Astin's portrayal of Samwise Gamgee in The Lord of the Rings is beloved for imbuing the character with heart, courage, loyalty, and humor. Sam's emotional monologues and selfless actions, like refusing to let Frodo go alone to Mordor, define his heroic journey. Astin's performance in Sam's emotional farewell to Frodo in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King showcases their deep, vulnerable friendship.

Sean Astin's performance in The Lord of the Rings films helped solidify Samwise Gamgee as an all-time beloved fictional character. Astin further elevated the enduring character created by J.R.R. Tolkien, imbuing Sam with heart, courage, loyalty, humility, and a sense of humor that makes it easy to invest in his journey. Sam proved to be the ultimate friend and ally through his actions and the sacrifices he made to help Frodo (Elijah Wood).

While Astin has had many prominent roles outside The Lord of the Rings,...