- His biological father is actually Michael Tell, whom Patty Duke
was married to for less than a month in 1970. Sean was adopted at age 3 by
John Astin, but considers both men to be his father. - Because Sean's mother was bi-polar, Sean is very active in trying to
educate and help the public with identifying and treating mental
disorders. - Had to gain 35 to 40 pounds for his role of Samwise 'Sam' Gamgee in the
"Lord of the Rings" trilogy. - During a break in principal photography from the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, Astin directed trilogy director Peter Jackson and fellow cast members in a five-minute short film, The Long and Short of It (2003), about camaraderie and friendship within difficult working environments, which mirrored a significant theme of the trilogy. Astin was able to borrow a cutting-edge digital camera from Lucasfilm representatives (who had been demonstrating the camera for Jackson) for a day to make the short. The film was included as a bonus on the DVD release of The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002).
- On 4 December 2001, Sean had his image as Samwise Gamgee immortalized
on a 90-cent New Zealand postage stamp that he shares with "Lord of the
Rings" co-star Elijah Wood (Frodo Baggins). However, Sean's
last name is spelled incorrectly on the presentation pack of the stamps
(Austin instead of Astin). - While filming The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), Astin (as Samwise Gamgee) ran into a lake to stop
Frodo (Elijah Wood). When he did this, he stepped on a piece of glass and
had to be rushed to the hospital. He received many stitches to repair
the injury. - In The Goonies (1985), his character cries out "Holy Mackenzie!"
His brother is Mackenzie Astin. He claimed he was allowed to
keep the treasure map used in the film. However, the map was lost
forever when his mother discovered it several years later, thought it
was just a crinkled piece of paper, and threw it in the trash. - Believed that Desi Arnaz Jr. was his biological father until a blood
test in 1990 revealed that Michael Tell is his biological father. - Graduated from UCLA with honors & a B.A. in History & English.
- Calls four people "Dad": John Astin, Desi Arnaz Jr., Mike Tell and Michael Pearce (his step-father).
- The title of his autobiography, "There and Back Again," is actually the
alternate title for "The Hobbit" and, in the story, is the title of
Bilbo Baggins' autobiography. - He and his father, John Astin, have both appeared in a Best Picture winner. Sean
appeared in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) and John
appeared in West Side Story (1961). - Left the room halfway during recording DVD commentary for The Goonies (1985) and
never returned. The recording session started late, and Sean had an
earlier commitment to introduce friend Joe Pantoliano who was M.C.'ing at a
local theatre. Left the recording studio to change clothes, then
returned to explain why he had to leave, give a "shout out to Joey
Pants," and left an action figure of Sam Gamgee to take his place.
However, the departure and explanation were edited out by the DVD
producers. - Attended Crossroads High School in Santa Monica, California, with
actor/musician Jack Black. Was cast in a school play/film
when Black backed out. - Son of Michael Tell and actress Patty Duke.
- Narrated the American version of Meerkat Manor. The British version was narrated by Bill Nighy, who also preceded him in the role of Sam Gamgee.
- His casting in the fifth season of 24 (2001) came about by sheer luck. One day at his chiropractor's, he discovered that Joel Surnow was also a patient; they had a short meeting and Surnow offered him the role of Lynn McGill.
- July 22, 2005, welcomed third child, daughter Isabella Louise at 5lb
4oz. She was a month premature. - Keith Coogan is the grandson of Jackie Coogan who played Uncle Fester in
The Addams Family (1964). Sean Astin is the son of John Astin who played Gomez
Addams in The Addams Family (1964). Keith Coogan and Sean Astin played friends
in Toy Soldiers (1991). - Announced at the Texas Film Festival on 22 February 2003 that he has
optioned the book "Issac's Storm" and is planning on shooting an epic
film centered around the Galveston Hurricane of 1900. - He has appeared in two films that have been selected for the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically or aesthetically" significant: The Goonies (1985) and The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001).
- Started his own production company, Lava Entertainment, in the late
1980s. - He is a Verizon Literacy Champion and the National Center for Family
Literacy celebrity spokesperson. - He and his brother, Mackenzie Astin, both guest-starred in Season 9 of NCIS (2003). Mackenzie was in the episode, Life Before His Eyes (2012), and Sean was in The Tell (2012).
- August 6, 2002, welcomed second child daughter Elizabeth Louise.
- His brother, Mackenzie Astin, appeared in Life Before His Eyes (2012), the 200th episode of NCIS (2003) and a month later, Sean appeared on the same show in The Tell (2012), episode 204.
- Older half brother of actor Mackenzie Astin.
- Has three other half brothers: David, Allen and Tom.
- First daughter Ali Astin was born. (November 27, 1996)
- He received 20 stitches in his foot after a piece of glass, that the Lord of the Rings crew was unaware of, pierced his foot.
- Auditioned for the role of Chris Chambers in Stand by Me (1986).
- In February 2003, Sean was appointed to the President's Council on
Service and Civic Participation. - Gave the 2008 commencement address at Luther College, Decorah, Iowa, along with Kent Stock, Luther alum, whose story Sean depicted in The Final Season (2007).
- Wanted to direct Fantastic Four (2005) at one point.
- Has hit bad guys over the head with a frying pan in two different movies: as Sam Gamgee in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) and also as Billy Tepper in Toy Soldiers (1991).
- Is the second actor from a "Lord of the Rings" adaptation to have a
relative in an Addams Family adaptation. His father, John Astin, played
Gomez on The Addams Family (1964). John Huston, who voiced Gandalf in the animated version
of The Return of the King (1980), is the father of Anjelica Huston, who played Morticia in the
films. - His biological father, Michael Tell, is of Austrian Jewish and Polish Jewish ancestry. His mother, Patty Duke, was of seven eighths Irish and one eighth German, descent.
- Was delivered via emergency Caesarean section.
- September 2004 - Attended the Armaggeddon Pulp Culture Expo Convention
in Wellington, New Zealand, as a Lord of the Rings guest. - Nephew of Ray Duke.
- Appeared at Wizard World signing autographs on August 9, 2003.
- Attending Collectormania 7 at Milton Keynes, and...
negotiating to appear in a baseball movie if funding can be secured. (May 2005) - Reshooting scenes for The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003). (June 2003)
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