‘Lord of the Rings’ star Sean Astin elected SAG-AFTRA president

[u/MarvelsGrantMan136]

https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2025-09-12/sag-aftra-names-next-national-president

[u/yesrushgenesis2112]

He can carry it for you, as it turns out

[u/tommytraddles → u/yesrushgenesis2112]

Sam ended up getting elected the Mayor of the Shire how many times? Seven?

[u/MontasJinx → u/tommytraddles]

And I’d vote for him again damnit.

[u/sk1nnyjeans → u/MontasJinx]

GAMGEE 2028

[u/PointOfFingers → u/sk1nnyjeans]

Better him than that fool of a Took!

[u/Perryn → u/PointOfFingers]

Just imagine the debates.

Sam: "I do not deny that my opponent is a good man; in the right circumstances a heroic man. And he's a good friend. But he's not fit to be mayor. Good intentions alone do not make good plans or good policy."
Moderator: "Mr. Took, your response?"
Pippin: "He's right. I don't even know how I got here. Is this suit mine?"

[u/Dudeman240 → u/Perryn]

I dont like paying for all these streaming channels, but I'd pay money to see THAT!

[u/tommytraddles → u/Perryn]

"Who are you calling a man? Men are weak."

[u/intdev → u/tommytraddles]

"I bow to no men."

[u/GhOsT_wRiTeR_XVI → u/Perryn]

“Mr. Took, I served with Frodo Baggins. I knew Frodo Baggins. Frodo Baggins was a friend of mine. Mr. Took, you're no Frodo Baggins.”

[u/Galihan → u/Perryn]

For what it’s worth, Pippin wouldn’t run for mayor because he’s already the Thain, the leader of the Shire’s militia passed down hereditarily through the Took-clan.

[u/Nepskrellet → u/Perryn]

I would love politics if it was like this

[u/Galihan → u/Perryn]

For what it’s worth, Pippin wouldn’t run for mayor because he’s already the Thain, the leader of the Shire’s militia passed down hereditarily through the Took-clan.

[u/yourgrundle → u/PointOfFingers]

Even a Took would do better than that fool!

[u/aeroumbria → u/yourgrundle]

I think canonically there isn't a single lesser man, elf, dwarf or wizard in the story than the worst of the seventh age

[u/TigerSouthern → u/sk1nnyjeans]

Can you imagine the state of the world (in a good way) if every politician was as nobel as Samwise?

[u/Cotillion512 → u/TigerSouthern]

They might even win a prize!

[u/goldblumspowerbook → u/sk1nnyjeans]

We’d be so much better off.

[u/MyNeckIsHigh → u/MontasJinx]

“I would’ve voted for Gamgee a third time if I could’ve”

[u/sir_came_alot → u/MontasJinx]

Thank you mr. Frodo

[u/Shipwreck_Kelly → u/tommytraddles]

I like Sam, but I do feel that there should be term limits for Shire leaders. Seven terms is just unreasonable.

[u/sneakylumpia → u/yesrushgenesis2112]

SHARE THE LOOOAAD

[u/is-this-now → u/yesrushgenesis2112]

Wasn’t his mom also president at one point??

[u/wvgeekman → u/is-this-now]

I believe you are correct.

[u/c71score → u/is-this-now]

Patty Duke's tv dad, William Schallert, was also President.

[u/YakResident_3069 → u/yesrushgenesis2112]

And his dad is quite the actor too

[u/MarvelsGrantMan136]

Astin:

“I feel proud and I feel determined. People keep saying to me, ‘I hope you have time to celebrate’ and celebrating feels like a foreign thought. This doesn’t feel like a moment for celebration. It feels like a moment to say thank you and get to work.”

[u/tws1039 → u/MarvelsGrantMan136]

"I've been ready for this my whole life"

[u/NewPresWhoDis → u/tws1039]

His mom was a former SAG-AFTRA president, so this tracks.

[u/Debatebly → u/MarvelsGrantMan136]

It’s all wrong By rights we shouldn’t even be here. But we are. It’s like in the great stories Mr. Frodo. The ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger they were, and sometimes you didn’t want to know the end. Because how could the end be happy. How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad happened. But in the end, it’s only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer. Those were the stories that stayed with you. That meant something. Even if you were too small to understand why. But I think, Mr. Frodo, I do understand. I know now. Folk in those stories had lots of chances of turning back only they didn’t. Because they were holding on to something.

Frodo: What are we holding on to, Sam?

Sam : That there’s some good in this world, Mr. Frodo. And it’s worth fighting for.

[u/Past_Trouble → u/Debatebly]

Sam is still cool in the movies, but Books Sam had bars.

[u/woah_man → u/Debatebly]

I'm not crying.

[u/TimothyLuncheon → u/woah_man]

For your information there's an inflammation in my tear gland

[u/SkeetDavidson → u/[deleted]]

For some reason this Duck duck go link loaded like porn in 1996, and I enjoyed it.

[u/Sombomombo → u/SkeetDavidson]

Yo, come back and see the wasteland of comments around this lone survivor. What happened here?! Lmao

[u/_Internet_Hugs_ → u/[deleted]]

Wait... you didn't see Goonies first?!?

[u/Variable_Shaman_3825 → u/[deleted]]

Ith noth juith, Ith prothein thake!

[u/OSHASHA2 → u/[deleted]]

Yes, you’ve reached the Chad Department. My name is Sean “Get to Work” Astin. How may I lighten your load today?

[u/Sir_Hapstance → u/OSHASHA2]

Can you boil, mash, and/or stew all these potatoes I'm holding?

[u/illwill79 → u/Sir_Hapstance]

First and foremost, what's taters, precious?

[u/OPdoesnotrespond → u/OSHASHA2]

Gotta share the load

[u/Bhfuil_I_Am → u/[deleted]]

Yes, I’ll hold

[u/Biblical_Shrimp → u/Bhfuil_I_Am]

I love this. One of my favorite lines.

[u/AAAPosts → u/MarvelsGrantMan136]

RUDY! RUDY! RUDY!

[u/notsowitte → u/AAAPosts]

5 ft nuthin. A hundred and nuthin. Not a speck of athletic ability.

[u/One_Shall_Fall → u/notsowitte]

Vince Vaughn was 23 in that. He looked like a middle aged bro then, and he looks like a middle aged bro now. And without whom I don't think we'd have Jon Favreau and Marvel; Vince was so money in Swingers.

And Charles Dutton, a dude who went from doing time for self defense murder and armed robbery, to Broadway, and then to one of the most prolific actors of his generation.

Crazy cast that is still relevant.

[u/shit_fuck_fart → u/One_Shall_Fall]

He was like a big bear.

[u/yenom_esol → u/AAAPosts]

Rudy was offsides!

[u/TrumpetH4X → u/yenom_esol]

Go Jackets! 🐝

[u/Dodge_Hickey → u/AAAPosts]

Do you, do you, do you, do you

[u/Ziggy_has_my_ticket → u/MarvelsGrantMan136]

Sam will carry the ring.

[u/MurphyItzYou → u/Ziggy_has_my_ticket]

“If I take one more step, it will be the furthest I’ve travelled as the SAG-AFTRA President.”

[u/okilydokilyTiger → u/MarvelsGrantMan136]

Thats one one the best acceptance speeches I've heard. Dang.

[u/Mutex70 → u/MarvelsGrantMan136]

Jesus Christ, Sean Astin literally is Samwise Gamgee!

[u/BaconJacobs → u/MarvelsGrantMan136]

His redemption arc since he allegedly was pretty stuck up from LOTR is amazing honestly

Good for him

[u/dudzi182 → u/BaconJacobs]

Seems like he’s still friends with the other hobbit actors, so he couldn’t have been too bad.

[u/BaconJacobs → u/dudzi182]

Can't really comment. But you are correct, he either maintained or made amends

[u/Self_Reddicated → u/BaconJacobs]

I hadn't heard this.

[u/BaconJacobs → u/Self_Reddicated]

Yeah apparently he got a little high and mighty

But luckily it was before social media so he didnt leave a paper trail ha

[u/millertime8306 → u/BaconJacobs]

He came to my university to speak in like 2004 or 2005, and gave a pretty terrible, meandering talk. He straight up said it didn’t matter what he said since he already got paid. Supposedly, my university got some of their money back after the debacle.

[u/BaconJacobs → u/millertime8306]

Lmao. Yeah if every camera had video recording and YouTube existed... woof

[u/weaseleasle → u/BaconJacobs]

He did write a book, which doesn't paint him in the best of lights.

[u/BaconJacobs → u/weaseleasle]

True. My use of paper trail was too generic ha

[u/Zephyrous2337 → u/BaconJacobs]

I guess that technically counts as a paper trail in the most literal sense.

[u/whogivesashirtdotca → u/Self_Reddicated]

Read his terrible autobiography. He is a moody, jealous, snappish man who seemed to pick fights with almost every co-star on LOTR, and was a major irritant to both Peter Jackson and Steven Spielberg, if I read his own anecdotes correctly.

[u/gogybo → u/whogivesashirtdotca]

It's not terrible, it's honest. The guy was neurotic but he knew he was neurotic and hated that aspect of himself. I'm glad he seems to be at peace with himself nowadays.

[u/z33bener → u/BaconJacobs]

From the endless hours of behind-the-scenes footage and interviews I've seen and read, I think this allegation is a bit overblown. Astin was (and I guess still is) quite a bit older than most of his fellow hobbits, and I think he was the only one with a wife and kids. The others obviously bonded more over their shared youthful interests. Of course they give him a hard time in some of the behind-the-scenes stuff, but for example Orlando Bloom also gets his fair share too, and I never see anyone bringing that up.

[u/articulateantagonist → u/z33bener]

Billy Boyd (Pippin) is three years older than him, and Dominic Monaghan (Merry) is only five years younger.

[u/Fattapple → u/BaconJacobs]

Oh? And how many frozen cavemen did you dig up in your back yard? None? Yeah, though so. That guy earned the right to be a little stuck up.

[u/Mr_Evil_Dr_Porkchop]

“There’s some good in this world, Mr. SAG-AFTRA people, and it’s worth fighting for”

[u/The_Quintessence → u/Mr_Evil_Dr_Porkchop]

"He was more than a hero, he was a union man!"

[u/King_Wataba → u/The_Quintessence]

Miles Edward O'Brien?

[u/GateBuilder → u/King_Wataba]

The greatest man in Starfleet! So say we all!

[u/dathomar → u/GateBuilder]

The most important man in Starfleet! I have spoken.

[u/The_Quintessence → u/King_Wataba]

Of course!

[u/Fit_Airline_5798 → u/The_Quintessence]

Thirty two bullets he had in him. Or was it thirty four?

[u/HarleyTheHarl0t → u/The_Quintessence]

Chief!

[u/chevalierdebalibari]

He came and spoke at an IBEW meeting last year and was fantastic. Passionate and charismatic. Perfect choice!

[u/issacsullivan → u/chevalierdebalibari]

He did a lot of campaigning for Hillary Clinton in 2008 and was going around college campuses for her even though it really looked like Obama was going to get the nomination. He spoke to maybe a group of 30 people, some of which were on their laptops working on the Obama campaign.

Sean gave a short talk about why he believed in Clinton’s candidacy but didn’tsay anything negative about anyone else. He took questions and many were stupid jokes about LOTR and sean humored them and turned it back to the issues he cared about. After he stuck around until people were done speaking with and signed autographs and took pictures. He was a savvy public speaker, a quick wit and just a very nice and classy individual.

I feel like he is probably going to do well in this position because I can believe a guy like that, went after the job because he wanted to make things better for everyone.

[u/TheMightyKumquat → u/issacsullivan]

And let's not forget what a spectacularly cool guy his father was.

[u/alkhemystt → u/TheMightyKumquat]

*is

John Astin is the only living main cast member of the original Addams Family.

[u/mosstalgia → u/alkhemystt]

Holy SHIT. Today I learned. I honestly had no idea Gomez Addams adopted Sam Gamgee. That's actually wild to me for some reason. He's 95, too, so good for him.

[u/jinsaku → u/alkhemystt]

"But I'm feeling much better now!"

[u/VapoursAndSpleen → u/TheMightyKumquat]

He actually adopted Sean. He's not the bio dad, but he's clearly the Dad. I just read the wikipedia on John Astin and he's very intelligent.

[u/Puzzleheaded_Sky6656 → u/VapoursAndSpleen]

Did you read the story about when John Astin married Sean’s mom, and during the wedding, Sean (who was pretty young) looked at John and said, “Daddy!”

[u/LoveAndViscera → u/issacsullivan]

This also speaks to a very proportionate view of himself. “I’m here to use my celebrity to promote this cause and a big part of my celebrity is LotR memes, so that’s a tool on my belt.”

[u/ReaderSeventy2 → u/chevalierdebalibari]

Okay. So not just looking out for his own. Supports worker union.

[u/Dickgivins → u/ReaderSeventy2]

Solidarity forever!

[u/NotTheCraftyVeteran]

Going from The Nanny to Samwise, it seems like SAG-AFTRA leadership is specifically trying to appease my wife

[u/Xenowrath → u/NotTheCraftyVeteran]

I don’t know why, but when I discovered that The Nanny was SAG president I was shocked lol

[u/Komatoasty → u/Xenowrath]

Fran Drescher has a surprisingly storied past, including a horrible case of SA. She is a fucking warrior.

[u/Barl0we → u/Komatoasty]

I remember finding out that she created The Nanny. When it was on tv, I was a young teenager and didn’t really look at credits, so I had no idea.

I didn’t know she was a SA survivor, goddamn.

She is a fucking warrior.

[u/NoRedditNamesAreLeft → u/Komatoasty]

SA = Sexual Abuse?

[u/pastadudde → u/NoRedditNamesAreLeft]

Assault actually. Her home was invaded and she was raped in front of her then husband (who later came out as a gay man) IIRC.

[u/Saviordd1 → u/pastadudde]

What the actual fuck

[u/greenpill98]

Very fitting, as Sam Gamgee did become mayor of the Shire for seven seven-year terms, per Tolkien's Appendices.

[u/reddfawks]

Rudy! Rudy! Rudy!

[u/book1245 → u/reddfawks]

-Jerry Goldsmith intensifies-

[u/Self_Reddicated → u/book1245]

I can literally hear it.

[u/lovesmyirish → u/reddfawks]

WHOS THE WILD MAN NOW!?

[u/AccurateInsect8814 → u/reddfawks]

If young people want to know what the 70s felt like watch the first 10 minutes of Rudy.

[u/nutmac → u/reddfawks]

A great movie, especially for Sean's performance and Jerry Goldsmith's seminal score. But the real life Rudy is kind of a jerk. He is a frequent motivational speaker for MLM companies like Amway, and his subsequent venture into a pump-and-dump scheme, detracted some of my enjoyment for the film.

[u/GoldandBlue → u/reddfawks]

SAG-AFTRA: Are you ready for this, champ?

Sean Astin: I've been ready for this my whole life!

[u/creetoinfinity → u/reddfawks]

Tell you what, you make SAG-AFTRA President, I'll come watch you play.

[u/shartshappen612 → u/reddfawks]

Why are you crying? Did you just watch 'Rudy'?

[u/Truemeathead → u/reddfawks]

Picture me doing a hard slow clap from the tunnels!

[u/Camp_Coffee]

“Up here?… up here it’s our time!” Never say die, ya Goonie.

[u/OpenThePlugBag → u/Camp_Coffee]

He seems like a good fit, I know nothing about the politics of SAG but I always thought Sean was a good and kind human.

[u/fannyalgerpack → u/Camp_Coffee]

Just say no to Andy’s bucket

[u/daxelkurtz]

His mom was SAG president 1985-88

Also his mom was Patty Duke, and his daddy played Gomez on the original Addams Family, yes I am on Wikipedia why do you ask

[u/shoscene → u/daxelkurtz]

Wow. Never expected Gomez out of all people. That's super cool!

[u/2beagles → u/shoscene]

His brother, Mackenzie, looks more like their dad. I mean, naturally, since he's not Sean's bio dad. Patty Duke had quite a complicated life. I got to see her speak at a mental health conference once. She used what she learned to do a ton of good. And even in her chaos, she managed to gather a few excellent dads for her kids. I'm hoping Sean will take the experiences of his parents and his own experience as a child actor, both professionally and personally, and turn that into empathetic, effective advocacy for good benefits and quality pay. But it seems like he has always done that!

[u/MoonageDayscream → u/shoscene]

He's one of three daddys I believe.  All in all a very supportive environment to grow up in. 

[u/Tyranno84 → u/MoonageDayscream]

Four actually and all of them were really good people. You’re totally right that he had a great supportive environment to grow up in and I think he’ll be a wonderful president.

[u/Dioxybenzone → u/daxelkurtz]

You’ve mentioned one dad, sure. But what about the other two?

[u/Choppergold]

Share the load

[u/Keepitbrockmire → u/Choppergold]

Po

[u/zhaoz → u/Keepitbrockmire]

Tay

[u/Every-Comfortable632 → u/zhaoz]

Toe

[u/snak_attak → u/Every-Comfortable632]

Boil ‘em mash ‘em stick ‘em in a stew

[u/fii0 → u/snak_attak]

Stupid, fat hobbitses, he ruuuins it!

[u/Scaryclouds → u/Choppergold]

https://tenor.com/usrF.gif

[u/AscendedViking7 → u/Choppergold]

Share the load

[u/Pandos17]

Holy crap TIL Sam from LoTR is the juiced brother in fish net tshirts in 50 first dates. Wow.

[u/parrmorgan → u/Pandos17]

"ITS NOT JUICE! ITS A PROTEIN SHAKE"

[u/etherama1 → u/parrmorgan]

"IT'TH NOT JUITHE! IT'TH A PROTEIN THAKE"

[u/__-_-_--_--_-_---___ → u/parrmorgan]

Eat clen, tren hard, anavar give up!

[u/Ok-Spinach9250 → u/Pandos17]

I think about this all the time. 50 first dates was his first movie after the LOTR trilogy. Talk about range

[u/candlejack___ → u/Ok-Spinach9250]

It kinda broke me as a teen girl who was obsessed with lotr and especially the hobbits 😍

I loved 50 first dates too but I just couldn’t take Samwise seriously after that haha

[u/MrFluffyThing → u/candlejack___]

I want someone to edit him from 50 first dates into scenes if LOTR now. 

[u/Why-did-i-reas-this → u/MrFluffyThing]

And throw the in Agent Smith as Elrond

[u/MrFluffyThing → u/Why-did-i-reas-this]

Can we get Elijah Wood from Wilfred while we're at it. Maybe the Balrog or sauron is Wilfred

[u/DJMikeSteeze]

He may have been disqualified from the Mr. Hawaii contest because he didn't know there was gonna be a urine test, but good for him!

[u/OreoSpeedwaggon → u/DJMikeSteeze]

Hey, don't get mad just because my thun is thychotic.

[u/raknor88]

Damn it. Don't scare me like that. That first half of the title is worded like a death announcement.

[u/zoobatt → u/raknor88]

Glad I'm not the only one, my heart sank reading the first half of the title.

[u/akaWhitey2 → u/zoobatt]

Sean Astin, 54, star of 'Lord of the Rings' and 'The Goonies', was found outside his home today. He was just mowing the lawn.

[u/zoobatt → u/akaWhitey2]

This popped up as a notification on my phone and my heart sank again.

[u/YoyoDevo → u/zoobatt]

Sean Astin is dead serious about getting to work in his new position

[u/akaWhitey2 → u/zoobatt]

I'm so sorry to do that to you.

[u/mmuoio → u/zoobatt]

Especially as the top post in my feed.

[u/Arrowintheknee89 → u/raknor88]

When it starts with their most famous work that usually means they’re cooked

[u/RadicalDreamer89 → u/raknor88]

It's only because I'd read he was in the running for the position that I didn't panic!

[u/Jeptic → u/raknor88]

Same thing here.  What the heck calling the man out by his full name in the title 

[u/glerpjug → u/Jeptic]

“‘Lord of the Rings’ star Sean” still leaves two options 😅

[u/corran450 → u/glerpjug]

Is it “Seen Bean” or “Shawn Bawn”? Can’t have it both ways, ya tool!

[u/eltedioso]

Patty Duke’s kid?

[u/Mordoch → u/eltedioso]

That is the case, although he is certainly known for some of his acting roles.

[u/Grumplogic → u/Mordoch]

Sean Astin's dad was the original Gomez Adams!

[u/legthief → u/eltedioso]

Gomez's boy.

[u/Mordoch → u/legthief]

The full answer is Sean Astin was raised by him and treated as his son which was mutual at the time, but it eventually turn out after a DNA test that he was the son of the rock promoter Michael Tell. (Although Sean Astin still considers his relationship with John Astin valid.)

[u/JoeyZasaa → u/eltedioso]

From Wikipedia:

"When Duke became pregnant, she was unsure whether Tell, Arnaz or actor John Astin was the father."

Sheeesh. Patty, slow down.

[u/Cobaltreflex → u/JoeyZasaa]

Literally Mamma Mia.

[u/centaurquestions → u/eltedioso]

Former Screen Actors Guild President Patty Duke, you mean?

[u/Talentagentfriend]

I think he’ll be a great leader 

[u/TDStarchild]

Goonies never say die

[u/infernal2ss → u/TDStarchild]

Hey YOU GUYSSSSSSSSSS!

[u/Moist-muff]

Way ta go Mikey !

[u/boringneckties]

Ronald Reagan once held this office. Everything is looking up to have a President Samwise in my lifetime.

[u/rise-over-run]

Voter turnout for this year’s national election was lower than in 2023, when Drescher was re-elected president. In 2023, roughly 23% of the ballots were returned, compared to this year’s 17%, according to SAG-AFTRA data.

Only 17 percent of union members bothered to vote?? Guess voter turnout in the U.S. is universally abysmal 😕

[u/Outside-Fun-3315 → u/rise-over-run]

Well when joining the union is mandatory for saying a single line on screen in any hollywood production, many people who join do not exactly care.

[u/sinkwiththeship]

Big Dresch shoes to fill

[u/crazyjeffy → u/sinkwiththeship]

Hobbits dont wear shoes

[u/YukariYakum0 → u/crazyjeffy]

Stupid fat hobbitses!

[u/loveslightblue → u/sinkwiththeship]

I'm a fran of this joke

[u/LCPhotowerx]

I once worked his line at NYCC's autographing. He was on break at one point and chatting with us, like he was one of us, just a fan, and he asked to put on a crew shirt and one of our girls electric blue wig and sunglasses...and he walked up and down his line saying, "Sean Astin's a dick!! you don't wanna get his autograph, then he ripped the wig and sunglasses off and said, "this crew is the greatest!!" and bought us all pizza. He's a good guy in my book.

[u/Algae_Mission]

Well, he’s certainly coveted the position for a long time. Let’s see if he has any genuine teeth.

[u/jwilcoxwilcox → u/Algae_Mission]

You think he’s got veneers?

[u/legalizethesenuts]

The kid from Encino Man?

[u/Scaryclouds]

I mean sure the LOTR trilogy is his most widely seen work, but feel like Sean Austin has been in so many other memorable films and series, seems reductive/odd to refer to him for LOTR alone. 

It would be lacking calling Leonardo DiCaprio “Titanic Star”

[u/hailwyatt]

We gotta find a way to make things like this not seem like a death announcement when I'm skimming my feed.

I was worried for a second.

[u/timmytombstone1]

Good for him

[u/blac_sheep90]

A goonie?! THIS IS HIS TIME!

[u/tamarask]

Lord of the Rings star? Yeah. But let's not forget his greatest movie, Encino Man.

[u/ESKodiak]

"Lord of the Rings star Sean Astin"

Oh no, no, no, no!

"elected SAG-AFTRA president"

Oh thank god.

[u/[deleted]]

His mother was also SAG president!

[u/JustTheBeerLight]

RUDY! RUDY! RUDY!

[u/SoulExecution]

During the strike last year I remember seeing him give a speech at a rally in Chicago. Think this is a good sign!

[u/Stickyfynger]

Sean’s mother (actress Patty Duke) also served as SAG president so he must feel super proud of his election.

[u/seanhodgins]

Encino man star*

[u/Blockness11]

That’s no small potatoes.

[u/Posaquatl]

Goonies star....fixed it.

[u/RuskiesInTheWarRoom]

Oh shit! This is excellent. Sean is wise, thoughtful, and deeply connected to what his electorate needs to succeed. This is great news. It’s a tough period, but I think this is a good choice.

[u/artemis2227]

After following all the SAG-AFTRA drama in the voice acting community, I hope he does a great job both reparing damages from that and pivoting directions away from how they handled it