Astin, Sean 1971–

PERSONAL

Full name, Sean Patrick Astin; born February 25, 1971, in Santa Monica, CA; son of Michael Tell (a rock concert promoter) and Patty Duke (an actress); adopted son of John Astin (an actor, director, and writer); brother of Mackenzie Astin (an actor) and Thomas E. Astin (an actor); married Christine Louise Harrell (an actress and producer), July 11, 1992; children: Alexandra Louise, Elizabeth Louise, Isabella Louise. Education: Attended Los Angeles Valley College; University of California, Los Angeles, B.A., English, and B.A. (with honors), history; studied acting with Stella Adler.

Addresses: Agent—Paradigm, 360 North Crescent Dr., North Bldg., Beverly Hills, CA 90210. Manager—The Collective, 9100 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 700 West, Beverly Hills, CA 90212. Publicist—David Lust, Patricola/Lust Public Relations, 8383 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 530, Beverly Hills, CA 90211.

Career: Actor, director, and producer. Lava Entertainment, cofounder, partner, and producer. Appointed member of president's Council on Service and Civic Participation; National Center for Family Literacy, celebrity spokesperson; Verizon literacy champion; Los Angeles Valley College, member of Arts Council.

Member: Screen Actors Guild, American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, Directors Guild of America, Los Angeles Valley College Patrons Association (member of board of directors).

Awards, Honors: Young Artist Awards, best young actor starring in a motion picture, 1986, for The Goonies, and 1990, for Staying Together; Young Artist Award nomination (with others), outstanding young ensemble cast in a motion picture, 1992, for Toy Soldiers; Academy Award nomination (with Christine Astin), best live-action short film, 1995, for Kangaroo Court; President Award, Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival, 1995, for The Low Life; Screen Actors Guild Award nomination (with others), outstanding performance by the cast of a theatrical motion picture, and Phoenix Film Critics Society Award (with others), both best ensemble, 2002, for The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring; Screen Actors Guild Award nomination (with others), outstanding performance by the cast of a theatrical motion pictures, Phoenix Film Critics Society Award (with others), best ensemble acting, Online Film Critics Society Award (with others), best ensemble, Visual Effects Society Award (with Elijah Wood and Andy Serkis), best actor in an effects film, MTV Movie Award (with Wood and the animated character Gollum), best on-screen team, and DVD Exclusive Award nomination (with others), best audio commentary, all 2003, for The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers; National Board of Review Award (with others), best ensemble, 2003, Seattle Film Critics Award, best supporting actor, 2003, Saturn Award, best supporting actor, Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Films, Chicago Film Critics Association Award nomination, best supporting actor, Sierra Award, best supporting actor, Las Vegas Film Critics Society, Phoenix Film Critics Society Award nominations, best performance by an actor in a supporting role and best ensemble acting (with others), Online Film Critics Society Award nomination, best supporting actor, Empire Award nomination, best actor, Empire magazine, Visual Effects Society Award, outstanding actor or actress in an effects film, Screen Actors Guild Award (with others), outstanding performance by a cast in a motion picture, Broadcast Film Critics Association Award (with others), best acting ensemble, and Cinema-rati Award, best ensemble cast, Web Alliance for Film Commentary, all 2004, all for The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.

CREDITS

Film Appearances:

(Film debut) Mike "Mikey" Walsh, The Goonies, Warner Bros., 1985.

Alan Block and narrator, White Water Summer (also known as The Rites of Summer), Columbia, 1987.

Clarence (Trigger), Like Father, Like Son, TriStar, 1987.

Duncan McDermott, Staying Together, Hemdale, 1989.

Josh at age seventeen, The War of the Roses, Twentieth Century-Fox, 1989.

Sergeant Richard "Rascal" Moore, Memphis Belle, Warner Bros., 1990.

William "Billy" Tepper, Toy Soldiers, TriStar, 1991.

Michael, The Willies, Paramount, 1991.

Dave Morgan, Encino Man (also known as California Man), Buena Vista, 1992.

Greg, Where the Day Takes You, New Line Cinema, 1992.

Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger, Rudy TriStar, 1993.

(Uncredited) Stepbrother, Teresa's Tattoo, Trimark Pictures, 1994.

Andrew, The Low Life, CFP Distribution, 1994.

Izzy Singer, Safe Passage, New Line Cinema, 1995.

Patella, Courage Under Fire, Twentieth Century-Fox, 1996.

Voice of Earl G. Harrison (narrator), The Long Way Home (documentary), Seventh Art Releasing, 1997.

Ralphie, Deterrence, Paramount, 1998.

Mike, Boy Meets Girl, 1998.

Gary, Bulworth, Twentieth Century-Fox, 1998.

Mr. Schwartz, The Sky Is Falling, Showcase Entertainment, 1999.

Morgan, Dish Dogs, Vision Films, 2000.

Samwise "Sam" Gamgee, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (also known as The Fellowship of the Ring and The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring—the Motion Picture), New Line Cinema, 2001.

Samwise "Sam" Gamgee, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (also known as The Two Towers, Der herr der ringe: die zwei tuerme, and Bechdebis mbrdzanebeli), New Line Cinema, 2002.

Samwise "Sam" Gamgee, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (also known as The Return of the King and Der herr der ringe: die rueckkehr des koenigs), New Line Cinema, 2003.

Doug Whitmore, 50 First Dates, Columbia, 2004.

Aaron, Elvis Has Left the Building, Capitol Films, 2004.

Voice of Kodi, Balto III: Wings of Change, Universal, 2004.

Narrator, California Sea Lions (documentary), Rio Films, 2004.

Doug Whitmore, The Dating Scene (documentary), Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment, 2004.

Himself, Film Trix (documentary short film), Cornuko-pia Entertainment, 2004.

Coach Amal, Thanks to Gravity, Voyage Entertainment, 2005.

Randall, Borderland, Lions Gate Films, 2005.

Kip Kipling, Marilyn Hotchkiss Ballroom Dancing & Charm School, Samuel Goldwyn Films, 2005.

Ken Zorbell, Bigger than the Sky, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 2005.

Mr. Matthews, Smile, B.D. Fox Marketing and Distribution, 2005.

Himself, Ringers: Lord of the Fans (documentary), Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, 2005.

George, What Love Is, Big Sky Motion Pictures/Blessed Films, 2006.

Bill Rando, Click, Sony Pictures Releasing, 2006.

Film Producer and Director:

On My Honor (short film), 1988.

(With wife Christine Astin) Kangaroo Court (short film), 1994.

The Long and Short of It, 2003.

Television Appearances; Series:

Voice, The Legend of Prince Valiant (animated), The Family Channel, 1991.

Mr. Smith, Jeremiah, Showtime, 2003–2004.

Lynn McGill, a recurring role, 24, Fox, 2006.

Television Appearances; Miniseries:

Charlie Hagen, The Rules of Marriage, CBS, 1982.

Participant, Celebrity Poker Showdown, Bravo, 2004.

Martin Jarrett, Into the West, TNT, 2005.

Television Appearances; Movies:

Leonard Kinsey, "The B.R.A.T. Patrol," Disney Sunday Movie, ABC, 1986.

Harrison Bergeron, Harrison Bergeron (also known as Kurt Vonnegut's "Harrison Bergeron"), Showtime, 1995.

Bob, Kimberly (also known as Daddy Who?), 1999.

Bob Pomerantz, The Last Producer (also known as The Final Hit), USA Network, 2000.

Matt Foster, Icebreaker, HBO, 2001.

Voices of Randall P. McDuff and Josiah, Party Wagon (animated), Cartoon Network, 2004.

Stuart Conway, Slipstream, Sci-Fi Channel, 2005.

Linus, Hercules, NBC, 2005.

Television Appearances; Episodic:

I'm Telling!, NBC, 1988.

Taylor, "Snap Ending," Perversions of Science, HBO, 1997.

"Patty Duke," Celebrity Profile, E! Entertainment Television, 1999.

Lloyd Campbell, "You Can't Take It with You," Las Vegas, NBC, 2004.

Pix the Elf Hero, "Twinkle's Star," Higglytown Heroes, The Disney Channel, 2004.

Himself, "50 First Dates," HBO First Look, HBO, 2004.

Television Appearances; Pilots:

Just Our Luck, 1983.

Sean, The Guys, ABC, 2006.

Television Appearances; Specials:

(Professional debut) Brian Reynolds, "Please Don't Hit Me, Mom," ABC Afterschool Special, ABC, 1981.

The Making of "The Goonies," 1985.

Interviewee, Passage to Middle-Earth: The Making of "The Lord of the Rings," Sci-Fi Channel, 2001.

National Geographic: Beyond the Movie—The Lord of the Rings, 2001.

Quest for the Ring, Fox, 2001.

Making the Movie (also known as Making the Movie: Lord of the Rings), MTV, 2002.

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, Return to Middle Earth, The WB, 2002.

100 Years of Hope and Humor, NBC, 2003.

"Patty Duke," Biography, Arts and Entertainment, 2003.

National Geographic: Beyond the Movie—The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King, 2003.

The Lord of the Rings: The Quest Fulfilled, 2003.

Journey to Middle Earth: The Lord of the Rings—The Return of the King, Arts and Entertainment, 2004.

Comedy Central's Bar Mitzvah Bash!, Comedy Central, 2004.

DNZ: The Real Middle Earth, TV New Zealand, 2004.

Commentator, 202 Most Unforgettable SNL Moments, E! Entertainment Television, 2004.

Reel Comedy: 50 First Dates, Comedy Central, 2004.

Himself, E! Special: Famous Last Names, E! Entertainment Television, 2004.

Himself, "Raised for the Rings," 20/20 (also known as ABC News 20/20), ABC, 2004.

Television Appearances; Awards Presentations:

Presenter, The 7th Annual Critics' Choice Awards, E! Entertainment Television, 2002.

AFI Awards 2001, CBS, 2002.

Presenter, The 9th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards, TNT, 2003.

2003 MTV Movie Awards, MTV, 2003.

Presenter, The 46th Annual Grammy Awards, CBS, 2004.

10th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards, TNT, 2004.

The 76th Annual Academy Awards, ABC, 2004.

2004 MTV Movie Awards, MTV, 2004.

Presenter, The 56th Annual Writers Guild Awards, Starz!, 2004.

Television Guest Appearances; Episodic:

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (also known as The Best of Carson), NBC, 1991.

The Rosie O'Donnell Show, syndicated, 2001.

SM:TV Live (also known as Saturday Morning Television, SM:TV, and SM:TV Gold), ITV1, 2001.

Total Request Live (also known as Total Request with Carson Daly and TRL), MTV, 2001, 2003.

Dinner for Five, Independent Film Channel, 2002.

The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, NBC, 2002, 2006.

Frids film, 2003.

4Pop, 2003.

Tinseltown TV, International Channel, 2003.

Late Night with Conan O'Brien, NBC, 2003.

The Wayne Brady Show, syndicated, 2004.

Real Time with Bill Maher, HBO, 2004.

Late Show with David Letterman (also known as The Late Show and Late Show Backstage), CBS, 2004.

Rove Live, 10 Network, 2004.

The O'Reilly Factor, Fox News Channel, 2004.

McEnroe, NBC, 2004.

Richard & Judy, Channel 4, 2004.

Ellen: The Ellen DeGeneres Show, syndicated, 2004, 2005.

The View, ABC, 2004, 2005, 2006.

The Tony Danza Show, syndicated, 2004, 2006.

The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, CBS, 2005.

Also appeared in an episode of Best Week Ever, VH1.

Television Director; Episodic:

"Snap Ending," Perversions of Science, HBO, 1997.

"Soulless," Angel (also known as Angel: The Series), The WB, c. 2002.

Jeremiah, Showtime, c. 2002.

Also directed an episode of 100 Deeds for Eddie McDowd, Nickelodeon.

Television Work; Movies:

Coproducer, Slipstream, Sci-Fi Channel, 2005.

Stage Appearances:

Appeared in Lone Star, Los Angeles, CA.

RECORDINGS

Videos:

Breaking the Silence: The Making of "Hannibal," Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Home Entertainment, 2001.

The Making of "The Lord of the Rings," 2002.

Voice of Hercules, Kingdom Hearts (video game; also known as Kingudamu hatsu), Square Electronic Arts, 2002.

Voice of Samwise "Sam" Gamgee, The Lord of the Rings: Two Towers (video game), Electronic Arts, 2002.

Voice of Samwise "Sam" Gamgee, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (video game), EA Games, 2003.

Voice of Samwise "Sam" Gamgee, The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age (video game), Electronic Arts, 2004.

Voice of Pat "Mouth" Hodges, Men of Valor (video game), 2015, 2004.

Appeared in the music video "The Goonies 'R' Good Enough" by Cyndi Lauper, 1985.

WRITINGS

Film Scripts:

The Long and Short of It (also based on story by Astin), 2003.

Books:

(With Joe Layden) There and Back Again: An Actor's Tale (autobiography), St. Martin's Press, 2004.

OTHER SOURCES

Books:

Astin, Sean, and Joe Layden, There and Back Again: An Actor's Tale, St. Martin's Press, 2004.

Newsmakers, Issue 1, Thomson Gale, 2005.

Periodicals:

Buffy the Vampire Slayer, June, 2003, pp. 48-51.

Dreamwatch, November, 2002, pp. 42-44.

Entertainment Weekly, January 16, 2004, pp. 30-31.

People Weekly, June 15, 1992, pp. 59-60.

TV Guide, December 12, 2004, pp. 34-36; January 9, 2006, p. 30.

Xpose, April, 2003, pp. 15-21.

Electronic:

Sean Astin Official Site, http://www.seanastin.com, May 23, 2006.