Anyone who grew up in the ’80s remembers Chunk from The Goonies — the loud shirts, the chaotic energy, and of course, the legendary Truffle Shuffle. But the real-life journey of the boy behind the role, Jeff Cohen, turned out to be even more surprising than his on-screen adventure.
Born Jeffrey Bertan McMahon on June 25, 1974, in Los Angeles, Jeff’s childhood changed early when his parents separated. Not long after, he adopted the last name Cohen for his acting career, honoring his mother Elaine’s maiden name. Before The Goonies, he had already appeared on TV, including stints on the game shows Child’s Play and Body Language.
Everything shifted in 1985 when he landed the role of Chunk in The Goonies, directed by Richard Donner and produced by Steven Spielberg. The film became an instant classic, and Jeff’s performance — packed with heart and humor — stole the spotlight. During filming, he even worked through a bout of chickenpox, quietly pushing on to avoid losing the role. Donner later said Jeff’s charm came from being completely himself, not from acting tricks.
After the movie’s success, Jeff expected his acting career to continue — but puberty changed that. As his appearance changed, roles dried up. “I didn’t quit acting,” he later joked. “Acting quit me.” Rather than fight it, he stepped away from Hollywood and focused on school, sports, and life outside the spotlight.
Jeff went on to attend UC Berkeley, where he joined the football program and became known on campus. Through it all, his relationship with Donner remained strong. When Jeff asked him for a recommendation letter, Donner did far more — helping cover his tuition and steering him toward the business side of entertainment.
Taking that advice, Jeff earned a business degree from Berkeley and a law degree from UCLA, eventually becoming a top entertainment attorney. He co-founded Cohen & Gardner LLP, landed on industry power lists, and built a reputation as one of Hollywood’s most trusted dealmakers.
In a full-circle moment, Jeff later represented his former Goonies co-star Ke Huy Quan, negotiating the deal for Everything Everywhere All at Once — the film that won Quan an Oscar.
Now in his 50s, Jeff Cohen looks back without regret. His acting career may have been brief, but his impact on Hollywood turned out to be anything but small.
