How Jeff Cohen Transitioned from Hollywood Fame to a Successful Legal Career

If you grew up in the 1980s, there’s a good chance that the name Jeff Cohen immediately conjures images of Chunk, the unforgettable, loveable, scene-stealing character from The Goonies.

The Hawaiian shirt. The Truffle Shuffle. The boy whose awkward charm and infectious energy made him one of the most memorable parts of that classic film.

But while many remember the cinematic icon, the story of the boy behind the character — Jeff Cohen — is both surprising and inspiring, showcasing the challenges of child stardom, the abrupt turns of life, and the power of resilience, education, and reinvention.

Early Life and First Steps into Show Business
Jeffrey Bertan McMahon, later professionally known as Jeff Cohen, was born on June 25, 1974, in Los Angeles, California.

He grew up in a city that offered both opportunity and exposure to the entertainment world, yet his early life was not without its difficulties.

Around the age of seven or eight, his parents separated, an event that left a lasting mark on him. This personal upheaval coincided with his early interest in acting, and he decided to adopt a stage name — “Cohen,” his mother Elaine’s maiden name — a symbolic move as he stepped into a new identity for the screen.

By the early 1980s, Jeff had already begun appearing on television. Between 1982 and 1983, he was featured as one of the children on the CBS game show Child’s Play, helping explain clues to contestants.

He also made a celebrity guest appearance on the game show Body Language in 1985. These small but meaningful roles prepared him for his breakout performance, while also giving him a taste of life in front of cameras, exposure to production sets, and the excitement and pressure that came with it.

The Goonies: Becoming Chunk
Jeff Cohen’s true claim to fame came in 1985 when he landed the role of Chunk in Richard Donner’s adventure-comedy The Goonies, produced by Steven Spielberg.

The movie followed a group of children on a quest for a pirate’s treasure to save their neighborhood from foreclosure. Cohen’s character, the clumsy and endearing Chunk, brought levity, heart, and humor to the story, cementing his place in cinematic history.

One of the most iconic moments is the Truffle Shuffle, in which Chunk lifts his shirt to perform a funny, memorable dance. Interestingly, Cohen has shared that during filming, he was battling chickenpox but chose not to tell anyone for fear of being replaced.

Sharp-eyed viewers can actually spot chickenpox on his chest during the Truffle Shuffle scene. This anecdote underscores the combination of dedication, courage, and humor that defined his early career.

Director Richard Donner later praised Cohen for bringing authenticity to the role. In his words, Jeff “was just himself on camera,” a quality that made Chunk so relatable and memorable.

Cohen himself described the casting process in a candid interview with the Daily Mail, noting, “There were basically about four fat kids in town, so every time there was a fat kid role you saw the same people at the audition. It was survival of the fattest.”

The Challenges of Puberty and Leaving Acting
After the immense success of The Goonies, Jeff Cohen might have continued acting, but puberty dramatically changed the trajectory of his career.

As he grew older and his appearance changed, casting opportunities became scarce. “When I hit puberty, it was a career-ender for me. I was transforming from Chunk to hunk, and I couldn’t get roles anymore,” he said.

In reflecting on this forced transition, he described it poignantly: “It was terrible. My first love was acting, but puberty had other ideas. It was a forced retirement.

I didn’t give up acting. Acting gave me up.” For many child actors, this abrupt shift leads to a difficult adjustment, and Cohen faced the challenge of reinventing himself while navigating adolescence.

Despite stepping away from the camera, Cohen maintained a sense of humor about his unique position in Hollywood history.

“I’m pretty good at exercising and watching my diet because I know I could slide back into Chunk. But I am very proud that I was a professional fat person.

Anyone can be an amateur, but who can be a pro?” he joked in later interviews, embracing the uniqueness of his childhood fame.

College Life and New Experiences
Transitioning from child actor to adult, Cohen enrolled at the University of California, Berkeley. There, he pursued higher education while also engaging in campus life in unexpected ways.

He joined the football team, enduring rigorous training and hazing — he recalled being “always knocked on my a**” but persevering through the challenge.

Additionally, he became the school’s mic man, a role in which he engaged large audiences, culminating in a memorable moment where thousands of students chanted for him to perform the Truffle Shuffle. When he finally obliged, the crowd erupted in excitement.

These experiences highlighted Cohen’s ability to blend his past fame with new personal growth. He learned resilience, teamwork, and leadership, qualities that would serve him well in later professional pursuits.

Mentorship from Richard Donner
Cohen’s relationship with director Richard Donner extended far beyond The Goonies set. Donner, recognizing Cohen’s intelligence and ambition, offered mentorship in a practical, yet deeply generous way.

When Cohen needed a recommendation for college, Donner not only provided the letter but also covered the entire cost of his tuition, demonstrating both belief in his potential and personal support.

Donner also guided Cohen into behind-the-scenes roles within the entertainment industry, encouraging him to gain business experience: “Hey kid, what do you want to do?” Donner asked.

“I want to be an actor,” Cohen replied. To which Donner responded with tough love: “That’s stupid. You’re not going to be an actor. You’ve got to know about the business.”

Transition to Entertainment Law
Taking Donner’s advice to heart, Cohen pursued higher education with purpose. He earned a business degree from UC Berkeley, followed by a law degree from UCLA.

He specialized in entertainment law, finding a way to remain connected to the industry he loved, not as an actor but as a legal advocate and advisor.

Cohen co-founded Cohen & Gardner LLP, establishing a reputation for expertise in entertainment deals. He has been recognized by Variety in their Dealmakers List and by The Hollywood Reporter in their Next Gen Executives feature.

His office proudly displays reminders of his past life in Hollywood. A signed E.T. poster from Steven Spielberg reads: “To Jeff (Chunk) Cohen, you are my favorite Goonie.”

A Superman poster from Richard Donner proclaims: “My man, with you anyone can fly.” Cohen has shared that his clients often get a kick out of the fact that their lawyer was once a beloved child star.

In a poetic twist, Cohen even negotiated the deal for his former Goonies co-star, Ke Huy Quan, for the role in Everything Everywhere All at Once, the performance that ultimately earned Quan an Academy Award. During the Oscars ceremony, Quan publicly thanked Cohen, calling him “my Goonies brother for life.”

Reflection on His Journey
Today, Jeff Cohen is 51 years old and has long left behind the physical image of Chunk, though the legacy of that role remains a defining part of his identity.

He often reflects with pride on what he accomplished as a child actor: “I think it’s crazy. I dig it, and I’m very proud of ten-year-old me and that he was able to make such an impact.”

Unlike many child stars who struggle with personal and professional challenges after early fame, Cohen navigated his transition successfully.

By combining humor, intelligence, and ambition, he forged a meaningful career in entertainment law while maintaining strong ties to the industry and embracing his history as Chunk.

Cohen’s story is remarkable not only because of his personal resilience but because it demonstrates the value of mentorship, adaptability, and strategic planning.

He transformed an early setback — puberty effectively ending his acting career — into an opportunity to develop new skills and impact Hollywood from a different angle.

The Legacy of Chunk
The Truffle Shuffle remains a cultural touchstone, and Cohen’s work in The Goonies continues to entertain and inspire audiences around the world.

Yet Cohen’s life beyond the film offers equally compelling lessons: that early talent does not guarantee lifelong success, but with the right guidance, dedication, and strategic choices, one can carve out a fulfilling and respected career.

From his iconic role as Chunk to his current position as a prominent entertainment lawyer, Jeff Cohen’s life is a story of growth, reinvention, and enduring connection to the industry he loves.

His path reminds us that fame is fleeting, but purpose, education, and integrity have lasting impact.

In a world where many child actors struggle with identity and career transitions, Jeff Cohen exemplifies a rare success story:

a young talent who emerged from Hollywood not only unscathed but thriving, channeling his early experiences into a career that allows him to shape the industry, mentor others, and remain a cherished figure in pop culture history.