If you came of age in the 1980s, you remember Chunk.

The loud Hawaiian shirt.

The now-iconic Truffle Shuffle.

And the endlessly endearing whirlwind who effortlessly stole every scene in The Goonies.

But the real story — the one behind the character — belongs to Jeff Cohen, and it may be one of Hollywood’s most unexpected reinventions.

From Child Star to Pop Culture Icon

Jeffrey Bertan McMahon was born on June 25, 1974, in Los Angeles. His early years were marked by change; when he was just seven or eight, his parents separated — a formative moment that shaped him. Not long afterward, he adopted “Cohen,” his mother Elaine’s maiden name, as his professional surname.

Long before his breakout performance, Cohen had already begun building television credits. In 1982–83, he appeared on the CBS game show Child’s Play, helping contestants decode clues. By the summer of 1985, he was back on television as a young celebrity guest on Body Language.

Then came The Goonies.

Directed by Richard Donner and produced by Steven Spielberg, the adventure-comedy followed a group of kids on a treasure hunt to save their neighborhood. In the middle of that high-energy chaos stood Chunk — loud, loyal, and unforgettable.

The Truffle Shuffle alone secured Cohen’s place in pop-culture history.

A lesser-known behind-the-scenes detail? Cohen was battling chickenpox during filming. Concerned he might lose the role, he stayed quiet and continued working. According to DVD commentary, observant viewers can actually see the spots during the famous dance scene.

Donner once remarked that Cohen’s performances felt completely authentic — that he wasn’t acting so much as simply being himself.

Reflecting on landing the role, Cohen told the Daily Mail:

“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.”

When Hollywood Changed Its Mind
4

After the film’s success, Cohen hoped to continue acting. Instead, puberty reshaped his trajectory.

“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.”

Then came the line that still resonates with fans:

“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.”

Rather than cling to fading opportunities, Cohen pivoted. He immersed himself in school and athletics, eventually joining the football team at UC Berkeley. He endured intense hazing — “I was always knocked on my a**,” he later joked — and even became the campus “mic man.” When thousands demanded the Truffle Shuffle, he gave the crowd one performance. The reaction was explosive.

Cohen has also spoken warmly about Donner’s mentorship. When he requested a college recommendation, Donner went further — covering his tuition and helping him secure studio internships.

Cohen recalls Donner telling him:

“Hey kid, what do you want to do?”

“I want to be an actor.”

“That’s stupid. You’re not going to be an actor. You’ve got to know about the business.”

It was tough love — but it redirected his life.

A Hollywood Comeback — Behind the Scenes

Cohen earned a business degree from UC Berkeley and a law degree from UCLA, ultimately entering entertainment law. He didn’t just become a lawyer — he became one of Hollywood’s most respected dealmakers.

“I still wanted to contribute to entertainment because I always loved the entertainment industry.”

He co-founded Cohen & Gardner LLP, appeared on Variety’s Dealmakers List, and was named among The Hollywood Reporter’s Next Gen Executives.

His office reflects both worlds: a signed E.T. poster from Spielberg reading, “To Jeff (Chunk) Cohen, you are my favorite Goonie,” and a Superman poster from Donner that says, “My man, with you anyone can fly.”

In a poetic twist, Cohen negotiated the deal for his former co-star Ke Huy Quan in Everything Everywhere All at Once — the performance that earned Quan an Academy Award.

On stage, Quan acknowledged him:

“My Goonies brother for life.”

Today, at 51, Cohen may not resemble the boy in the Hawaiian shirt. He jokes that performing the Truffle Shuffle now would require “three martinis” and careful lighting.

Still, he remains proud.

“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 former child stars, Cohen stepped away from Hollywood without scandal. He transformed early fame into long-term success, staying connected to the entertainment industry on his own terms.

In an industry known for fleeting stardom, Jeff Cohen’s story stands out — not as a tale of loss, but as one of reinvention.