Some Musings About Sean Astin

I hadn’t realized that Sean Astin became president of SAG-AFTRA last year (in a landslide victory) because that’s not the sort of thing that people whose only connection to Hollywood is through a screen tend to know. That’s also why I hadn’t realized that his mom (whose name I had to look up) had previously held the position.

Yet I wasn’t surprised to learn that, as part of this role, Astin is standing up with actors when it comes to negotiating AI use in movies and TV. I remember his activism with the now-defunct Vox Populi, a podcast that I wrote about as an influence way back when. Somewhere in my file box is a letter from Astin and a signed photo of him as Samwise Gamgee as thanks for my participation. Of course, I doubt that my posting about Vox Populi helped propel it. I’m sure that Astin’s success was far more crucial than my participation. Still, it left a mark on me regarding his character, a mark that’s only supported by Astin’s work for SAG-AFTRA.

I don’t think it’s a surprise that Astin picks so many roles that allow him to showcase his innate compassion, loyalty, and sensitivity. I should hope that, if he ever saw my words, Sean Astin wouldn’t think that I’m accusing him of being a bad actor. Rather, he’s a good one because he puts so much of himself into his roles. He is Sean Astin playing someone else, and we love him for it–at least, I do.

It’s easy to imagine a world where he wasn’t beloved by four different fathers or raised by a woman described as resilient, much as he has been, that would have eaten him alive (my fingers want to type “chewed him alive” and confuse those two sayings). Sean Astin has no doubt benefited from being Hollywood royalty. Many men with a disposition similar to the one he seems to possess have been less fortunate. But as a result of his luck, the audience, his co-workers, and the world as a whole have also—and will continue to—benefit.

Without his activism, Sean Astin would still deserve the role as president. His illustrious career is longer than my life, after all. His activism only makes him that much more suited to take on the current challenges presented by AI, as he has done over the past year. It’s funny how, for those paying attention, his off-screen work can be the impetus to become a fan just as much as his on-screen work.

I could keep it in check buuut why bother?!

Who knew that Sean Astin might be the hero we all need?