"Sam is the best kind of friend. Through thick or thin, he is always there. I found myself gravitating toward that quality in my portrayal, toward this idea of an earnest, loyal, decent fellow."
QUICK BIO
BIOGRAPHY
The American film actor, director, voice artist and producer is son to Patty Duke and Michael Tell (Though, it was thought earlier, that Astin’s father was Desi Arnaz).
Astin attended the Crossroads High School for the Arts and master classes at the Stella Adler Conservatory in Las Angeles. He then went on to graduate from UCLA with a B.A. in History and English.
Astin also attended a Catholic School and is currently a Protestant Christian, attending the Presbyterian Church in Bel Air, California. Astin also practiced Buddhism for a time. His mother, Patty, is a Catholic; while his father, Michael, is Jewish. Astin portrays the role of Matthew in The Truth & Life Dramatized audio New Testament Bible, a 22-hour, celebrity-voiced, fully dramatized audio version of the New Testament, which uses the RSV-CE.
Astin attended the Crossroads High School for the Arts and master classes at the Stella Adler Conservatory in Las Angeles. He then went on to graduate from UCLA with a B.A. in History and English.
Astin also attended a Catholic School and is currently a Protestant Christian, attending the Presbyterian Church in Bel Air, California. Astin also practiced Buddhism for a time. His mother, Patty, is a Catholic; while his father, Michael, is Jewish. Astin portrays the role of Matthew in The Truth & Life Dramatized audio New Testament Bible, a 22-hour, celebrity-voiced, fully dramatized audio version of the New Testament, which uses the RSV-CE.
While working on the set of The Lord of the Rings, Astin became really good friends with the cast, especially his co-star, Elijah Wood. He was one of the eight stars to get the ‘nine’ tattoo. He chose to get his done on his ankle. It was Astin’s daughter, Alexandra, that played Elanor Gamgee (Sam’s Daughter) at the end of The Return of the King.
Astin has starred alongside many famous actors, including Adam Sandler in 50 First Dates (2004) and Click (2006)
Astin, and his wife, Christine Harrell (who held the Miss Indiana Teen USA title in 1984) are currently making a movie based on Lois Lowry’s Newbery Medial-winning novel, Number the Stars.
Astin has starred alongside many famous actors, including Adam Sandler in 50 First Dates (2004) and Click (2006)
Astin, and his wife, Christine Harrell (who held the Miss Indiana Teen USA title in 1984) are currently making a movie based on Lois Lowry’s Newbery Medial-winning novel, Number the Stars.
AWARDS
YEAR
1985
1989 2003 |
WORK
The Goonies
Staying Together The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King |
AWARD
Young Artist Award
Young Artist Award Las Vegas Film Critics Society Award Phoenix Film Critics Society Award Saturn Award Seattle Film Critics Award Empire Awards Chicago Film Critics Society Award Online Film Critics Society Award |
CATEGORY
Best Starring Performance By A Young Actor
Best Young Actor Starring In A Motion Picture Best Supporting Actor Best Supporting Actor Best Supporting Actor Best Supporting Actor Best Actor Best Supporting Actor Best Supporting Actor |
RESULT
WON
WON WON WON WON WON Nominated Nominated Nominated |
MOST NOTABLE MILESTONES
1981
1986 1987 1990 1993 1994 1996 1998 2003 2004 2005 2006 2010 2011 2012 |
Astin had his first acting role in the television movie, Please Don’t Hit Me, Mom
Astin, aged 13, made his film debut in The Goonies Starring alongside Kevin Bacon, he made an appearance in White Water Summer Appeared in the World War II film, Memphis Belle Cast in Rudy, a story about the life-changing struggles and rewards of Daniel Ruettiger (Astin) Astin, along with his wife, Christine Astin, directed and co-produced the short film Kangaroo Court which received an Academy Award nomination for Best Live Action Short Film Was in the film about the Gulf War, Courage Under Fire Appeared in the Warren Beatty political satire, Bulworth Astin received many award nominations for his performance in The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King, taking home the Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor and awards from the Las Vegas Film Critics Society, the Seattle Film Critics, the Utah Film Critics Association and the Phoenix Film Critics Society. As an ensemble, The Return of the King cast received awards from the National Board of Review of Motion Pictures and the Screen Actors Guild Sean’s film that he persuaded a number of fellow cast and crew members to be in (including Sir Peter), was premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and appears on the DVD for The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, along with a ‘making of’ video Astin released There and Back Again, a memoir (co-written with Joe Layden) of his film career with emphasis on his experiences with The Lord of the Rings trilogy Narrated the American version of the Animal Planet series, Meerkat Manor Appeared as Lynn McGill in the Fifth Season of 24 Joined the Stella Adler Las Angeles Theatre Collective acting company Astin served as the campaign manager for his friend, Democrat Dan Adler, a businessman in the entertainment industry, for California’s 36th congressional district special election Currently voices Raphael in the Nickelodeon Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Oso in the Disney Junior show, Special Agent Oso |
SEAN ASTIN PORTRAYS:
SAMWISE GAMGEE
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy