The story of Martha Plimpton from 'The Goonies'

Grew up behind the scenes

Grew up behind the scenes, A Goonie, yes, but with discernment, Dated River Phoenix, but not Hollywood, Indie by conviction, not for trends, Broadway: Where her surname became important, Politics without euphemisms or stylists, A sitcom and a second life, She doesn't retouch; she stands firm, Not vintage, she's relevant

Daughter of Shelley Plimpton and Keith Carradine, she inherited an artistic and acting impulse. From a young age, she was an actress. Born in New York in 1970.

A Goonie, yes, but with discernment

Grew up behind the scenes, A Goonie, yes, but with discernment, Dated River Phoenix, but not Hollywood, Indie by conviction, not for trends, Broadway: Where her surname became important, Politics without euphemisms or stylists, A sitcom and a second life, She doesn't retouch; she stands firm, Not vintage, she's relevant

At 14, she became the cheeky face of "The Goonies," the movie that launched a thousand VHS tapes. While others memorized lines, Martha already knew it was just a formality.

Dated River Phoenix, but not Hollywood

Grew up behind the scenes, A Goonie, yes, but with discernment, Dated River Phoenix, but not Hollywood, Indie by conviction, not for trends, Broadway: Where her surname became important, Politics without euphemisms or stylists, A sitcom and a second life, She doesn't retouch; she stands firm, Not vintage, she's relevant

There was a time when Martha was a must-date at premieres and magazine covers. But between turning down high school comedies and falling in love with Phoenix, she chose the latter. An actress, not a poster.

Grew up behind the scenes, A Goonie, yes, but with discernment, Dated River Phoenix, but not Hollywood, Indie by conviction, not for trends, Broadway: Where her surname became important, Politics without euphemisms or stylists, A sitcom and a second life, She doesn't retouch; she stands firm, Not vintage, she's relevant

While child stars went for sitcoms on channels with numbers, Plimpton took refuge in off-off theaters and films that smelled of Sundance and low budgets. That too is a choice.

Broadway: Where her surname became important

Grew up behind the scenes, A Goonie, yes, but with discernment, Dated River Phoenix, but not Hollywood, Indie by conviction, not for trends, Broadway: Where her surname became important, Politics without euphemisms or stylists, A sitcom and a second life, She doesn't retouch; she stands firm, Not vintage, she's relevant

When the Tony nomination arrived, the critics dusted off her file and feigned surprise. But Martha had no time for that: she was too busy performing Turgenev as if her life depended on it.

Politics without euphemisms or stylists

Grew up behind the scenes, A Goonie, yes, but with discernment, Dated River Phoenix, but not Hollywood, Indie by conviction, not for trends, Broadway: Where her surname became important, Politics without euphemisms or stylists, A sitcom and a second life, She doesn't retouch; she stands firm, Not vintage, she's relevant

A defender of the right to choose, an opponent of institutionalized stupidity, Martha speaks out. Loudly. Even if her agent shakes. Even if she loses a pilot for doing so. She doesn't need an Emmy; she has principles.

A sitcom and a second life

Grew up behind the scenes, A Goonie, yes, but with discernment, Dated River Phoenix, but not Hollywood, Indie by conviction, not for trends, Broadway: Where her surname became important, Politics without euphemisms or stylists, A sitcom and a second life, She doesn't retouch; she stands firm, Not vintage, she's relevant

"Raising Hope" gave her what Hollywood never could: a sharp, memorable character. Plimpton returned the favor by stealing the show from the living room couch.

She doesn't retouch; she stands firm

Grew up behind the scenes, A Goonie, yes, but with discernment, Dated River Phoenix, but not Hollywood, Indie by conviction, not for trends, Broadway: Where her surname became important, Politics without euphemisms or stylists, A sitcom and a second life, She doesn't retouch; she stands firm, Not vintage, she's relevant

In the era of digital rejuvenations, Martha Plimpton keeps her face as a manifesto. Lines, shadows, expression. No lifting can achieve that intensity. The scalpel doesn't act.

Not vintage, she's relevant

Grew up behind the scenes, A Goonie, yes, but with discernment, Dated River Phoenix, but not Hollywood, Indie by conviction, not for trends, Broadway: Where her surname became important, Politics without euphemisms or stylists, A sitcom and a second life, She doesn't retouch; she stands firm, Not vintage, she's relevant

Those who remember her only as "the weird girl from 'The Goonies'" are surprised: she's still acting, still winning awards, still choosing scripts no one else dares to sign.

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