release. Others, like Jeff Cohen, who played Chunk, completely left acting to pursue a career in law. But most cast members of The Goonies went on to embody other distinguished roles, and here are the most famous ones to watch them in.
Sean Astin - Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
The Goonies may be where many people discovered Sean Astin's inimitable acting abilities, and he's got a wide filmography, including guest appearances on shows inspired by The Goonies like Stranger Things (2016), but he'll always be Samwise Gamgee from The Lord of the Rings trilogy, starting with The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. On paper, Sam could've been an ordinary sidekick and loyal friend to Frodo, but it's everything that Astin brings to the role that makes him such an unforgettable character.
Astin's unique ability to play softness and vulnerability is no small feat, and it's exactly what makes every role he's in so delightful. His characters become the very definition of "Protect Them At All Costs," and Sam is that character. In other words, the franchise wouldn't be the same without his wholesome presence. It's often clear how much Astin adores this job, and his position as the new president of SAG-AFTRA proves this, too.
Josh Brolin - Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Sean Astin's on-screen brother, Josh Brolin, has also gone on to make quite a name for himself. Up until a few years ago, we could've deemed his role as Llewelyn Moss in No Country for Old Men (2001) as his most famous. But after he stepped into the shoes of the Mad Titan in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it's safe to say that Thanos is his most recognizable role outside of The Goonies.
There have been quite a few memorable villains in the MCU, but Brolin had big, comic book-sized shoes to fill when Thanos started collecting Infinity Stones in Avengers: Infinity War. Brolin nails every beat of the villainy perfectly, making it effortless to hate his guts. Interestingly, what he does best is touching on Thanos' complexities and weaknesses, too, which make him such a memorable villain. He might be coated in purple, but we all know who's behind the face because of everything Brolin delivers. If you like superheroes, you can't do much better than Infinity War.
Corey Feldman - The Lost Boys (1987)
For countless people, Corey Feldman will always be Mouth from The Goonies. Sassy, spunky, and memorable. But some might even recognize him from Stand by Me (1986) or The Lost Boys (1987), which are both the type of films that fans of The Goonies could undoubtedly appreciate. Feldman is also a musician today, but it's often his range that ensures each of his characters will stand out and make him a memorable actor.
Feldman's ability to balance as much as he did from a young age and ensure that his characters could have distinguishable traits outside of physical attributes is no small feat. It's why Feldman's vampire-hunting Edgar is so beloved. The Lost Boys might be more horror than The Goonies, but it manages to capture a similar spirit of adventure, even though it's steeped in darkness.
Ke Huy Quan - Everything Everywhere All At Once (2022)
Ke Huy Quan has one of the most incredible careers, from a child actor to an Academy Award winner, and it makes me a little weepy every time I think about it because it's so apparent how much he adores it from his interviews. From a young kid with incredibly memorable acting chops to voice acting in movies like Zootopia 2 (2025), Quan's done it all. But it's his role in Everything Everywhere All At Once, which is currently his most famous.
Quan was an excellent scene partner to Michelle Yeoh, delivering the type of performance many of us will never forget. The movie's Oscars success proved that, perhaps, the industry is ready for something outside of the typical war film or melodrama. Quan's performance is tender, heartfelt, and memorable in every way, allowing viewers to see just how much he's capable of. It's perfect if you want something deeply moving with a unique premise.
Joe Pantoliano - The Sopranos (1999-2007)
Joe Pantoliano has had the type of career that would allow him to be recognized for a number of different roles, like Memento (2000) or The Matrix (1999). But for many, he'll likely be best known for his portrayal of Ralph Cifaretto in The Sopranos. Pantoliano may not have been a part of the revered series until Season 3, but his character quickly became a fan favorite and one who's still praised.
Pantoliano's range as an actor and his ability to ensure that whatever role we're watching him in, we're seeing the character he's currently playing is a tremendous achievement. How he delivers depth and nuance to characters is also a large part of his excellency as an actor. The Sopranos is a must-watch series for anyone who loves Peaky Blinders (2013) or mafia narratives in general. It's surely the TV blueprint at this point, and each cast member contributes to its legacy.
Martha Plimpton - Raising Hope (2010-2014)
As one of her first roles, The Goonies is undoubtedly a popular one for Martha Plimpton, and while her character didn't have as much screentime as some of the boys, Plimpton is one of the actresses who's gone on to do so much that there's a plethora under her belt. Yet, for many people, her most famous role might be Raising Hope.
Raising Hope is a well-loved and underrated comedy for most people who watched all four seasons, and Plimpton's performance in it is incredible. Her ability to tackle a myriad of emotions is one of the very reasons she's been in such a number of things, and the series challenged her with the type of great writing and riveting premise that required layered performance. Raising Hope can be a delightful new show to watch for fans of The Goldbergs (2013).
Robert Davi - License to Kill (1989)
Some actors are too good at playing villains, and once they're cast as a Bond villain, it's game over after that. Robert Davi has gone on to create an outstanding filmography full of incredibly memorable roles after The Goonies, but his most famous will likely always be Franz Sanchez alongside Timothy Dalton's James Bond in License to Kill.
Davi's performance throughout the movie was not only excellent, but also full of the type of range and unique input that makes him one of the best Bond villains to date. As one of the villains whose layers are genuinely one of the most captivating details about him, a large part of his popularity is entirely because of what Davi brings to embodying him with nuance. If you only watch a few Bond movies out of the many, License to Kill is worthy of being one of them.
