Sean Astin

Astin was born in Santa Monica, California, on February 25, 1971, the son of actress Patty Duke (1946–2016) and Michael Tell (1944/1945–2025).{{cite encyclopedia |url=http://www.encyclopedia.com/article-1G2-3448800020/astin-sean-patrick-1971.html |title=Astin, Sean (Patrick) |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia.com |access-date=March 15, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307091652/http://www.encyclopedia.com/article-1G2-3448800020/astin-sean-patrick-1971.html |archive-date=March 7, 2016 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.seanastin.com/bio |title=Personal Biography |website=seanastin.com |access-date=March 15, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150315100739/http://www.seanastin.com/bio/ |archive-date=March 15, 2015 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/stars/sean-astin |title=Sean Astin profile |website=IGN |access-date=March 15, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150227012231/http://www.ign.com/stars/sean-astin |archive-date=February 27, 2015 }}{{cite news |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/michael-tell-concert-promoter-turned-chronicler-of-las-vegas-s-jewish-community-dies-at-80/ar-AA1CEhWM |title=Michael Tell, concert promoter-turned-chronicler of Las Vegas's Jewish community, dies at 80 |date=April 9, 2025 |first=Ricardo |last=Torres-Cortez |newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal |access-date=May 1, 2025 |via=MSN}} At the time, it was incorrectly reported that entertainer Desi Arnaz Jr. was his biological father. Tell was a writer, music promoter, and publisher of the newspaper The Las Vegas Israelite. When Duke became pregnant, she was unsure whether Tell, Arnaz or actor John Astin was the father, and Tell offered to marry her as a way out of the scandal.{{cite book|last=Duke|first=Patty|author2=Kennen Turan|title= Call Me Anna: The Autobiography of Patty Duke|publisher=Bantam Books|year=1987|page=[https://archive.org/details/callmeannaautobi00duke/page/231 231]|url=https://archive.org/details/callmeannaautobi00duke|url-access=limited|isbn=0-553-27205-5}} The marriage lasted only 13 days in 1970, ending before Astin was born.{{cite news |url=https://abcnews.go.com/2020/story?id=124246 |title=Sean Astin's childhood with Patty Duke |work=ABC News |date=July 31, 2004 |access-date=May 20, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170812060025/https://abcnews.go.com/2020/story?id=124246 |archive-date=August 12, 2017 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Sean Astin Q&A at GenCon 2003 |website=TheOneRing.net |date=August 1, 2003 |url=http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2003/08/01/25478-sean-astin-qa-at-gencon-2003-2 |access-date=December 13, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081222001054/http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2003/08/01/25478-sean-astin-qa-at-gencon-2003-2/ |archive-date=December 22, 2008 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=I don't want to play the fat guy or the friend all my life |work=The Guardian |date=December 19, 2003 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2003/dec/19/lordoftherings.features|access-date=February 24, 2020|location=London |first=Victoria |last=Barrett |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060828121324/http://film.guardian.co.uk/interview/interviewpages/0,,1110603,00.html |archive-date=August 28, 2006 |url-status=live}}

In 1972, Duke married John Astin. When the wedding guests were invited to speak, 18-month-old Astin looked at John and cried, "Daddy!", to which the Episcopal priest performing the ceremony remarked, "Well, that about does it!"{{cite magazine |last=Armstrong |first=Lois |date=October 17, 1977 |url=https://people.com/archive/for-taming-precocious-patty-duke-john-astin-is-a-miracle-worker-vol-8-no-16/|title=For Taming Precocious Patty Duke, John Astin Is a Miracle Worker|magazine=People|volume=8|issue=16 |access-date=February 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924135545/http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20069312,00.html |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |url-status=live }} John subsequently adopted Sean. In 1973, Duke gave birth to Astin's brother Mackenzie Astin, who also became an actor. Duke and John Astin divorced in 1985.{{cite web |url=http://www.biography.com/people/patty-duke-9542536 |title=Patty Duke Biography |publisher=Biography channel |access-date=March 15, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150331002241/http://www.biography.com/people/patty-duke-9542536 |archive-date=March 31, 2015 |url-status=live }} Duke married Mike Pearce in 1986, and they adopted a son, Kevin, in 1989. When Astin was 14, Duke told him that Arnaz was his biological father. Almost a decade later, in 1994, Astin met Tell's niece, who suggested that Astin get a paternity test. Tell was found to be his actual biological father.{{cite news |url=https://people.com/archive/hobbit-forming-vol-57-no-1/|title=Hobbit Forming |date=January 14, 2002 |access-date=February 24, 2020|magazine=People |last1=Dam |first1=Julie K.L |first2=Julie |last2=Jordan |quote=DNA tests ... proved Tell to be his father. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107021156/http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20136188,00.html |archive-date=January 7, 2016 |url-status=live }} Astin developed close relationships with all three, saying: "Desi Arnaz Jr. loves me, and I love him." Astin considers John his father, as John raised him. Astin is also close to his stepfather, Mike Pearce, saying, "I can call any of them on the phone any time I want to. John, Desi, Mike, or Papa Mike ... my four dads."

Astin is of German and Irish ancestry through his mother, and Jewish ancestry through his biological father.{{cite web |url=http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2003/08/01/25478-sean-astin-qa-at-gencon-2003-2 |title=Sean Astin Q&A at GenCon 2003 |series=Hobbit Movie News and Rumors |publisher=TheOneRing.net |date=August 1, 2003 |access-date=May 28, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120409024201/http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2003/08/01/25478-sean-astin-qa-at-gencon-2003-2/ |archive-date=April 9, 2012 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MJ17-H9Y |title=Heritage of Michael Tell |website=FamilySearch |access-date=February 21, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306141236/https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MJ17-H9Y |archive-date=March 6, 2016 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9RZT-9WJV?i=27&cc=1810731 |title=Heritage of Beatrice Goldstein (Michael Tell's mother) |series=United States Census |website=www.familysearch.com |date=April 14–15, 1930 |access-date=October 18, 2017}} Astin attended Catholic school and later became a Protestant.{{cite web |url=http://blog.beliefnet.com/faithmediaandculture/2013/08/sean-astin-talks-about-his-eclectic-faith-journey-his-love-of-animals-and-his-role-in-an-upcoming-christian-comedy-from-the-erwin-brothers.html |title=Sean Astin talks about his eclectic faith journey, his love of animals and his role in an upcoming Christian comedy from the Erwin Brothers |last=Kennedy |first=John W. |date=August 2013 |publisher=Beliefnet |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130810113513/http://blog.beliefnet.com/faithmediaandculture/2013/08/sean-astin-talks-about-his-eclectic-faith-journey-his-love-of-animals-and-his-role-in-an-upcoming-christian-comedy-from-the-erwin-brothers.html |archive-date=August 10, 2013|access-date=January 30, 2014 |quote=JWK: I understand that you're a Presbyterian now. SA: Lutheran, technically now}}

Astin attended the Crossroads High School for the Arts and undertook master classes at the Stella Adler Conservatory in Los Angeles. He graduated cum laude from UCLA with a B.A. in History and English (American literature and culture). An alumnus of Los Angeles Valley College, Astin served on the school's board of directors of the Patrons Association and the Arts Council.{{cite web |url=https://alumni.ucla.edu/stories/sean-astin-97/ |title=Sean Astin '97 |website=UCLA Alumni |date=May 22, 2015 |access-date=March 28, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160409085238/https://alumni.ucla.edu/stories/sean-astin-97/ |archive-date=April 9, 2016 |url-status=live }}

File:Sean Astin by John Mathew Smith.jpg

Astin's first acting role was in a 1981 television film titled Please Don't Hit Me, Mom,{{cite web |url=https://screenrant.com/child-stars-still-look-exactly-same-today/ |title=16 Child Stars Who Still Look Exactly The Same Today |date=February 5, 2018 |access-date=September 8, 2021 |website=Screen Rant |first=Turner |last=Minton |quote=beginning his career opposite her in the after-school special Please Don't Hit Me Mom }} in which he played an eight-year-old child with an abusive mother (portrayed by his real-life mother Patty Duke). Astin made his film debut at age 13 as Mikey Walsh in The Goonies (1985).

After The Goonies, Astin appeared in several more films, including the Disney television film The B.R.A.T. Patrol, opposite Nia Long, Tim Thomerson, and Brian Keith; Like Father Like Son (1987); White Water Summer with Kevin Bacon (1987), The War of the Roses (1989); the World War II film Memphis Belle (1990); Toy Soldiers (1991); Encino Man (1992); and the college football biopic Rudy (1993), about the life-changing struggles and rewards of the titular character, Daniel Ruettiger.

In 1994, Astin directed and co-produced (with his wife, Christine Astin) the short film Kangaroo Court, which received an Academy Award nomination for Best Live Action Short Film. Astin continued to appear in films throughout the 1990s, including the Showtime science fiction film Harrison Bergeron (1995), the Gulf War film Courage Under Fire (1996), and the Warren Beatty political satire Bulworth (1998).

In the early 2000s, Astin played Samwise Gamgee in Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings film trilogy, consisting of The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), The Two Towers (2002), and The Return of the King (2003). Many awards were bestowed upon the trilogy, particularly its final installment, which earned eleven Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Astin received seven award nominations for his own performance, and won five, including the Saturn Award, the Sierra Award, the Seattle Film Critics Award, and the Utah Film Critics Award (all for Best Supporting Actor), and the Visual Effects Society Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male or Female in an Effects Film.{{cite web |url=https://www.vesglobal.org/previous-awards/2003-2nd-annual-ves-awards/ |title=2nd Annual VES Awards |access-date=November 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241123210820/https://www.vesglobal.org/previous-awards/2003-2nd-annual-ves-awards/ |archive-date=November 23, 2024 |url-status=live |website=VES|date=February 19, 2019 }} The Return of the King cast as an ensemble received awards from the National Board of Review of Motion Pictures, the Screen Actors Guild, the Broadcast Film Critics Association, and received a Gold Derby Award.{{Cite web |date=2014-10-04 |title=The 76th Academy Awards {{!}} 2004 |url=https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2004 |access-date=2024-11-22 |website=www.oscars.org |language=en}} Throughout the filming process, Astin became close friends with several cast members, particularly Elijah Wood. Astin's daughter, Alexandra, is in the closing scene of The Return of the King, playing his onscreen daughter, Elanor.

While working on The Lord of the Rings, Astin persuaded a number of fellow cast and crew members, including director Peter Jackson, to assist him in making his second short film, The Long and Short of It. The film, which takes place on a street in Wellington, New Zealand, premiered at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival and can be found on the DVD for The Two Towers, along with a "making of" video.

In 2004, Astin released There and Back Again ({{ISBN|0-312-33146-0}}), a memoir (co-written with Joe Layden) of his film career with emphasis on his experiences during production of The Lord of the Rings trilogy. The title is derived from the title of J. R. R. Tolkien's novel The Hobbit, as well as the fictional book written by Bilbo Baggins in The Lord of the Rings.

File:Sean Astin 1 crop.jpg in 2009]]

Since The Lord of the Rings, Astin has continued to work in film and television. His film roles have included the Adam Sandler comedies 50 First Dates and Click. Astin played the role of Malibu High School principal Mike Matthews in the film Smile.{{Citation|title=Smile (2005) – IMDb|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0397103/fullcredits|language=en|access-date=January 24, 2021}}{{better source needed|date=January 2021|reason=IMDb is not a reliable source}}

In television, Astin guest-starred as Lynn McGill in ten episodes of the fifth season of the Fox drama 24. He also appeared in the made-for-TV films Hercules and The Colour of Magic and in episodes of Monk, Las Vegas, My Name Is Earl (in which he parodied his 1993 film Rudy with co-stars Charles S. Dutton and Chelcie Ross), and Law & Order, among other shows. Astin directed a 2003 episode of the TV series Angel, titled "Soulless". He played the enigmatic Mr. Smith on the second season of the Showtime series Jeremiah.{{Citation|title=Jeremiah (TV Series 2002–2004) – IMDb|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0290966/|language=en|access-date=January 24, 2021}}{{better source needed|date=January 2021|reason=IMDb is not a reliable source}}

Astin's career has also expanded to include voice-over roles. He narrated the American version of the Animal Planet series Meerkat Manor, and voices the title character in Special Agent Oso which aired on Playhouse Disney from 2009 to 2011 and Disney Junior from 2011 to early 2014.{{cite web|last=Banks|first=Dave|title=Q&A With Sean Astin – Star of Disney's New Kids' Show Special Agent Oso|url=https://www.wired.com/geekdad/2009/04/special-agent-o|date=June 11, 2009|work=wired.com|publisher=Condé Nast Digital|access-date=June 11, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090608064946/http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2009/04/special-agent-o/|archive-date=June 8, 2009|url-status=live}} Astin's other voice work includes Balto III: Wings of Change, in which he voiced Kodi, a teenage husky who is the son of the titular character, and the video game Kingdom Hearts, in the latter of which he provided the voice of Hercules, replacing actor Tate Donovan, who was unavailable but would return for Kingdom Hearts II. Astin also voiced Raphael in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles animated series on Nickelodeon, which premiered on September 29, 2012, running for five seasons and 124 episodes, and ending on November 12, 2017.

In 2010, Astin joined the Stella Adler Los Angeles Theatre Collective acting company.{{cite web |url=http://losangeles.broadwayworld.com/article/Stella_Adler_Los_Angeles_Theatre_Collective_Announces_Inaugural_Season_20100226 |title=Stella Adler Los Angeles Theatre Collective Announces Inaugural Season 2010/02/26 |publisher=Losangeles.broadwayworld.com |access-date=April 30, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708095055/http://losangeles.broadwayworld.com/article/Stella_Adler_Los_Angeles_Theatre_Collective_Announces_Inaugural_Season_20100226 |archive-date=July 8, 2011 |url-status=live }} Also as of 2010, Astin and his wife, Christine, were making a film based on Lois Lowry's Newbery Medal-winning novel Number the Stars.{{cite web| title=Diahann Carroll Diamond Birthday Arrives, PBS Special Soon to Air| url=http://becksmithhollywood.com/?p=2223| website=Beck/Smith Hollywood| access-date=September 5, 2012| first1=Marilyn| last1=Beck| first2=Stacy Jenel| last2=Smith| date=July 16, 2011| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110812074501/http://becksmithhollywood.com/?p=2223|archive-date=August 12, 2011| url-status=usurped}}{{cite web| title=Number The Stars| url=http://numberthestarsmovie.com| website=Lava Entertainment| access-date=September 5, 2012| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120923214844/http://www.numberthestarsmovie.com/|archive-date=September 23, 2012| url-status=usurped}} They bought the film rights in 2008 and wrote a screenplay adaptation, with plans to direct and produce it themselves.{{cite web |url=https://www.dragoncon.org/dailydragon/dc2008/sean-astin/ |title=An Interview with Sean Astin |website=Daily Dragon Online |publisher=Dragon Con |date=September 2, 2008 |first=Debbie |last=Yutko |access-date=July 19, 2020 }}

In March 2012, Astin played a cosmetic surgeon named Takin Mastuhmik in a fake trailer entitled Boobathon which appeared on Funny or Die.{{cite web| url=https://www.funnyordie.com/2012/3/6/17713944/boobathon-trailer-with-sean-astin| title=Boobathon Trailer with Sean Astin| website=Funny or Die| first=Sean| last=Astin| date=March 6, 2012| access-date=March 6, 2019| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190308002915/https://www.funnyordie.com/2012/3/6/17713944/boobathon-trailer-with-sean-astin| archive-date=March 8, 2019| url-status=live}} In March 2014, Astin played a soldier in Boys of Abu Ghraib, a military thriller inspired by the events that made worldwide news in 2004.{{cite web| url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1965162/fullcredits| title=Boys of Abu Ghraib: Full Cast & Crew| website=IMDb| access-date=December 11, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714032540/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1965162/fullcredits|archive-date=July 14, 2014|url-status=live}}{{better source needed|date=January 2021|reason=IMDb is not a reliable source}} In June of that year, he began playing the role of Jim Kent on the FX drama The Strain.{{cite web| url=http://www.fxnetworks.com/thestrain/cast| title=The Strain: Cast & Crew| website=FX Networks| access-date=May 20, 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140707175519/http://www.fxnetworks.com/thestrain/cast| archive-date=July 7, 2014| url-status=live}}

In October 2015, Astin played Hank Erwin in Woodlawn, a story about how a high school football team overcame racism and hate, and found unity and success through following Jesus.{{cite news|url=http://www.christianpost.com/news/woodlawn-movie-depicts-true-life-story-of-40-person-football-team-coming-to-christ-during-height-of-desegregation-143986|title='Woodlawn' Movie Depicts True Life Story of 40-Person Football Team Coming to Christ During Height of '70s Desegregation|newspaper=The Christian Post|date=August 30, 2015|first=Vincent|last=Funaro|access-date=July 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801034852/http://www.christianpost.com/news/woodlawn-movie-depicts-true-life-story-of-40-person-football-team-coming-to-christ-during-height-of-desegregation-143986/|archive-date=August 1, 2017|url-status=live}}

In 2017, Astin played the role of Bob Newby in season two of the Netflix series Stranger Things. In 2019, Astin reprised the role of Newby in flashback scenes during the series' third season, played the role of Dr. Greg Pemberton on several episodes of The Big Bang Theory, and had a guest appearance on the fifth season of Supergirl. In 2019, he was in the Netflix dramedy No Good Nick in which he played Ed. That same year, he appeared in the sixth season of Brooklyn Nine-Nine.

In May 2020, Astin joined Josh Gad's YouTube series Reunited Apart, which reunites the casts of popular films through video-conferencing and promotes donations to non-profit charities. Others in the episode were fellow The Lord of the Rings castmates Sean Bean, Orlando Bloom, Billy Boyd, Ian McKellen, Dominic Monaghan, Viggo Mortensen, Miranda Otto, John Rhys-Davies, Andy Serkis, Liv Tyler, Karl Urban, and Elijah Wood, plus writer Philippa Boyens and director Peter Jackson.{{cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/actor-josh-gad-reunites-stars-of-lord-of-the-rings-while-raising-money-for-kids-in-need/ |title=Actor Josh Gad reunites stars of 'Lord of the Rings' while raising money for kids in need |date=June 1, 2020 |work=CBS News |first=Caitlin |last=O'Kane |access-date=June 4, 2020 }}{{cite news |url=https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-frozen-star-josh-gad-reunites-lord-of-the-rings-cast-during-lockdown-11996200 |title=Coronavirus: Frozen star Josh Gad reunites Lord Of The Rings cast during lockdown |date=May 28, 2020 |publisher=Sky News |access-date=July 19, 2020 }}

Astin narrated the 2023 comedy film Go West, the first theatrical film from the original cast of the sketch comedy show Studio C, produced by their own company, JK Studios.{{Citation |last1=Meek |first1=Stephen |title=Go West |date=August 11, 2023 |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt23026530/?ref_=nm_flmg_unrel_1_act |type=Comedy, Western |access-date=July 9, 2023 |others=Sean Astin, Mallory Everton, Whitney Call |publisher=Brothers' Ink Productions, JK Studios |last2=Warner |first2=Jeremy}} Astin made his Broadway debut as Santa Claus in a revival of Elf the Musical, which ran at the Marquis Theatre from November 2024 to January 2025.{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2024/10/sean-astin-elf-broadway-1236106727/ |title=Sean Astin To Make Broadway Debut As Santa In 'Elf The Musical' Revival |date=October 3, 2024 |work=Deadline Hollywood |first=Greg |last=Evans |access-date=October 3, 2024 }}{{cite web | url=https://playbill.com/production/elf-broadway-marquis-theatre-2024| title=Elf | website=playbill.com | date=17 November 2024 | access-date=18 November 2024}}

Astin married Christine Harrell on July 11, 1992. They have three daughters: Alexandra (born in November 1996), Elizabeth (born in August 2002), and Isabella (born in July 2005), all having the middle name Louise.{{Cite web |url=http://www.seanastin.com/bio |title=Personal Biography |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150315100739/http://www.seanastin.com/bio/ |archive-date=March 15, 2015 |website=seanastin.com |access-date=December 26, 2016}} His wife held the Miss Indiana Teen USA title in 1984.{{cite web|url=https://www.missindianausa.com/past-titleholders-miss-indiana-teen-usa-1|title=Past Titleholders: Miss Indiana Teen USA|website=missindianausa.com|access-date=May 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170812022449/https://www.missindianausa.com/past-titleholders-miss-indiana-teen-usa-1|archive-date=August 12, 2017|url-status=live}} Alexandra had a small cameo role in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King as Elanor Gamgee, Astin's character's daughter, and appears in Bad Kids of Crestview Academy as Ethel Balducci.

Astin has a tattoo on his ankle of the word "nine" written with the Tengwar script, commemorating his Lord of the Rings involvement and his character's membership in the "Fellowship of the Ring". Seven of the eight other actors (Elijah Wood, Sean Bean, Billy Boyd, Ian McKellen, Dominic Monaghan, Viggo Mortensen and Orlando Bloom) all have the same tattoo. John Rhys-Davies' stunt double, Brett Beattie, has the tattoo as well.{{cite web |url=https://www.tattoodo.com/a/2015/07/the-matching-tattoos-of-the-lord-of-the-rings-cast/ |title=The Matching Tattoos of 'the Lord of the Rings' Cast |website=tattoodo.com |author=Xavier |date=July 2015 |access-date=August 11, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811145031/https://www.tattoodo.com/a/2015/07/the-matching-tattoos-of-the-lord-of-the-rings-cast/ |archive-date=August 11, 2017 |url-status=live }}

In an August 2013 interview, Astin said that he is a Lutheran Christian, having been "baptized in my wife's Lutheran church". "I don't know if I'm a very good [Christian] but I'm praying the forgiveness thing is legit," Astin said in an interview.{{Cite web |last=Savitsky |first=Sasha |date=March 24, 2015 |title=Sean Astin: I'm not afraid to make 'Christian' films |url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/sean-astin-im-not-afraid-to-make-christian-films |access-date=July 3, 2024 |website=Fox News |language=en-US}}

In January 2015, Astin completed the Dopey Challenge at the Walt Disney World Resort which involves running a 5k, 10k, half-marathon and full marathon on four consecutive days.{{cite web|url=https://www.trackshackresults.com/disneysports/results/wdw/wdw15/Dopey%20Full%20Results.pdf|title=2015 Dopey Challenge Full Results|website=TrackShackResults.com|date=April 21, 2015|access-date=May 19, 2017|page=5|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170812022220/https://www.trackshackresults.com/disneysports/results/wdw/wdw15/Dopey%20Full%20Results.pdf|archive-date=August 12, 2017|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|url=http://www.runnersworld.com/walt-disney-world-marathon/how-to-recover-from-the-dopey-challenge|title=How to Recover from the Dopey Challenge|date=January 4, 2017|first=Ashley|last=Rodriguez|magazine=Runner's World|quote=Disney's 48.6-mile Dopey Challenge [... i]s no easy feat. While plenty of runners have finished 5Ks, 10Ks, half marathons, and marathons, few have done them back-to-back over the course of four days.|access-date=May 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170616144436/http://www.runnersworld.com/walt-disney-world-marathon/how-to-recover-from-the-dopey-challenge|archive-date=June 16, 2017|url-status=live}}

On October 10, 2015, Astin competed in the 2015 Ironman World Championship in Kailua Kona, Hawaii. Wearing number 143, Astin finished the race in a time of 15:30:31.{{cite web|url=http://eu.ironman.com/triathlon/events/americas/ironman/world-championship/results.aspx?race=worldchampionship&rd=20151010&q=143#axzz44KELEsVB|title=IRONMAN World Championship Results|access-date=March 29, 2016|date=October 10, 2015|website=Ironman World Championship|publisher=World Triathlon Corporation|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413173502/http://eu.ironman.com/triathlon/events/americas/ironman/world-championship/results.aspx?race=worldchampionship&rd=20151010&q=143#axzz44KELEsVB|archive-date=April 13, 2016|url-status=live}} Astin completed his master's degree in public administration and policy at American University; in 2024.{{cite web |url=https://www.seanastin.com/bio/ |title=Sean Astin Biography |website=seanastin.com |access-date=September 18, 2024 |quote=Sean recently completed a Master's degree in Public Administration and Policy at American University.}} American University awarded Astin an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters during the Fall 2024 graduation during which he was also the keynote speaker.{{cite press release |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/american-university-to-welcome-recent-graduate-sean-astin-spampap-24-as-commencement-speaker-for-fall-commencement-302320024.html |title=American University to Welcome Recent Graduate Sean Astin, SPA/MPAP '24, as Commencement Speaker for Fall Commencement |date=December 2, 2024 |publisher=American University |agency=PR Newswire |access-date=April 5, 2025}}

In March 2025, Astin partnered with LEGO to launch The Shire featuring a commemorative video of Astin himself building the set.{{Cite web |date=2025-03-25 |title=Sean Astin Celebrates Middle-earth™ with LEGO Bricks! - About Us |url=https://www.lego.com/en-us/aboutus/news/2025/march/sean-astin-celebrates-middle-earth-with-lego-bricks- |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=LEGO.com |language=en-us}}

From 1995 to 2005, Astin served as a Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army (CASA) and afterwards served on the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation for two years during the George W. Bush administration.{{cite web|first1=Robin| last1=Bronk|title=My 5 Minutes with the President – Sean Astin|url=https://thehill.com/capital-living/my-5-minutes-with-the-president/129880-sean-astin/|access-date=October 13, 2022|date=March 7, 2012|work=The Hill}} He was awarded the honorary Emeritus Civilian Aide designation in 2022.{{cite web|url=https://www.army.mil/article/262720/sean_patrick_astin_designated_emeritus_civilian_aide|title=Sean Astin designated emeritus civilian aide|publisher=US Army|date=December 13, 2022|accessdate=August 21, 2024}}

Astin is a lifelong supporter of the Democratic Party.{{cite video|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_a3LUn0YckU|title=Sean Astin speaks to Ana, Cenk about his involvement with the DNC|people=Sean Astin, Ana Kasparian, Cenk Uygur|date=August 21, 2024|accessdate=August 21, 2024}} During the 2004 United States presidential election, Astin backed Senator John Kerry and participated in Kerry's campaign rally in Portland, Oregon, as the opening speaker.{{cite web|author=Calisuri and Corvar and Arathorn|url=http://www.theonering.net/scrapbook/movies/cast/sean_astin/view/13048?amp;g=1 |title=Sean Astin at Portland, OR Rally for John Kerry |publisher=TheOneRing.net |date=May 17, 2004 |access-date=May 20, 2017}} In the 2008 presidential election, Astin lent his support to then-Senator Hillary Clinton for the first of her two Presidential campaigns and made multiple campaign appearances on her behalf, including joining Clinton's daughter Chelsea at some stops.{{cite news|url=http://www.idsnews.com/news/story.aspx?id=49827&comview=1|title=Chelsea Clinton, 'Rudy' start to stump at IU|newspaper=Indiana Daily Student|access-date=March 28, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080615060012/http://www.idsnews.com/news/story.aspx?id=49827&comview=1|archive-date=June 15, 2008|date=March 24, 2008}} Astin served as the campaign manager for Democrat Dan Adler, a businessman friend in the entertainment industry, in California's 36th congressional district special election of 2011.{{cite news| first1=Michael| last1=Tyler| title=5 things to know about Sean Astin ahead of Springfield stop| url=https://www.daytondailynews.com/news/local-govt--politics/things-know-about-sean-astin-ahead-springfield-stop/r93gWmxUees2uKEQNm4oqI/| newspaper=Dayton Daily News| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190824043117/https://www.daytondailynews.com/news/local-govt--politics/things-know-about-sean-astin-ahead-springfield-stop/r93gWmxUees2uKEQNm4oqI/| archive-date=August 24, 2019| url-status=live|access-date=October 13, 2022}} In the 2016 presidential election, Astin campaigned for Hillary Clinton in midwestern states such as Iowa, Nebraska and Wisconsin.{{cite web |url=http://www.weareiowa.com/news/local-news/hobbit-star-stumps-for-clinton |title=Hobbit Star Stumps for Clinton |work=WOI News |access-date=August 5, 2016 |first=Alyssa |last=Weis |date=August 5, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160806164057/http://www.weareiowa.com/news/local-news/hobbit-star-stumps-for-clinton |archive-date=August 6, 2016 |url-status=live}} In a 2020 Twitter post, Astin voiced his support for Democratic nominee Joe Biden.{{Cite tweet|number=1319442510742106112|access-date=October 30, 2020|user=SeanAstin|date=October 22, 2020|title=Go get 'em @JoeBiden}} On July 29, 2024, Astin appeared in the White Dudes for Harris Zoom call expressing his support for Vice President Kamala Harris{{'}} presidential campaign.{{cite news |last=Suliman |first=Adela |date=July 30, 2024 |title='White Dudes for Harris' — including The Dude himself — raise over $4M |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/07/30/white-dudes-harris-jeff-bridges/ |access-date=July 31, 2024 |newspaper=Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}} Astin additionally appeared at the 2024 Democratic National Convention during the nominating roll call vote on August 20, 2024, representing Indiana.{{cite web |title=Video A cameo-filled ceremonial roll call at the DNC |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/video/cameo-filled-ceremonial-roll-call-dnc-113002004 |access-date=August 21, 2024 |website=ABC News |language=en}}{{cite web |last=Art |first=Pop Culture & |date=August 21, 2024 |title=Fans react to 'Samwise Gamgee' actor Sean Astin joining Democratic National Convention roll call |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2489848/fans-react-to-samwise-gamgee-actor-sean-astin-joining-democratic-national-convention-roll-call |access-date=August 21, 2024 |website=The Express Tribune |language=en}}

In September 2024, Astin urged California Governor Gavin Newsom to sign SB 1047, a bill that would require advanced AI models to undergo safety testing before deployment.{{cite news|last1=Korte |first1=Lara |last2=Gardiner |first2=Dustin |date=September 17, 2024 |title=Act natural |url=https://www.politico.com/newsletters/california-playbook/2024/09/17/act-natural-00179456}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite book| last=Dye| first=David| title=Child and Youth Actors: Filmography of Their Entire Careers, 1914–1985| location=Jefferson, NC| publisher=McFarland & Co.| year=1988| page=[https://archive.org/details/childyouthactors00dyed/page/7 7]| isbn=978-0899502472| url=https://archive.org/details/childyouthactors00dyed/page/7}}
• {{cite book| author-link=John Holmstrom| last=Holmstrom| first=John| title=The Moving Picture Boy: An International Encyclopaedia from 1895 to 1995| location=Norwich| publisher=Michael Russell| year=1996| pages=385–386| isbn=978-0859551786}}

{{Commons category|Sean Astin}}

• {{Official website|https://www.seanastin.com/}}
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