The Goonies star Martha Plimpton has revealed she’s received a life-changing diagnosis at 50-years-old as she admits she is now ‘finally free’ and ‘not ashamed’
The Goonies actress Martha Plimpton has revealed she’s received a life-changing diagnosis. The film star, 54, received the diagnosis later in life and has admitted she is “finally free”.
She said things have started to feel right now and that she is “not ashamed”. Martha shared how she was diagnosed with ADHD four years ago, when she was 50.
According to the NHS, ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) is a condition where the brain works differently to most people. People with ADHD may have trouble with things like concentrating and sitting still.
“I’m actually a late diagnosis ADHD, like millions of others. It was actually a huge relief to be diagnosed,” Martha said a the premiere of her HBO mini series Task.
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She added: “So many little things fell into place and made sense that hadn’t made sense before. I’m glad to be sharing my ADHDness with the world.”
ADHD is thought to be recognised in men more than women. The NHS say this may be because women with ADHD more commonly have inattentive symptoms, which can be harder to recognise than hyperactive symptoms.
Martha proudly wore a diamond necklace featuring the letters ADHD as she attended the event for her upcoming TV project. Earlier this year, the Goonies marked its 40th anniversary.
Back in 1985, the much-adored film introduced us to a bunch of plucky kids known as the Goonies who embarked on an epic quest to unearth the fabled pirate treasure of One-Eyed Willy.
Martha portrayed Stef, Andy’s witty best mate in the iconic 80s movie. She appeared alongside Andy, who was played by actress Kerri Green. After the Goonies, Kerri featured in films like Lucas in 1986 and Three for the Road in 1987, before withdrawing from the spotlight.
She later co-founded Independent Women Artists, a film production company, and directed the film Bellyfruit, which tackles teen pregnancy. Post-Goonies, Martha has had a varied career spanning film, TV, and theatre.
Her role in the television series Raising Hope, which aired from 2010 to 2014, earned her critical praise. She has also featured in shows like The Good Wife and Younger.
She briefly dated actor River Phoenix and remained close with him until his tragic death in 1993. Martha spoke of his substance abuse and previously said: “When we split up, a lot of it was that I had learned that screaming, fighting, and begging wasn’t going to change him. He had to change himself, and he didn’t want to yet.”
Martha has become a vocal advocate for reproductive rights and co-founded the organisation A Is For. She continues to act and splits her time between Brooklyn, London, and Los Angeles. Her latest acting gig was in The Regime in 2024.
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