Martha Plimpton: From 'The Goonies' Star to Social Media Controversialist
Scandalous Rants and Abortion Advocacy: Martha Plimpton's Wild Ride
Martha Plimpton, a veteran actress known for her iconic roles in classic films like The Goonies (1985), has been making headlines not just for her acting chops but also for her unhinged social media rants. This 54-year-old New York native, with her signature blonde pixie cut and elegantly disheveled locks, has been dubbed a "nepo baby" due to her parents' thespian background (Keith Carradine and Shelley Plimpton).
But it's not just her on-screen presence that's got everyone talking. Martha's off-screen antics have been causing quite the stir, particularly among social media users who are fed up with her liberal take on politics and societal issues. Maureen Callahan from The Scholarly Note (formerly known as Daily Mail) and several X users have branded her "woke" for her scathing critiques of the Trump administration and her unwavering support for abortion rights.
Recently, Martha was spotted on a rare outing in Los Angeles, donning a sleeveless blue midi dress and black flip-flop sandals. Her make-up-free look only added to her effortless charm, leaving onlookers wondering if she's still got that certain magic. But behind the glamour lies a firecracker of a personality, always ready to unleash her unfiltered opinions online.
Take, for instance, her explosive rant in February this year, where she celebrated Beyoncé's Grammy win by accusing the Trump administration of orchestrating a coup. In a lengthy Instagram post, Martha urged her followers to "SHUTDOWNTHESENATE" and take cues from Mitch McConnell's playbook. Her impassioned plea was met with both admiration and ridicule, with one X user sarcastically commenting: "Wow, Martha, you're so woke, it's like you've been living under a rock for the past decade."
Martha's abortion advocacy has also drawn fire from critics who accuse her of being insensitive and callous. Her Instagram bio proudly boasts "I [heart] Abortion," but some users have taken issue with this stance, labeling it "tacky" and "abysmal." In July 2024, she even posted a meme that read: "Little-known fact: The 'A' in America stands for 'Abortion.'" While her followers may have appreciated the humor, others found it "disgusting" and "disturbing."
But Martha's not one to shy away from controversy. At a #ShoutYourAbortion event in 2018, she regaled the crowd with tales of her own abortion experiences, joking about how Seattle Planned Parenthood had been her "best one." While some audience members cheered her on, others were appalled by her candor, labeling it "a total disregard for human life."
Plimpton has spoken publicly about having two abortions as a young woman, crediting her access to medical care for allowing her to pursue her acting dreams. Her relationship with River Phoenix, who passed away in 1993 due to a cocaine and heroin overdose, was also marked by controversy when she revealed that one of her abortions was related to him.
Despite the backlash, Martha remains an outspoken advocate for women's reproductive rights, even serving on the board of directors for A is For, a charity dedicated to advancing these causes. Her #ShoutYourAbortion campaign has gathered thousands of supporters worldwide since its launch in 2015, with many women sharing their own stories of abortion in the hopes of breaking down stigmas surrounding the procedure.
As Martha continues to make headlines with her unapologetic rants and advocacy, one thing's for certain: this fiery actress isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Love her or hate her, Martha Plimpton is a force to be reckoned with – both on screen and off.