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‘Goonies’ Star Sean Astin Says He Doesn’t ‘Begrudge’ Himself for Being ‘Nepo Baby’

‘Goonies’ Star Sean Astin Says He Doesn’t ‘Begrudge’ Himself for Being ‘Nepo Baby’

While some say he received his acting start by being the son of actor John Astin and the late Patty Duke, Goonies star Sean Astin says he doesn’t mind the “nepo baby” title he has. 

When asked during his latest interview with Page Six how he got his start in Hollywood, Astin joked “Neopotism.”

“Listen it’s just true,” Sean Astin stated. “Life is hard, work is hard. Finding your way in the world is hard. So when people have some good fortune, I don’t begrudge that. And I don’t begrudge myself having been born into a family where I was given a lot.”

Astin did say that he feels his privilege comes with a lot of responsibility that those in the same situation have the opportunity to embrace or not. “So yeah… you know… [you] nailed it,” he jokingly continued about being a nepo baby. “Got it in one!” 

Although he had a headstart with his career thanks to his family connections, Sean Astin has had a great acting career over the past four decades. Among his well-known roles are The Goonies, The Lord of the Rings franchise, Rudy, and Netflix’s Strange Things. 

Sean Astin Points Out He’s ‘Always Grateful’ For His Acting Career 

Upon pointing out how he got his start in Hollywood, Sean Astin can’t help but point out the appreciation he has for his four-decade-long acting career. 

“I’ve spent many weekends a year going to places where people [give me] feedback,” he explained. “How important those films are to them and how much they mean. I’m grateful. I’m always grateful.” 

He then said that he was raised by Duke, who notably had an easy connection with people everywhere she went. “Such a normal way of communicating,” he said about his mother. “And it was so disarming for people. That was my experience as a little child, watching the impact that people could have on each other. And I think in some way my life just sort of emulates that in a strange way.”

Meanwhile, Sean Astin spoke about his latest film The Shift, which is about a man who after meeting a mysterious stranger, must escape a “dystopian” world to return to his wife. “Movies that are sort of apocalyptic or post-apocalyptic have always held a curiosity for people,” Astin shared. “But somehow, you know, in the post-COVID world where there’s so much trauma and drama going around all around us and people are more aware of it now maybe than they were in the past.”