Martha Plimpton is an American actress, singer, and activist who first captured audiences as a teenager in the 1985 blockbuster The Goonies. Over the following decades, she built a career that spans film, television, and Broadway, earning critical respect and multiple award nominations along the way.
Born into a family of performers, Plimpton began working as a child actor and successfully transitioned into adult roles. She is also known for her activism, particularly around abortion and LGBT rights, and for her relationship with the late actor River Phoenix.
This article covers her biography, career highlights, personal life, net worth, and the questions fans most often ask about her in 2025.
Who Is Martha Plimpton? Biography and Early Life
Martha Campbell Plimpton was born on November 16, 1970, in New York City to two actors: Keith Carradine and Shelley Plimpton. Her parents’ profession gave her an early entry into the entertainment world. At age eight, composer Elizabeth Swados enrolled her in an actors’ workshop, and by ten she had appeared in a small role in Rollover (1981) and modeled for Calvin Klein commercials. Her first substantial film role came in The River Rat (1984), where she played a tomboy.
November 16, 1970, New York City
Keith Carradine and Shelley Plimpton
The Goonies, TV roles, stage career
$2–4 million (2025)
Key Insights
- Martha Plimpton began acting as a teen in the 1980s, most notably in The Goonies.
- She is the daughter of actor Keith Carradine and actress Shelley Plimpton.
- Plimpton is widely respected for her stage work, with three Tony Award nominations for Pal Joey, Top Girls, and The Coast of Utopia.
- She has never been married and has no children.
- She won a Primetime Emmy Award for her guest role as Patti Nyholm on The Good Wife.
- Plimpton is a prominent abortion rights and LGBT rights activist.
- She appeared in three television series in 2025: Task, Sovereign, and Prime Target.
Snapshot Facts
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Martha Plimpton |
| Birth Date | November 16, 1970 |
| Birthplace | New York City, USA |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years Active | 1980s–present |
| Notable Works | The Goonies, Parenthood, Raising Hope, Hedda Gabler |
| Awards | Drama Desk Award, Outer Critics Circle Award, three-time Tony Nominee |
What Is Martha Plimpton Best Known For? Career Highlights
Plimpton rose to global prominence at age 14 when she played Stef in Steven Spielberg’s The Goonies (1985), a role that remains her most iconic movie part, according to All American Speakers and IMDb. But her career extends far beyond that single film. She has built a body of work across film, television, and theater that has earned her a Primetime Emmy, multiple Emmy nominations, and three Tony Award nominations.
Film Work
After The Goonies, Plimpton appeared in a string of notable films. She starred alongside Harrison Ford in The Mosquito Coast (1986), and later reunited with co-star River Phoenix in Running on Empty (1988). Other film credits include Stars and Bars (1988), Parenthood (1989), Beautiful Girls (1996), 200 Cigarettes, Pecker, and Eye of God, which marked her starring role debut at the Sundance Film Festival, according to her Steppenwolf Theatre biography.
Television Career
Plimpton won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for her role as attorney Patti Nyholm on The Good Wife in 2012. She also received a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for playing Virginia Chance on the sitcom Raising Hope (2010–2014). She starred in the ABC sitcom The Real O’Neals (2016–2017) and has made guest appearances on Law & Order: SVU, ER, and The Defenders.
In 2025, Plimpton appeared in three television series: Task as Kathleen McGinty (6 episodes), Sovereign as Lesley Anne (5 episodes), and Prime Target as Jane Torres (5 episodes), according to IMDb. A role in Beautiful Girls (2026) is listed as in post-production.
Stage Acting and Tony Nominations
Plimpton is a celebrated stage actress. She has received three Tony Award nominations for her performances in Pal Joey, Top Girls, and Tom Stoppard’s The Coast of Utopia. For The Coast of Utopia at Lincoln Center, she won both the Drama Desk Award and the Outer Critics Circle Award. She was an ensemble member of Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre from 1998 to 2019, where she played the title role in Hedda Gabler and received a National Medal of Arts in 1998. Other stage credits include A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Glass Menagerie, The Sisters Rosensweig, and Uncle Vanya.
Martha Plimpton has been nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award four times across different categories, winning once for her guest role on The Good Wife. On Broadway, she has earned three Tony Award nominations, and her performance in The Coast of Utopia brought her both a Drama Desk Award and an Outer Critics Circle Award.
Was Martha Plimpton Married? Relationship and Family Details
Martha Plimpton has never been married. According to IMDb, she was engaged to actor Jon Patrick Walker for a period, but no marriage took place.
Relationship with River Phoenix
Plimpton met River Phoenix while filming The Mosquito Coast in 1986. At age 15, she reportedly did not go out with him at first, but they later began a relationship after working together on Running on Empty (1988). They dated for a while before eventually breaking up. The relationship is frequently mentioned in retrospectives about The Goonies and Phoenix’s life, as noted by public interviews.
Does She Have Children?
Based on available information, Plimpton does not have any biological children. The focus of the research materials is on her professional career and activism work.
No current romantic partner is publicly known as of 2025. The exact timeline of her past relationship with River Phoenix remains private, and details beyond their dating period are not publicly documented.
What Is Martha Plimpton’s Net Worth?
Exact net worth figures for Martha Plimpton are not publicly confirmed by official sources. Estimates from publicly available information place her net worth in the range of $2 to $4 million as of 2025. Her income likely comes from her extensive work in film, television, and stage productions, as well as residuals from long-running series like Raising Hope and The Good Wife.
Plimpton’s primary income sources include her acting roles in film and television, her work on Broadway and at Steppenwolf Theatre, and potential earnings from speaking engagements and activism-related work.
What Is Martha Plimpton’s Career Timeline?
- 1970: Born in New York City to actors Keith Carradine and Shelley Plimpton.
- 1985: Cast as Stef in Steven Spielberg’s The Goonies, her breakout role.
- 1988: Stars in Running on Empty alongside River Phoenix, with whom she begins a relationship.
- 2010–2014: Plays Virginia Chance on the sitcom Raising Hope, earning a Primetime Emmy nomination.
- 2012: Wins a Primetime Emmy for her guest role as Patti Nyholm on The Good Wife.
- 2016–2017: Stars in the ABC sitcom The Real O’Neals.
- 2025: Appears in three television series: Task, Sovereign, and Prime Target.
What Is Known and Unconfirmed About Martha Plimpton’s Life?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Martha Plimpton was born on November 16, 1970 in New York City. | Exact net worth figures are not publicly confirmed; estimates vary between $2–4 million. |
| Her parents are Keith Carradine and Shelley Plimpton. | Her relationship with River Phoenix ended before his death, but the exact timeline is private. |
| She starred in The Goonies (1985). | No current romantic partner is publicly known as of 2025. |
| She has never been married. | No detailed breakdown of her income or financial holdings is publicly available. |
| She has no biological children. | — |
Why Martha Plimpton Remains a Respected Figure
Martha Plimpton’s career stands out for its successful transition from child star to acclaimed stage actress. Unlike many former teen performers, she avoided major scandals and built a reputation on artistic merit. She has received recognition from the Tony Awards, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle, and her work at Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago earned her ensemble membership for over two decades.
Her roots in a famous acting family and her ability to take on challenging roles across film, television, and theater underscore her lasting relevance. In 2025, she continues to be active in television and remains a vocal advocate for abortion rights and LGBT rights, having lobbied Congress on behalf of Planned Parenthood and served on the board of the women’s rights organization “A Is For.”
For a broader look at actors who have balanced screen and stage work, see our profile on Sue Holderness – Biography, TV Roles and Family Life, and for another example of an actor-activist, read about Mark Ruffalo – Biography, Movies, Net Worth and Activism in 2025.
Where Can You Find Reliable Information About Martha Plimpton?
The most reliable information about Martha Plimpton comes from her Steppenwolf Theatre biography, which provides detailed credit lists and award mentions, and from her IMDb page, which tracks her filmography and career updates. Additional context can be found in interviews such as the one she gave to Fresh Air, where she discussed her life and career.
“Martha Plimpton played the title character in Steppenwolf’s Hedda Gabler. She was Tony-nominated and won the Drama Desk and Outer Critics Award.”
— Steppenwolf Theatre Ensemble Bio
“Martha Plimpton (born November 16, 1970) is an American actress. She started her career as a teen actress in film before transitioning to adult roles on stage.”
— Wikipedia
What Is Martha Plimpton’s Legacy?
Martha Plimpton’s legacy is defined by her artistic integrity and successful transition from child star to a respected stage and screen actress. As of 2025, no major upcoming film or television projects have been announced, but she is expected to continue stage work and occasional television appearances. Her career serves as a model for how a young performer can mature into a versatile artist without losing credibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Martha Plimpton?
She was born on November 16, 1970, making her 54 years old as of 2025.
Is Martha Plimpton related to any other actors?
Yes, she is the daughter of actors Keith Carradine and Shelley Plimpton. She also has family ties to the Carradine acting dynasty.
What is Martha Plimpton’s most famous role?
She is best known for playing Stef in the 1985 film The Goonies.
Did Martha Plimpton date River Phoenix?
Yes, she was in a relationship with River Phoenix in the late 1980s. They met on the set of The Mosquito Coast and later dated after working together on Running on Empty.
How many children does Martha Plimpton have?
Martha Plimpton does not have any children.
What awards has Martha Plimpton won?
She won a Primetime Emmy Award for The Good Wife and has three Tony Award nominations. She also won a Drama Desk Award and Outer Critics Circle Award for The Coast of Utopia.
What role did Martha Plimpton play in The Goonies?
She played Stef, a tomboy and one of the main kids who go on the adventure to find the treasure.
Was Martha Plimpton ever married?
No, she has never been married. She was previously engaged to actor Jon Patrick Walker.
What TV shows has Martha Plimpton been in recently?
In 2025, she appeared in Task, Sovereign, and Prime Target.
What is Martha Plimpton’s net worth in 2025?
Exact figures are not confirmed, but estimates place her net worth between $2 million and $4 million.
Laura Pemberton is Entertainment Editor at readingwire.co.uk, covering celebrity news, film, TV, music, arts and culture.