Sean Astin reveals he had to sell his house after 'The Lord of the Rings'
Despite becoming a fan favourite in the movie, Sean Astin says his earnings from the trilogy were so low
Sean Astin has revealed that starring in The Lord of the Rings trilogy did not bring the financial security many fans might expect, admitting he was forced to sell his house because of the deal he negotiated.
The 55-year-old actor, who portrayed Samwise Gamgee in the Oscar-winning fantasy franchise, said he underestimated just how successful the films would become and agreed to a fee that failed to reflect their lasting impact.
"I was not prepared for that level of visibility and access," Astin told The Guardian.
"There was a disconnect between the attention that I was getting and how much money we had. It was not a lot of money. In fact, I had to sell my house because I negotiated such a small amount on the trilogy."
Despite the financial struggles at the time, Astin said he is now in a much more comfortable position.
"I'm very comfortable financially now," he added.
With new Lord of the Rings projects currently in development, including The Hunt for Gollum, Astin said he would happily return as Samwise if the opportunity arose.
"I don't think anybody is opposed to it. We'd all love to connect to those characters, particularly if it's done with such sensitivity as we heard," he said.
Asked whether he would negotiate a better salary this time around, Astin replied with a laugh: "Goddam right."
Elsewhere in the interview, the Goonies star revealed he has long been interested in politics but believes family commitments have taken priority.
Astin, who shares three daughters with wife Christine Harrell, said he and his wife have often discussed enjoying a quiet retirement together rather than pursuing another demanding career.
"I've always fantasised about it," he said of entering politics. "Actors love politics. We want to play congressmen and senators and presidents."
While he believes he possesses qualities that could serve him well in public office, Astin acknowledged he is far from perfect and remains focused on his current responsibilities, including serving as president of the actors' union SAG-AFTRA.
