‘Goonies’ Child Star Reveals Life-Changing Medical Diagnosis

Martha Plimpton, who role to fame while starring in the hit 1985 movie The Goonies as Stephanie “Stef” Steinbrenner, opened up about how being diagnosed with ADHD was life-changing for her.

While attending the Task premiere in New York City on September 4, Plimpton, 54, noticeably sported a necklace that read “ADHD.”

“I’m actually a late diagnosis ADHD, like millions of others. It was actually a huge relief to be diagnosed,” she told Page Six in an interview published on Saturday, September 6, sharing that she received the news when she was “about 50.”

ADHD, which stands for Adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, “is a mental health disorder that includes a combination of persistent problems, such as difficulty paying attention, hyperactivity and impulsive behavior,” according to the Mayo Clinic. “Adult ADHD can lead to unstable relationships, poor work or school performance, low self-esteem, and other problems.”

Despite having “adult” in the name, “symptoms start in early childhood and continue into adulthood.”

While speaking to the outlet, Plimpton admitted that many things about herself started making sense after her diagnosis. “So many little things fell into place and made sense that hadn’t made sense before,” she said, adding that she was “not ashamed” and “finally” felt “free.”

“I’m glad to be sharing my ADHDness with the world,” she told the outlet.

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While Plimpton might be best known for her role in The Goonies, she’s also acted in projects including The Mosquito Coast, Shy People, Running on Empty, Beautiful Girls, Small Town Murder Songs, Frozen II, Mass, Raising Hope and The Real O’Neals.

Meanwhile, fans can next see her on the HBO miniseries Task starring Mark Ruffalo.

“She’s a special agent in charge, and she’s a woman, so she’s worked really hard to get where she is,” Plimpton explained of her character, Kathleen McGinty. “So that means she’s had to deal with some bulls–t. She’s a woman who I think knows how to cut through the crap and take care of business.”

This story was originally reported by Parade on Sep 6, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.