Sean Astin was born on February 25, 1971 in Sanata Monica, California.

John Astin and Patty Duke are both actors and are Sean Astin's parents. Although Sean Astin 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.

In 1981, Sean Astin was 9, he starred with his mother in the after school special PLEASE DON"T HIT ME, MOM (TV).

Most people think that Sean Astin first film was GOONIES in 1985. In the late 80s Sean Astin started his own production company, Lava Entertainment. The short film KANGAROO COURT in 1994 was directed and co-produced by Sean Astin, it was also nominated in the Best Short Film category at the 67th Annual Academy Awards in 1995.

Sean Astin had to gain 35 to 40 pounds for his role of Samwise 'Sam' Gamgee in THE LORD OF THE RINGS TRILOGY.

The title of Sean Astin autobiography, There and Back Again, is actually the alternate title for THE HOBBIT, and, in the story, is the title of Bilbo Baggins's autobiography.

While filming THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING, Samwise Gamgee (Sean Astin) ran into a lake to stop Frodo (Elijah Wood). When he did this, Sean Astin stepped on a piece of glass needing to be taken to the hospital for stitches.

Sean Astin's other notable credits include...

THE FINAL SEASON (2007)

WHAT IS LOVE (2007)

BORDERLAND (2007)

MY WIFE IS RETARDED (2007)

CLICK (2006)

SMILE (2005)

50 FIRST DATES (2004)

THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING (2003)

THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS (2002)

THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING (2001)

BOY MEETS GIRL (1998)

COURAGE UNDER FIRE (1996)

RUDY (1993)

TOY SOLDIERS (1991)
LIKE FATHER LIKE SON (1987)
THE GOONIES (1985)

Sean Astin, with his co-stars, in ENCINO MAN