If you grew up in the 1980s, you probably remember Chunk immediately.
The bright Hawaiian shirt.
The unforgettable Truffle Shuffle.
And the lovable chaos he brought to every moment of The Goonies.
Chunk wasn’t just another character in the adventure — he was the heart of it. Loud, loyal, funny, and completely unforgettable.
But what happened to the boy behind that iconic role is a story most fans never expected.
The Kid Who Became a Pop-Culture Memory
Jeffrey Bertan McMahon was born on June 25, 1974, in Los Angeles. His childhood wasn’t entirely smooth. When he was around eight years old, his parents separated — a moment that left a lasting impact on him.
Not long after, he chose to use his mother’s maiden name, Cohen, professionally.
Before his big movie break, he had already started appearing on television. In the early 1980s he showed up on the CBS game show Child’s Play, helping contestants solve clues. Later, in 1985, he appeared as a young celebrity guest on the show Body Language.
But everything changed when he landed the role that would make him famous.
The Role That Defined a Generation
When The Goonies was released in 1985, it quickly became one of the most beloved adventure films of the decade.
Directed by Richard Donner and produced by Steven Spielberg, the movie followed a group of kids searching for hidden treasure in hopes of saving their homes.
In the middle of the wild adventure stood Chunk.
His personality was impossible to ignore — loud, emotional, loyal to his friends, and always unintentionally hilarious.
And then there was the moment that would live forever in movie history.
The Truffle Shuffle.
A Secret Few Fans Knew
Behind the scenes, filming wasn’t as easy as it looked.
During production, Jeff Cohen was actually battling chickenpox. Afraid he might lose the role if anyone found out, he kept quiet and continued filming.
In fact, if you watch closely during the famous Truffle Shuffle scene, the spots are still visible.
Director Richard Donner later said that Cohen’s performances felt completely genuine — like he wasn’t acting at all.
He was simply being himself.
Life After Hollywood
Today Jeff Cohen is 51 years old, and he looks very different from the energetic kid in the Hawaiian shirt.
He often jokes that performing the Truffle Shuffle today would require “three martinis and very forgiving lighting.”
But instead of struggling with fame like many child actors, Cohen took a completely different path.
He stepped away from acting and built a successful career outside the spotlight — while still staying connected to the entertainment industry.
And unlike many stories from child stardom, his isn’t one about decline or controversy.
It’s about reinvention.
A Different Kind of Success
Jeff Cohen may always be remembered as Chunk — the boy who made audiences laugh during one of the most beloved movies of the 1980s.
But the real story of his life didn’t end with that role.
In many ways, it was only the beginning.
