Sean Astin is an acclaimed American film and television actor and is best known for classic characters: Samwise Gamgee in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Rudy in Rudy, Mikey Walsh in Spielberg's The Goonies, Doug Whitmore in 50 First Dates, Bob Newby in Netflix’s Stranger Things and most recently, Tyler on ABC’s The Conners. Astin made his Broadway debut as Santa last holiday season, in Elf The Musical.  

Astin currently has an important leadership role with his union, SAG-AFTRA, serving on the national and Los Angeles local boards as well as on many committees. He was on the 2023 TV/Theatrical Negotiating Committee, which oversaw the historic 118-day summer strike, as well as the 2024-25 Animation and Commercials Negotiating committees.  

Recently he delivered keynote speeches at the California Federation of Labor Convention in San Diego and in front of the legislature in Sacramento, CA, in support of AI protections legislation. 

Astin served under six secretaries in two administrations as a Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army (CASA) and was appointed to the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation.  

He regularly speaks to audiences on leadership, acting and with special emphasis on continuing his mother’s (actress Patty Duke) legacy of activism in the area of mental health.  

Astin holds a master’s degree in public administration and policy from American University and a bachelor’s degree in history and English from UCLA.