Sean Astin Continues Mother’s Mental Health Work: ‘I Do Her Proud’
By Movieguide® Contributor
LORD OF THE RINGS star Sean Astin is continuing his late mother’s work as an advocate for those struggling with their mental health.
“In our business as actors, we’re like emotional technicians,” he said in an interview with Texas’ KLTV. “When you transfer that into a real-life moment, you want to be able to calibrate all those emotions that you are trained to have access to in a way that really acknowledges the truth of somebody else.”
Astin was moved to start a foundation calling attention to mental health issues following the death of his mother, actress Patty Duke, who revealed she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in her 1987 memoir.
The pair had a strained relationship, but Astin says that’s all in the past now.
“Since my mom passed away in 2016, all of the memories of that tension have faded,” the actor shared, “and all of the stories and experiences that are my childhood and my life with my mother, they’re warm and instructive. When I’m sitting on stage talking about her, I literally look up and say, ‘I’m pretty sure my mom is watching down on me right now.’ So, I know I do her proud.”
Through his foundation, Astin encourages people to speak up about their feelings and to ask for help when they need it. The STRANGER THINGS star explained that it might be easier for people to hear that message from him.
“To have someone that you have enjoyed talking to you about this issue of mental health in a comfortable and non-judgmental way, just sharing my experience and my mom’s experience, it reminds people that they’re not alone,” he said.
Astin frequently shares his own experiences with his mother’s mental health struggles and how that impacted him growing up.
“Anyone who knew my mom knew her struggles,” he shared during a mental health conference in Lincoln, Nebraska. “She knew her ups and downs, she would tell the story, she’d have a freak-out, she’d crash the car, she’d do something terrible. It was awful, and then we’d be at dinner and she’d be embarrassed, but dealt with her embarrassment by telling the story to people. So in a really strange way, I was designed as a human being to communicate about this stuff.”
Astin also said that, by communicating about these feelings, his family was able to understand and forgive.
“We were able to express our deepest feelings to one another,” he explained. “We would offer positive words, try to listen, to understand. Our family, we are experts in forgiveness.”
Movieguide® previously reported on the impact Duke’s diagnosis had on Astin:
Christian actor Sean Astin (RUDY, LORD OF THE RINGS) recently opened up about how his mother, Patty Duke, impacted his views on mental health.
In an interview with PEOPLE, Astin got candid about Duke’s public battle with bipolar disorder.
“The pain that my family endured because we were living with someone with a mental health condition actually has become an important ingredient to my being able to offer support to other people,” said Astin.
Her tireless work left an impact on her son, who has appeared in multiple movies with faith and family content.
Astin was nominated for a Grace Prize® at the 2016 Movieguide® Awards for his role in WOODLAWN. The actor uses his faith to talk about mental health with his family.
“We share our feelings. If someone has an issue, there’s no judgment,” said Astin. “These conversations don’t have to be laden with guilt or shame or fear or judgment.”
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Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
