Martha Plimpton said a diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in her early 50s provided clarity and relief for long-standing challenges, and she has been open about the condition while appearing at industry events amid renewed talk of a sequel to The Goonies.
Plimpton, 54, told Page Six that she was diagnosed "about 50" and that the late diagnosis — a common experience for many adults — helped explain a number of personal and professional patterns. "It was actually a huge relief to be diagnosed," she said, adding that "so many little things fell into place and made sense that hadn’t made sense before." The actor also said she is "not ashamed" of the diagnosis and that she was "glad to be sharing my ADHDness with the world."
Plimpton wore a necklace reading "ADHD" while walking the red carpet for the premiere of the HBO Max miniseries Task, in which she stars opposite Mark Ruffalo. She also spoke to Entertainment Tonight about whether she would reprise her role as Stef in a long-mooted Goonies sequel, saying, "If it happens it's great, that would be wonderful. And I hope it's a success, and I hope whatever happens, everybody is happy."
The National Institute of Mental Health describes attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder as a developmental disorder characterized by a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development. In recent years clinicians and researchers have reported increasing recognition of ADHD in adults and a growing number of people receiving diagnoses later in life.
The Goonies, released in 1985, follows a group of young friends who follow a treasure map to find the sunken ship of the pirate One-Eyed Willy in an effort to save their homes. The original film starred Sean Astin, Corey Feldman, Josh Brolin and others and was written by Steven Spielberg and Chris Columbus. Columbus is listed as a producer on the sequel project and Spielberg reportedly is involved as a producer as well.
Cast members have expressed mixed feelings about a new installment. Brolin told Entertainment Tonight in August that he hoped the sequel would happen, praising the original experience, but also voiced trepidation about tarnishing the legacy of the 1985 film. "The trepidation that I have is that you release something else that taints that," he said, adding that if Spielberg approves it, "you know it's going to be good." Brolin said there have been "five scripts so far through the years" that Spielberg did not approve.
Corey Feldman said in April on The Today Show that he would return if asked. "I can tell you for sure, Spielberg and Chris Columbus have a recipe, and they're planning on something. We wish them well. And if they come to us, we'll consider it at that time," Feldman said.
Plimpton's public comments come as other actors continue to discuss mental health and industry pressures. The actor has long maintained a presence in film and television and continues to promote Task, which debuted on HBO Max. Her openness about adult-onset ADHD follows a wider cultural conversation about late diagnoses and the experiences of those who receive them.
Plimpton said she felt relief when the diagnosis connected longstanding experiences to a clinical explanation, and she has leaned into sharing that identification publicly. As conversations about a Goonies sequel continue, she expressed hope the project would be successful and respectful of the original film's legacy.
Studio executives and original creators have moved cautiously on a sequel, and any new project will follow further development and approvals from those involved. Meanwhile, Plimpton's disclosure adds to an ongoing conversation about adult ADHD and the ways a diagnosis can reshape personal understanding and public discussion of mental health in the entertainment industry.