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Sean Astin (born February 25, 1971 in Santa Monica, California) is a film actor, director, and Oscar nominated producer.

Early life


He is the son of actors Patty Duke and John Astin, although his biological father is Michael Tell, a Jewish-American writer who divorced Patty Duke shortly before her marriage to Astin. At the time of his birth, it was widely assumed that his biological father was Desi Arnaz, Jr., although this has been stated as incorrect. Sean is the older brother of Mackenzie Astin, also an actor (in The Facts of Life).

Film career


Astin has gained much of his acting fame from several major roles. At age 13, he debuted on the silver screen as Mikey in The Goonies (1985). He had a small role in 1989's The War of the Roses and in 1993 got the memorable part as the title character in Rudy. Astin recently played Samwise Gamgee in Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings film trilogy. He also played the brother of Lucy (Drew Barrymore) in the Adam Sandler film 50 First Dates. He even provided the voice for Balto's son, Kodi in the Wings of Change of Balto.

In 1994, he directed and co-produced (with his wife, Christine) the Academy Award nominated short film Kangaroo Court.

While working on The Two Towers (film) he persuaded a number of fellow cast and crew members, including director Peter Jackson, to act in or work as crew on his short film, The Long and Short of It (2003), which takes place on a street in Wellington, New Zealand. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, 2003, and appears on the "standard edition" DVD of The Two Towers as an extra feature together with a "making of" video.

Astin appeared as Lynn McGill in the fifth season of the FOX drama 24.

He also has a role in the Adam Sandler's Click

Personal life


Astin married Christine Harrell on July 11, 1992. They have three daughters, Alexandra (b. November 27, 1996), Elizabeth (b. August 6, 2002) and Isabella (b. July 22, 2005), all with the same middle name of Louise.

His book There and Back Again: An Actor's Tale (2004, ISBN 0312331460), co-written by Joe Layden, is an account of his experiences before, during and after filming the Lord of the Rings movies. The title is derived from the subtitle of The Hobbit by Lord of the Rings author J. R. R. Tolkien. He jumped at the chance to work in New Zealand again in 2004, as the mythical "Linus", tutor of Hercules, in Robert Halmi Senior's Hallmark sponsored remake.

Education


  • Graduated with honors from UCLA with B.A.s in History and English (American Literature and Culture).
  • Alumnus of and now serves on the Board of Directors of the Patrons Association and the Arts Council for Los Angeles Valley College.
  • Crossroads High School for the Arts
  • Participated in master classes at the Stella Adler Conservatory in Los Angeles

Filmography


Films Sean Astin acted in:

Year Title Role Other notes
2008 Cat Tale Rover (voice)
2007 The Final Season Kent Stock
2006 Cowboys for Christ
What Love Is George
Click Bill
24 Lynn McGill (Television)
2005 Smile Mr. Matthews
Bigger Than the Sky Ken Zorbell
Slipstream Stuart Conway
Marilyn Hotchkiss Ballroom Dancing & Charm School Kip Kipling
Borderland Randall
Thanks to Gravity Coach Amal
2004 Wings of Change Kodi (voice)
Elvis Has Left the Building Aaron
50 First Dates Doug Whitmore
2003 The Return of the King Sam Gamgee
2002 The Two Towers Sam Gamgee
2001 The Fellowship of the Ring Sam Gamgee
2000 Dish Dogs Morgan (voice)
The Last Produce Bo Pomerantz
Icebreaker Matt Foster
The Sky is Falling Mr. Schwartz
1999 Deterrence Ralph
Kimberly Bob
1998 Boy Meets Girl Mike
Bulworth Gary
1996 Courage Under Fire Patella
1995 The Low Life Andrew
1994 Safe Passage Izzy Singer
1993 Rudy Daniel E. "Rudy" Ruettiger
1992 Where the Day Takes You Greg
Encino Man Dave Morgan
1991 Toy Soldiers William "Billy" Tepper
The Willies Michael
1990 Memphis Belle Sgt. Richard "Rascal" Moore
1989 The War of the Roses Josh at 17
Staying Together Duncan McDermott
1987 Like Father Like Son Clarence aka Trigger
White Water Summer Alan
1985 The Goonies Mikey Walsh

External links


1971 births | American film actors | American film directors | American film producers | American television actors | American child actors | Irish-American actors | Jewish American actors | Kingdom Hearts voice actors | Living people | Santa Monicans | The Lord of the Rings film series actors | 24 (TV series) actors | English-language film directors | Film actors

Sean Astin | Sean Astin | Sean Astin | Sean Astin | Sean Astin | ショーン・アスティン | Sean Astin | Sean Astin | Sean Astin | Sean Astin | Sean Astin

 

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