Sean Astin

Biography

Sean Astin is well known for his film debut portraying Mikey in Steven Spielberg's _The Goonies (1985)_ (qv), for playing the title role in the critically acclaimed _Rudy (1993)_ (qv), and for his role as the beloved Sam Gamgee in the Academy Award winning trilogy, _The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)_ (qv), _The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)_ (qv), and _The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)_ (qv). Astin was born Sean Patrick Duke on February 25, 1971 in Santa Monica, California. His mother was actress 'Patty Duke' (qv). At the time of his birth, his biological father was believed to be entertainer 'Desi Arnaz Jr.' (qv), but Astin discovered through a DNA test in the 1990s that his biological father is music promoter Michael Tell, who was married to Patty Duke in 1970. Sean was raised by his stepfather, actor 'John Astin' (qv), who married 'Patty Duke' (qv) in 1972 and whose surname Sean took. Sean's mother was of Irish and more distant German ancestry, and Sean's biological father is of Austrian Jewish and Polish Jewish descent. At age nine, Sean starred with his mother in the after-school special _Please Don't Hit Me, Mom (1981) (TV)_ (qv). Followed by Sean's feature debut _The Goonies (1985)_ (qv) and since then, he has had a steady stream of roles. Starring in _Toy Soldiers (1991)_ (qv), _Where the Day Takes You (1991)_ (qv), _Rudy (1993)_ (qv) and _Harrison Bergeron (1995) (TV)_ (qv). He directed and co-produced the short film _Kangaroo Court (1994)_ (qv), which was nominated in the best short film category at _The 67th Annual Academy Awards (1995) (TV)_ (qv). Sean's adoptive father 'John Astin' (qv) was nominated for the same award in 1969. Politically, Sean has been very active having served in two non-partisan Presidential appointments. Sean also hosts a live weekly 2 hour in-studio bi-partisan political radio talk show, 'Vox Populi Radio' which was made possible by a successful crowdfunding campaign in 2013. In 2004, Sean broke into the publishing world and authored the NY Times Best Selling release of There and Back Again a memoir of his film career (co-written with Joe Layden). Sean attended Crossroads High School for the Arts and studied with the famous 'Stella Adler' (qv). He graduated with honors from UCLA; B.A. in History & B.A. in English American Literature and Culture. Sean is married to 'Christine Astin' (qv), his co-producer on _Kangaroo Court (1994)_ (qv). The couple lives in Los Angeles.