Sean Astin was born on February 25, 1971 in Santa Monica, California, USA. He is an American film actor, director, and Oscar-nominated producer.

Sean Astin made his feature film debut (at age 13) as "Mikey Walsh" in Richard Donner's adventure The Goonies (1984). Sean's 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. Other well-known film credits include Bulworth, Courage Under Fire, Memphis Belle, Encino Man, Like Father Like Son, Where the Day Takes You, Staying Together, War of the Roses, Safe Passage, and White Water Summer.

His role in Peter Jackson's epic Lord of the Rings, as "Samwise Gamgee," the trustworthy sidekick of Frodo Baggins (played by Elijah Wood) earned him accolades around the world.

Sean received Best Actor honors for his performance in Low Life at the Fort Lauderdale Film Festival. He can also be seen in the indie releases Deterrence, Kimberly, The Last Producer, Boy Meets Girl and Smile.

A promising director, Astin garnered an Academy Award nomination for his short film Kangaroo Court, which he co-produced with his wife, Christine. A Directors Guild of America member, Astin has also directed episodes of the HBO anthology series Perversions of Science and Angel for The WB. His short film The Long and Short of It was an official entry at Sundance 2003.

He also starred in Click (2006), My Wife Is Retarded (2007) and What Love Is (2007).

Filmography

• Cat Tale (2008)
• Forever Strong (2007)
• The Final Season (2007)
• "Masters of Science Fiction" (1 episode, 2007)
• "My Name Is Earl" (1 episode, 2007)
• What Love Is (2007)
• Borderland (2007)
• My Wife Is Retarded (2007)
• "Monk" (1 episode, 2007)
• Click (2006)
• Thanks to Gravity (2006)
• Astérix et les Vikings (2006)
• "24" (10 episodes, 2006)
• American Men (2006)
• "Into the West" (2005)
• Hercules (2005/I) (TV)
• Smile (2005)
• Bigger Than the Sky (2005)
• Slipstream (2005)
• Marilyn Hotchkiss Ballroom Dancing & Charm School (2005)
• "Higglytown Heroes" (1 episode, 2004)
• Men of Valor (2004)
• Balto III: Wings of Change (2004)
• Elvis Has Left the Building (2004)
• "Las Vegas" (1 episode, 2004)
• Party Wagon (2004)
• 50 First Dates (2004)
• Jeremiah" (15 episodes, 2003-2004)
• The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
• The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
• Kingdom Hearts (2002)
• The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
• Dish Dogs (2000)
• The Last Producer (2000)
• "Bull" (1 episode 2000)
• Icebreaker (2000)
• The Sky Is Falling (2000)
• Deterrence (1999)
• Kimberly (1999)
• Boy Meets Girl (1998)
• Bulworth (1998)
• "Perversions of Science" (1 episode, 1997)
• Courage Under Fire (1996)
• The Low Life (1995)
• Harrison Bergeron (1995)
• Safe Passage (1994)
• Teresa's Tattoo (1994)
• Rudy (1993)
• Where the Day Takes You (1992)
• Encino Man (1992)
• Toy Soldiers (1991)
• The Willies (1991)
• Memphis Belle (1990)
• The War of the Roses (1989)
• Staying Together (1989)
• Like Father Like Son (1987)
• White Water Summer (1987)
• The B.R.A.T. Patrol (1986)
• The O'Briens (1985)
• The Goonies (1985)
• The Rules of Marriage (1982)
• Please Don't Hit Me, Mom (1981)