The Goonies Star’s Stunt Double Had to Shadow Him Off-Set to Prevent Drunken Bar Brawls
The iconic ‘Hey you guys!’ from the 80s classic ‘The Goonies’ is a memorable scene, with Sloth (John Matuszak) swinging into action alongside his new best friend Chunk (Jeff Cohen). The character’s brawling spirit and mischievous humor made him a fan favorite, but it also led to an interesting challenge for the actor playing him.
The movie’s director, Steven Spielberg, envisioned a thrilling adventure about kids getting into mischief on rainy days, resulting in the iconic ‘The Goonies’. The story follows a group of young friends on a quest for long-lost pirate treasure, hidden beneath the soon-to-be-demolished homes in Astoria, Oregon. The treasure is booby-trapped and guarded by the comically villainous Fratelli family, adding to the excitement.
The talented cast of young actors included Sean Astin, Corey Feldman, Josh Brolin, Martha Plimpton, Ke Huy Quan, Jeff Cohen, and Kerri Green. Anne Ramsay portrayed the formidable Mama Fratelli, while Robert Davi and Joe Pantoliano played her bickering sons. However, the wildcard character of Sloth, a sweet-natured brute, was brought to life by the former NFL star John Matuszak, a real-life anarchic giant.
Matuszak, standing at 6 feet 8 inches and weighing around 300 pounds, was an unlikely movie star. His football career was marked by a party-hard lifestyle, regular injuries, and a penchant for painkillers, alcohol, and other drugs. He had a history of run-ins with the law and moved through multiple NFL teams before finding his niche with the Oakland Raiders.
Despite his on-field antics, Matuszak took on the role of Sloth with dedication. The character required a prosthetic head with radio-controlled eyes and movable ears, which meant long hours in the makeup department. Matuszak’s commitment to the role was admirable, and he became a hit with his young co-stars, who described him as a gentle giant.
However, Matuszak’s downtime off-set was a different story. His stunt double, Randell Widner, had the challenging task of keeping him in line. Widner accompanied Matuszak to bars in Astoria, attempting to prevent any bar fights. Widner recalled Matuszak’s behavior, noting his lack of limitations and the impact of painkillers and alcohol on his control.
Despite the potential for trouble, Matuszak’s dedication to the role of Sloth was evident. He embraced the opportunity to work with renowned directors like Richard Donner and Steven Spielberg. Although Sloth has only a few scenes, Matuszak’s performance brought the character to life, making him beloved by many movie fans. Unfortunately, Matuszak’s untimely death in 1989 at age 38 means that a long-awaited sequel to ‘The Goonies’ will be forever missed.