Sean Astin began his film career with the classic The Goonies. In his early twenties, he appeared in such titles as Toy Soldiers, Encino Man, and Rudy. But then he shot to fame once again with the 2001 release of a small, independent, low budget film trilogy: Lord of the Rings. While it is going to be difficult for him to achieve that level of success again, he has had no trouble finding work since the Peter Jackson trilogy, and he is always a joy to watch.