If you grew up in the 1980s, you definitely remember Chunk.
The loud Hawaiian shirts.
The unforgettable Truffle Shuffle.
The lovable whirlwind of chaos who stole every scene in The Goonies.
But the real-life story of the boy behind that iconic role — Jeff Cohen — turned out to be even more unexpected than anything Hollywood could have written.
Life before the spotlight
Born Jeffrey Bertan McMahon on June 25, 1974, in Los Angeles, Jeff experienced major change early on. Around the age of seven or eight, his parents separated — an event that shaped much of his childhood.
Not long after, he chose the name “Cohen” for his acting career, honoring his mother Elaine’s maiden name.
Before landing his breakout role, Jeff was already familiar with television sets. In the early 1980s, he appeared on the CBS game show Child’s Play, helping contestants solve clues. In 1985, he also made a guest appearance on Body Language as a young celebrity participant.
Becoming Chunk
That same summer, Jeff’s life changed forever when he was cast as Chunk in The Goonies.
Directed by Richard Donner and produced by Steven Spielberg, the adventure film followed a group of kids racing to find pirate treasure in hopes of saving their neighborhood — and quickly became a pop-culture classic.
Jeff’s performance brought heart, humor, and unforgettable moments — especially the now-legendary Truffle Shuffle.
One surprising behind-the-scenes detail: during filming, Jeff had chickenpox. Afraid he might lose the role, he kept quiet and continued working. According to the DVD commentary, viewers can actually spot the marks during the famous dance scene.
Donner later said Jeff’s magic came from his authenticity — he wasn’t acting so much as being completely himself.
Jeff once joked about auditions at the time:
“There were maybe four overweight kids in town. Whenever there was a role for one, we all showed up. It was survival of the fattest.”
When Hollywood moved on
After The Goonies, Jeff hoped to continue acting — but puberty changed everything.
“When I hit puberty, that was the end of my career,” he later admitted. “I was changing, and suddenly the roles disappeared.”
His words resonated with many fans:
“I didn’t quit acting. Acting quit me.”
With his childhood career behind him, Jeff stepped away from Hollywood and focused on building a new identity. He poured himself into school, sports, and everyday life beyond the spotlight.
He later joked that he stayed fit partly out of fear of becoming Chunk again — though he remained proud of that chapter:
“I was a professional fat person. Anyone can be an amateur — but not everyone can be a pro.”
College, football, and unexpected support
At UC Berkeley, Jeff joined the football team, endured intense hazing, and eventually became the school’s mic man at games. Crowds constantly begged him to do the Truffle Shuffle — and when he finally did, the stadium erupted.
Throughout it all, his bond with Goonies director Richard Donner never faded.
When Jeff asked Donner for a college recommendation letter, the director went far beyond expectations — covering Jeff’s full college tuition and helping him secure behind-the-scenes studio work.
Donner once told him bluntly:
“You don’t want to be an actor. You need to understand the business.”
It wasn’t cruelty — it was guidance. And it changed Jeff’s life.
A new career — and a full-circle moment
Jeff earned a business degree from UC Berkeley, followed by a law degree from UCLA. He went on to become an entertainment attorney — not just any lawyer, but one of the most respected 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 reputation as a trusted advocate for talent.
His office reflects both worlds: a Spielberg-signed E.T. poster reading, “You are my favorite Goonie,” and a Superman poster from Donner that says, “With you, anyone can fly.”
Jeff often laughs that clients love telling people their lawyer is Chunk.
And in a beautiful twist of fate, he negotiated the deal for his former Goonies co-star Ke Huy Quan in Everything Everywhere All at Once — the film that earned Quan an Academy Award.
Onstage, Quan thanked him simply:
“My Goonies brother for life.”
A legacy beyond acting
Now 51, Jeff Cohen no longer resembles the kid audiences fell in love with — and he jokes that attempting the Truffle Shuffle today would require “three martinis and perfect lighting.”
But he has no regrets.
“I’m incredibly proud of ten-year-old me,” he’s said. “That kid made an impact I never expected.”
Unlike many child stars, Jeff emerged from Hollywood grounded and unharmed. Though his acting career ended early, his connection to entertainment never did — it just evolved.
From unforgettable movie moments to shaping major Hollywood deals, Jeff Cohen’s story proves that success doesn’t always follow the path you expect — and sometimes, the greatest adventures happen after the credits roll.