If you grew up watching movies in the 1980s, chances are you remember Chunk.
The loud Hawaiian shirt.
The unforgettable Truffle Shuffle.
And the lovable chaos he brought to The Goonies.
Jeff Cohen’s performance became a permanent part of pop culture. But what happened after the cameras stopped rolling turned out to be one of Hollywood’s most unexpected success stories.
A Fast Rise in the Spotlight
Jeff Cohen, born Jeffrey Bertan McMahon on June 25, 1974, in Los Angeles, experienced major changes early in life. Around the age of seven or eight, his parents separated — a moment that left a lasting impression.
Not long after, he chose “Cohen” as his professional last name, honoring his mother Elaine’s maiden name.
Before The Goonies, Cohen was already a familiar face on television. In the early 1980s, he appeared on the CBS game show Child’s Play, helping contestants solve clues. In 1985, he returned to TV as a young celebrity guest on Body Language.
Then came the role that would define his childhood.
Becoming Chunk — and a Movie Legend
In 1985, Cohen was cast as Chunk in The Goonies, directed by Richard Donner and produced by Steven Spielberg. The adventure film followed a group of kids on a treasure hunt to save their neighborhood — and became one of the most beloved family movies of all time.
Cohen’s energy and authenticity made Chunk unforgettable, especially during the now-iconic Truffle Shuffle scene.
One little-known behind-the-scenes detail: Cohen filmed much of The Goonies while quietly dealing with chickenpox. Afraid of being replaced, he kept it to himself and showed up to set anyway. If you look closely, the marks are still visible during that famous scene.
Director Richard Donner later said Cohen didn’t need to act — he simply brought his real personality to the screen.
Cohen once joked about landing roles in that era:
“There were only a handful of kids like me going out for the same auditions. It was survival of the fattest.”
When Acting Came to an Abrupt Stop
After The Goonies, Cohen hoped to continue acting — but puberty changed everything.
“When I hit puberty, it was basically over,” he later explained. “I was changing, and the roles disappeared.”
His most honest reflection struck a chord with fans:
“I didn’t quit acting. Acting quit me.”
Rather than stay stuck in frustration, Cohen stepped away from Hollywood and focused on building a new identity beyond child stardom.
Reinventing Himself Through Education
Cohen attended UC Berkeley, where he joined the football team and endured intense hazing. During one game, thousands of fans began chanting for him to do the Truffle Shuffle. He eventually gave in — once — and the crowd erupted.
Throughout this period, Cohen maintained a close relationship with Goonies director Richard Donner. When Cohen asked for a college recommendation letter, Donner went above and beyond — covering his education and helping him find behind-the-scenes work at studios.
Donner offered blunt but life-changing advice:
“You don’t need to be an actor. You need to understand the business.”
Cohen listened.
He earned a business degree from Berkeley, followed by a law degree from UCLA, and set his sights on entertainment law.
From Child Star to Powerhouse Attorney
Jeff Cohen didn’t just become a lawyer — he became one of the most respected entertainment attorneys in Hollywood.
He co-founded Cohen & Gardner LLP, earned spots on Variety’s Dealmakers List and The Hollywood Reporter’s Next Gen Executives list, and built a career representing major talent across film and television.
Despite the career shift, his office proudly reflects his past. He keeps a signed E.T. poster from Steven Spielberg and a Superman poster from Richard Donner, both celebrating his journey.
Cohen laughs that clients love the connection:
“They get a kick out of the fact their lawyer is Chunk.”
A Full-Circle Hollywood Moment
In one of the most poetic twists imaginable, Cohen negotiated the deal for his Goonies co-star Ke Huy Quan in Everything Everywhere All at Once — the film that earned Quan an Academy Award.
During his Oscar acceptance speech, Quan thanked Cohen publicly, calling him his “Goonies brother for life.”
Redefining Success
Now in his early 50s, Jeff Cohen has fully embraced his journey. While he jokes that the Truffle Shuffle requires “perfect lighting and a few martinis,” he has no regrets.
“I’m proud of ten-year-old me,” he said. “That kid made an impact.”
Unlike many former child stars, Cohen emerged from Hollywood grounded, successful, and fulfilled — proving that reinvention is possible, and that success doesn’t always follow a straight line.
From movie icon to elite Hollywood lawyer, Jeff Cohen’s story is a powerful reminder that sometimes the best comeback happens off-screen.