Whatever happened to Jeff Cohen?
Jeff Cohen became instantly recognizable through his role as Lawrence “Chunk” Cohen in the beloved adventure film The Goonies (1985), where his portrayal of the clumsy, lovable friend, famous for the “Truffle Shuffle” and the confession scene, made him one of the most memorable child actors of the 1980s. His performance combined physical comedy, genuine emotion, and perfect timing, making Chunk an endearing character that audiences still quote and reference decades later, cementing Cohen’s place in pop culture history through a single iconic role. The Goonies became a generational touchstone, regularly rewatched and celebrated, keeping Cohen’s childhood performance alive in cultural memory long after the film’s release. However, Cohen made a decision that distinguished him from many former child actors. Rather than continuing to pursue acting or struggling with the loss of childhood fame, he left Hollywood to earn a law degree. Eventually, he returned to the entertainment industry as a lawyer, specifically helping former child stars navigate the business that once employed him.
From pratfalls to law school
Cohen stopped acting in his teens, recognizing that his interests lay elsewhere and that continuing to audition for roles trading on his Goonies fame held no appeal. He attended the University of California, Berkeley, earning his undergraduate degree, then the UCLA School of Law, one of the nation’s top law programs, demonstrating intellectual capabilities far beyond his comedic childhood performances. His decision to pursue law demonstrated remarkable foresight, recognizing the need to build sustainable careers beyond the uncertain and often exploitative world of child acting. Cohen’s educational achievements demonstrated that former child actors could successfully transition to demanding professions that require years of rigorous study and intellectual discipline.
Advocate for the exploited
Cohen co-founded Cohen Gardner LLP, an entertainment law firm specializing in representing actors, writers, and producers in contract negotiations, intellectual property disputes, and career management. His unique perspective as a former child actor gives him insight into the vulnerabilities, exploitation, and psychological challenges facing young performers that lawyers without industry experience cannot fully comprehend. Cohen works specifically with former child stars, helping them navigate financial issues, contract disputes, and career transitions, using his legal expertise to protect people from the industry practices that damaged so many of his contemporaries. His work represents a form of advocacy where he protects current and former child performers from exploitation he witnessed and understood from personal experience.
The full circle return
Cohen occasionally appears at Goonies reunions and conventions, embracing his childhood role while maintaining his identity as a successful entertainment lawyer rather than a former child actor desperate to reclaim past glory. His ability to acknowledge Chunk as part of his history while building an entirely separate professional identity demonstrates a healthy relationship with childhood fame. Cohen’s transformation from child actor to lawyer protecting child actors represents one of the most successful and meaningful pivots from entertainment to advocacy.
Conclusion
Jeff Cohen’s journey from Chunk in The Goonies to an entertainment lawyer working with former child stars demonstrates that childhood fame can provide a unique perspective for advocacy work, proving that former child actors can return to the industry on their own terms as protectors rather than performers.
Related:
- Whatever happened to the guys who made the Blair Witch Project
- Do the Olsen twins still work together? A look at their post-Hollywood life
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