- Plans to make his directing debut on the long-awaited FANTASTIC FOUR movie if studio bosses give him the go-ahead. (January 21, 2004)
- A Directors Guild of America member, Astin also directed an episode of the HBO anthology series Perversions of Science.
- A promising director, Astin garnered an Academy Award nomination for his short film KANGAROO COURT, which he also co-produced with his wife, Christine.
- His portrayal of a young man determined to play football for Notre Dame in RUDY (1993) won hearts across America, and continues to inspire young people whenever it is shown.
- Gained 30 pounds for his role as Samwise in THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING (2001).
- At one point in THE GOONIES, the character he played cries out Holy Mackenzie!
- While filming the scene in LOTR where Sam rushes through the river after Frodo, he stepped on a branch that was sticking up from the riverbed. It pierced his foot, even through the prosthetic foot, which bled so much he had to be airlifted to hospital.
- Izzy Singer was originally to be played by River Phoenix, but he got the part after Phoenix's death in SAFE PASSAGE (1994).
- Serves on the Board of Directors of the Patrons Association and the Arts Council.
- Member of the Directors Guild of America, the Screen Actors Guild, the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.
- Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army.
- Left the room halfway during recording DVD commentary for THE GOONIES (1985) and never returned. The recording session started late, and Sean had an earlier commitment to introduce friend Joe Pantoliano who was M.C.'ing at a local theatre. Left the recording studio to change clothes, then returned to explain why he had to leave, give a shout out to Joey Pants, and left an action figure of San Gamgee to take his place. However, the departure and explanation were edited out by the DVD producers.
- His biological father is actually Michael Tell, whom Patty Duke was married to for only a month in 1970. Sean was adopted at age 3 by John Astin, but considers both men to be his father.
- On 4 December 2001, Sean had his image as Samwise Gamgee immortalized on a 90 cent New Zealand postage stamp that he shares with LOTR co-star Elijah Wood ('Frodo Baggins'). However, Sean's last name is spelled incorrectly on the presentation pack of the stamps (Austin instead of Astin).
- During principal photography for the LOTR trilogy, Astin directed trilogy director Peter Jackson and fellow cast members in a documentary short about cameraderie and friendship within difficult working environments. This topic mirrored a significant theme of the trilogy.
- In February 2003, Sean was appointed to the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation.
- Announced at the Texas Film Festival on 22 February 2003 that he has optioned the book Issac's Storm and is planning on shooting an epic film centered around the Galveston Hurricane of 1900.
- Appeared at Wizard World signing autographs on August 9 2003.
Quotes- "I was told I had to gain a lot of weight because Hobbits are very portly. Peter is forever suggesting I have more food. 'A little more food for Mr. Astin.'"
- Refuting the remarks of cast and crew that Sean IS Samwise Gamgee: "But I'm not really Sam... Nobody could be that good, that noble. He's just better than the rest of us. I'm a lot more Hollywood than Sam would ever be."
- "I'd never heard of The Lord of the Rings, actually. So I went to the bookstore and there it was, three shelves of books about Tolkien and Middle-earth, and I was like, 'Holy cow, what else am I missing out on?'"
Awards- Visual Effects Society Awards: Outstanding Performance by a Male or Female Actor in an Effects Film, THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING (2004)
- Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture, THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING (2004)
- Las Vegas Film Critics Society Awards: Best Supporting Actor for The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2004)
- Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards: Best Acting Ensemble, THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING (2004)
- Seattle Film Critics Awards: Best Supporting Actor, THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING (2003)
- National Board of Review: Best Ensemble Performance, THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING (2003)
- Visual Effects Society Awards: Best Performance by an Actor in an Effects Film, THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS (2003)
- MTV Movie Awards: Best On-Screen Team, shared with Elijah Wood for his role in THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS (2003)
- Fort Lauderdale Film Festival: Best Actor, LOW LIFE (1995)
- Young Artist Awards: Best Young Actor Starring in a Motion Picture, STAYING TOGETHER (1990)
- Young Artist Awards: Best Starring Performance by a Young Actor - Motion Picture, THE GOONIES (1986)
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