Sean Astin

Actors

Sean Patrick Astin (né Duke; born February 25, 1971) is an American actor, voice actor, director, and producer. The son of Academy Award actress Patty Duke (1946-2016) and adopted son of actor Jon Astin, he made his film debut as Mikey Walsh in Richard Donner‘s The Goonies (1985), with Josh Brolin, Jeff Cohen, Corey Feldman, Kerri Green, Martha Plimpton, Ke Huy Quan, John Matuszak, Anne Ramsey, Robert Davi, and Joe Pantoliano. Other films in the 1980s include White Water Summer (1987), with Kevin Bacon, Jonathan Ward, and Matt Adler; The War of the Roses (1989), with Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner, and Danny DeVito (who also directed); and Staying Together (1989), with Stockard Channing, Melinda Dillon, Levon Helm, Dermot Mulroney, Tim Quill, and Daphne Zuniga.

His other best known roles include Samwise Gamgee in Peter Jackson‘s The Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001–2003), with Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Liv Tyler, Viggo Mortensen, Cate Blanchett, John Rhys-Davies, Christopher Lee, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Orlando Bloom, Hugo Weaving, Andy Serkis, Ian Holm, and Sean Bean; Daniel Ruettiger in Rudy (1993), with Ned Beatty, Jason Miller, Charles S. Dutton, Jon Favreau, and Lili Taylor; Doug Whitmore in 50 First Dates (2004), Adam Sandler, Drew Barrymore, Rob Schneider, Blake Clark, and Dan Aykroyd; Bill in Click (2006), with Sandler, Kate Beckinsale, Christopher Walken, Henry Winkler, David Hasselhoff, and Julie Kavner; Lynn McGill in the fifth season of 24 (2006), with Kiefer Sutherland; and Bob Newby in the second and third seasons of Stranger Things (2017, 2019), with Winona Ryder.

Other films in the 1990s include Memphis Belle (1990), with Matthew Modine, Eric Stoltz, Harry Connick Jr.. Reed Edward Diamond, Tate Donovan, John Lithgow, D.B. Sweeney, Billy Zane, Courtney Gains, Neil Giuntoli; Toy Soldiers (1991), with Wil Wheaton, Kieth Coogan, Louis Gossett Jr., Andrew Divoff, Mason Adams, and Denholm Elliott; Where the Day Takes You (1992), with Mulroney, Balthazar Getty, Lara Flynn Boyle, Ricki Lake, James LeGros, Laura San Giacomo, David Arquette, Christian Slater, Kyle MacLachlan, and Will Smith; Encino Man (1992), with Brendan Fraser and Pauly Shore; Safe Passage (1994), with Susan Sarandon, Nick Stahl, Sam Shepard, and Jason London; and the TV movie Harrison Bergeron (1995), with Christopher Plummer, Eugene Levy, Miranda de Pencier, and Howie Mandel.

Films in the mid to late 90s include Edward Zwick’s Courage Under Fire (1996), with Denzel Washington, Meg Ryan, Lou Diamond Phillips, Michael Moriarty, Matt Damon, Seth Gilliam, Bronson Pinchot, and Scott Glenn; Boy Meets Girl (1998), with Emily Hampshire, Kevin McDonald, Joe Mantegna, and Kate Nelligan; Bulworth (1998), with Warren Beatty (who also directed), Halle Berry, Oliver Platt, Don Cheadle, Paul Sorvino, Jack Warden, and Isaiah Washington; and Deterrence (1999), with Kevin Pollak, Timothy Hutton, and Sheryl Lee Ralph.

Films in the 2000s include Dish Dogs (2000), with Matthew Lillard, Shannon Elizabeth, and Brian Dennehy; The Last Producer (2000), with Burt Reynolds (who also directed), Ann-Margret, Lauren Holly, Rod Steiger, and Benjamin Bratt; Icebreaker (2000), with Stacy Keach and Bruce Campbell; Elvis Has Left the Building (2004), with John Corbett, Kim Basinger, Annie Potts, Mike Starr, Phill Lewis, Denise Richards, Philip Charles MacKenzie, and Tom Hanks; Smile (2005), with Mika Boorem, Yi Ding, Beau Bridges, Linda Hamilton, and Luoyong Wang; Slipstream (2005), with Vinnie Jones and Ivana Miličević; and Marilyn Hotchkiss’ Ballroom Dancing and Charm School (2005), with Robert Carlyle, Marisa Tomei, Mary Steenburgen, Donnie Wahlberg, David Paymer, Camryn Manheim, Adam Arkin, Sonia Braga, Elden Henson, Ernie Hudson, Miguel Sandoval, DeVito, and John Goodman.

Films in the mid to late 2000s include What Is Love (2006), with Cuba Gooding Jr., Lillard, Anne Heche, and Gina Gershon; The Final Season (2007), with Rachael Leigh Cook, Tom Arnold, Powers Boothe, Larry Miller, Brett Claywell, Michael Angarano, and Marshall Bell; and Stay Cool (2009), with Ryder, Mark Polish, Hilary Duff, Josh Holloway, Jon Cryer, and Chevy Chase.

Later films include Do You Believe (2015), with Ted McGinley, Mira Sorvino, Lee Majors, Alexa PenaVega, Cybill Shepherd, and Brian Bosworth; The Do-Over (2016), with Sandler, David Spade, Paula Patton, Kathryn Hahn, and Luis Guzmán; Finn Taylor’s Unleashed (2016), with Kate Micucci, Justin Chatwin, Steve Howey, and Hana Mae Lee; The Lears (2017), with Bruce Dern and Anthony Michael Hall; Gloria Bell (2018), with Julianne Moore, John Turturro, Michael Cera, Caren Pistorius, Brad Garrett, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Rita Wilson, and Holland Taylor; and Adverse (2020), with Thomas Nicholas, Phillips, Kelly Arjen, Penelope Ann Miller, and Mickey Rourke.

Voice roles include Oso in Special Agent Oso (2009–2012), Raphael in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2012–2017), Spirit of the Forest (2008), with Giovanni Ribisi, Ron Perlman, and Anjelica Huston; The Hero of Color City (2014), with Christina Ricci, Owen Wilson, E.G. Daily, Jessica Capshaw, Rosie Perez, Tara Strong, Craig Ferguson, Wayne Brady, Jess Harnell, and David Kaye; and Shazam in Justice League: Throne of Atlantis (2015), with Rosario Dawson and Nathan Fillion.

Each review will be linked to the title below.

(*seen originally in theaters)

(**seen rereleased in theaters)

  • Please Don’t Hit Me, Mom (1981) – directed by Gwen Arner – TV movie
  • The Rules of Marriage (1982) – directed by Milton Katselas – TV movie
  • The Goonies (1985)** – directed by Richard Donner
  • The B.R.A.T. Patrol (1986) – directed by Mollie Milled – TV movie
  • White Water Summer (1987) – directed by Jeff Bleckner
  • Like Father Like Son (1987) – directed by Rod Daniel
  • On My Honor (1988) – director only – short
  • Staying Together (1989) – directed by Lee Grant
  • The War of the Roses (1989) – directed by Danny DeVito
  • Memphis Belle (1990) – directed by Michael Caton-Jones
  • The Willies (1990) – directed by Brian Peck – anthology
  • Toy Soldiers (1991) – directed by Daniel Petrie Jr.
  • Where the Day Takes You (1992) – directed by Marc Rocco
  • Encino Man (1992)* – directed by Les Mayfield
  • Rudy (1993) – directed by David Anspaugh
  • Teresa’s Tattoo (1994) – directed by Julie Cypher – uncredited
  • Safe Passage (1994) – directed by Robert Allan Ackerman
  • Kangaroo Court (1994) – director only – short
  • Road Warriors (1995) – directed by Andy Cadiff – TV movie
  • The Low Life (1995) – directed by George Hickenlooper
  • Harrison Bergeron (1995) – directed by Bruce Pittman – TV movie
  • Courage Under Fire (1996) – directed by Edward Zwick
  • Wag the Dog (1997) – directed by Barry Levinson – uncredited
  • Bulworth (1998) – directed by Warren Beatty
  • Boy Meets Girl (1998) – directed by Jerry Ciccoritti
  • Kimberly (1999) – directed by Frederic Golchan
  • Deterrence (1999) – directed by Rod Lurie
  • The Sky Is Falling (1999) – directed by Florrie Laurence
  • Icebreaker (2000) – directed by David Giancola
  • The Last Producer (2000) – directed by Burt Reynolds
  • Dish Dogs (2000) – directed by Robert Kubilos
  • The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)* – directed by Peter Jackson
  • Snow Dogs (2002) – directed by Brian Levant
  • The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)* – directed by Peter Jackson
  • The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)* – directed by Peter Jackson
  • Snowflake Bentley (2003) – directed by Sarah Kerruish – short
  • 50 First Dates (2004) – directed by Peter Segal
  • Party Wagon (2004) – directed by Craig Bartlett & Tuck Tucker – TV movie
  • Elvis Has Left the Building (2004) – directed by Joel Zwick
  • Balto III: Wings of Change (2004) – directed by Phil Weinstein
  • Marilyn Hotchkiss’ Ballroom Dancing and Charm School (2005) – directed by Randall Miller
  • Slipstream (2005) – directed by David van Eyssen
  • Bigger Than the Sky (2005) – directed by Al Corley
  • Smile (2005) – directed by Jeffrey Kramer
  • Hercules (2005) – directed by Robert Young – miniseries
  • Asterix and the Vikings (2006) – directed by Stefan Fjeldmark & Jesper Møller – English dub
  • Love and Debate (2006) – directed by Jessica Kavana Dornbusch – aka Thanks to Gravity
  • Click (2006) – directed by Frank Coraci
  • American Men (2006) – directed by Rob Schiller – TV movie
  • My Wife Is Retarded (2007) – directed by Etan Cohen – short
  • Borderland (2007) – directed by Zev Berman
  • What Is Love (2007) – directed by Mars Callahan
  • The Final Season (2007) – directed by David Mickey Evans
  • The Color of Magic (2008) – directed by Vadim Jean – miniseries
  • Spirit of the Forest (2008) – directed by David Rubin
  • Forever Strong (2008) – directed by Ryan Little
  • Stay Cool (2009) – directed by Michael Polish (as Ted Smith)
  • Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel (2009) – directed by Betty Thomas
  • Part Two: Warm Mission (2009) – directed by Tim Pyle – short
  • WWII in HD: The Air War (2010) – directed by Sammy Jackson – TV movie
  • Demoted (2011) – directed by J.B. Rogers
  • The Witches of Oz (2011) – directed by Leigh Scott – miniseries
  • And They’re Off (2011) – directed by Rob Schiller
  • Love’s Christmas Journey (2011) – directed by David S. Cass Sr.
  • Deep Blue Breath (2011) – directed by Patricia Cardoso – short
  • Dorothy and the Witches of Oz (2012) – directed by Leigh Scott – TV movie
  • Adopted Terror (2012) – directed by Micho Rutare – TV movie
  • Amazing Love (2012) – directed by Kevin Downes
  • Extraction (2013) – directed by Tony Giglio
  • Out West (2013) – directed by Lee Brownstein
  • A Monstrous Holiday (2013) – directed by Gordon Crum – TV short
  • Hatched (2013) – directed by Xu Kerr – aka Farm House 81
  • The Naughty List (2013) – directed by Gordon Crum & Jay Surridge
  • Santa Switch (2013) – David Cass Jr. – TV movie
  • The Freemason (2013) – directed by Sohrab Mirmont
  • The Surgeon General (2013) – directed by Rod Lurie – TV movie
  • Stan Lee’s Mighty 7 (2014) – directed by Ningning Lee – TV movie
  • Justice League: War (2014) – directed by Jay Oliva
  • Cabin Fever: Patient Zero (2014) – directed by Kaare Andrews
  • Boys of Abu Ghraib (2014) – directed by Luke Moran
  • Moms’ Night Out (2014) – directed by Andrew & Jon Erwin
  • Ribbit (2014) – directed by Chuck Powers
  • The Hero of Color City (2014) – directed by Frank Gladstone
  • Video Games: The Movie (2014) – directed by Jeremy Snead – documentary – narrator
  • The Surface (2014) – directed by Gil Cates Jr.
  • Justice League: Throne of Atlantis (2015) – directed by Ethan Spaulding
  • The Dramatics: A Comedy (2015) – directed by Scott Rodgers
  • K9 World Cup (2015) – directed by Carlos Pimentel & Nathan Sifuentes
  • Do You Believe? (2015) – directed by Joe Gunn
  • Checkmate (2015) – directed by Timothy Woodward Jr.
  • Woodlawn (2015) – directed by Andrew & Jon Erwin
  • The Hobbit: Kingdoms of Middle-earth – Dance Battle (2015) – directed by Alberto Belli – short
  • Half-Shell Heroes: Blast to the Past (2015) – directed by Glen Murakami – TV short
  • Range 15 (2016) – directed by Ross Patterson
  • The Do-Over (2016) – directed by Steven Brill
  • Unleashed (2016) – directed by Finn Taylor
  • Bad Kids of Crestview Academy (2017) – directed by Ben Browder
  • Swing States (2017) – directed by Jonathan Sheldon
  • The Lears (2017) – directed by Carl Bessai
  • Espionage Tonight (2017) – directed by Rob Gordon Bravler
  • Dead Ant (2017) – directed by Ron Carlson
  • Ploey (2018) – directed by Árni Ásgeirsson – English dub
  • Remember the Sultana (2018) – directed by Mark & Mike Marshall – documentary – narrator
  • eHero (2018) – directed by Joseph Procopio
  • Gloria Bell (2018) – directed by Sebastián Lelio
  • Two Dum Micks (2019) – directed by D.B. Sweeney – short
  • Adverse (2020) – directed by Brian Metcalf
  • Lego DC Shazam!: Magic and Monsters (2020) – directed by Matt Peters
  • Charming the Hearts of Men (2020) – directed by S.E. DeRose
  • Hero Mode (2021) – directed by A.J. Tesler