“LOTR” star and SAG-AFTRA president Sean Astin shouts out Hollywood family at 2026 Actor Awards

Nick RomanoMon, March 2, 2026 at 3:58 AM UTC

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Sean Astin at the Actor Awards 2026Credit: VALERIE MACON / AFP via Getty

Sean Astin took the stage at the newly rebranded Actor Awards Sunday night for the first time as SAG-AFTRA president.

Astin, known for playing Mikey in The Goonies and Sam in the Lord of the Rings movies, delivered a speech as Fran Drescher's successor in the actors' union role. As part of his appearance, he paid tribute to his family members who are and were both actors and union members.

"Special mentions to my father, John Astin, 95 years old. He originated the role of Gomez Addams in The Addams Family," Astin said. "To my late mother, Academy Award winner, and former president of our union, Patty Duke. To my brother, Mackenzie, who has an early call time tomorrow, shooting a show in Atlanta; and to my daughter, Ali, we currently have a movie out this weekend in actual theaters."

Elijah Wood and Sean Astin in 'The Lord of the Rings: Two Towers'Credit: New Line/courtesy Everett Collection

He pointed out, "That is, count 'em, five members of the union in our family. And if you want to know what it's like to live with that, you can ask my patient, beautiful wife of 35 years, Christine."

Astin also called out his daughters, Elizabeth and Isabella, but joked they are "two full-time self-tape readers" who "do story and character notes" and "set up all the equipment."

"Awesome free labor!" Astin joked.

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Astin was elected president of SAG-AFTRA this past September, in an election that also saw Michelle Hurd (Law & Order: SVU, Star Trek: Picard) elected as Secretary-Treasurer of the union. He will serve in the role for two years, taking over from Drescher, who served for four years.

John Astin in 'The Addams Family'Credit: Everett Collection

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He celebrated the union members in attendance and the nominees for the Actor Awards. "Solidarity carried us through a very hard time. We are back in negotiations with the AMPTP," Astin noted. "Everyone is working very hard to achieve a solid deal."

He continued, "What we're doing is giving our members a fighting chance to provide for themselves and for their families, and allow us all to work in an environment that respects our dignity and the lives and health of our colleagues."

See the full list of winners.

on Entertainment Weekly

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”