Sean Astin

Sean Astin (born February 25, 1971) is a film actor, director, and producer. He is the son of actors Patty Duke and John Astin (although his biological father is Michael Tell). At the time of his birth, it was widely assumed that his biological father was Desi Arnaz, Jr. Sean is the older brother of Mackenzie Astin, also an actor (in The Facts of Life).

Biography

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 most recently played Samwise Gamgee in Peter Jackson's the Lord of the Rings movies.

Related Topics:
The Goonies - 1985 - The War of the Roses - Rudy - Samwise Gamgee - Peter Jackson - Lord of the Rings

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

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While working on ' 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.

Related Topics:
Peter Jackson - 2003 - Wellington - New Zealand - Sundance Film Festival

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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 of course derived from the subtitle of The Hobbit by Lord of the Rings author J. R. R. Tolkien.

Related Topics:
2004 - Joe Layden - The Hobbit - J. R. R. Tolkien

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A devoted family man, he and his wife Christine have three daughters, Alexandra (b. November 27, 1996), Elizabeth (b. August 6th, 2002) and Isabella (b. July 22, 2005) all with the same middle name of Louise.

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