The official start of the 2014-2015 academic year kicks off with the annual University of Idaho Convocation featuring award-winning actor Sean Astin at 8:30 a.m. Friday, at the ASUI Kibbie Activities Center.
Astin, 42, is well known for his role as Samwise Gamgee in the Academy Award-winning “Lord of the Rings” trilogy. Additionally, he’s taken lead roles in popular Hollywood films such as “The Goonies” and “Rudy.”
ASUI President Nate Fisher said he’s looking forward to hearing Astin speak because it will be both inspirational and aspirational in providing insight on succeeding in one’s chosen area of study — an ambition most UI students have.
Aside from his Hollywood fame, Astin has shown his devotion to the art of film by producing many short films. In 1994, Astin directed and co-produced a short film titled “Kangaroo Court,” which was nominated for the Best Live Action Film Academy Award.
Currently, Astin and his wife are working on a full-length feature film based on the Newbery Medal-winning novel, “Number the Stars,” by Lois Lowry.
Astin is also a published author. He released his memoir, “There and Back Again,” in 2004, in which he wrote about his experiences on the set of “Lord of the Rings,” and how the trilogy defined his career. In addition to acting, Astin is also a director, producer and voice artist known for his speaking role as Raphael in Nickelodeon’s “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” TV series.
Astin is also active in politics. He has publicly supported Democrats in presidential elections, and even worked as a campaign manager for a California Democrat in 2011. He also worked in a federal capacity as a Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the U.S. Army and former President George W. Bush even appointed Astin to the Council on Service and Civic Participation.
The “Lord of the Rings” actor has also been vocal in supporting non-profit organizations and has unwaveringly advocated for literacy and mental illnesses such as bi-polar disorder.
He is the son of Academy Award-winning actress Patty Duke and actor John Astin. Assistant to the President Kevin Ketchie said Duke is a proud supporter of UI’s College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences, and anticipates her son to show the same love for UI.
“He’ll bring the message of starting off on a journey and relaying that message of getting started in a business in a positive way,” he said.
Fisher said UI aims to have engaging programs, and it’s important for students to attend the Convocation so similar events can continue in the future. He said incoming freshmen should attend the event because it fosters an environment that promotes unity and success, and will help freshmen connect to resources they may not know about otherwise.