From the Silver Screen to the Bender Arena Stage: Sean Astin to Address the Class of 2024

Some people know him as Mikey Walsh from the '80s classic The Goonies, Samwise Gamgee from the Lord of the Rings trilogy, Bob Newby from Netflix's Stranger Things, or the inspiring walk-on in Rudy. But we know him as a fellow Eagle.

Award-winning actor and mental health advocate Sean Astin, SPA/MPAP '24, will deliver the address at American University's 148th commencement, December 15, in Bender Arena. About 1,475 members of the Class of 2024 eligible to collect their diplomas across two ceremonies.

"I have always had a passion for public policy and administration. Completing my degree at American University this year is the realization of a lifelong dream. At this moment in the history of our country, nothing is more important than affirming the value of the skill, talent, and dedication of our civil servants," Astin said.

"Starting during COVID, the American University online program was an incredible guide. From the curriculum to my cohort, my academic journey was rigorous and fulfilling. I am thrilled at the opportunity to be delivering this year's commencement address. I believe that my mission is to offer praise and appreciation for everyone's accomplishments and to share some thoughts on our path forward."

Astin's Hollywood career spans more than four decades. After making his debut at age nine in a 1981 television film alongside his mother, Patty Duke, he has appeared in more than 60 movies, including 50 First Dates and Click. He has a recurring role on the ABC sitcom The Conners and is currently playing Santa Claus in the Broadway musical Elf, based on the 2003 film starting Will Ferrell.

Astin's off-screen career is just as robust. He serves on the national and Los Angeles-based boards of the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) union, which represents about 160,000 media professionals. He was a member of the committee that oversaw the historic 118-day strike in 2023-one of the longest labor outages in Hollywood history, which resulted in $1 billion in gains for SAG-AFTRA and new protections around AI technology.

The native Angeleno also served under six cabinet secretaries in two presidential administrations as a civilian aide to the Secretary of the Army. Astin was appointed to serve as a nonpartisan on the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation.

Astin has three daughters with his wife, Christine, and is a passionate mental health advocate, continuing the work of his late mother. Duke, who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 1982, was one of the first celebrities to call attention to mental health issues.

"Through his longtime career as an actor, his civic engagement, and his work as a mental health advocate, Sean Astin exemplifies what it means to be a lifelong learner and community-builder, which are both important parts of what we do and who we are at American University," said AU president Jon Alger. "And, as an Eagle himself, Sean will inspire our graduates with his journey and his continued quest to build change in our world."

Astin-who will be awarded a doctor of humane letters during the ceremony-will be joined on stage by other members of AU's Class of 2024-four student speakers.

Biotechnology graduate student Oreoluwa Erinfolami, CAS/MS '24, and Ethan Cesar, SOC-SPA/BA '24-a double major in political science and public relations and strategic communication-will deliver remarks during the 9 a.m. ceremony for graduates of the College of Arts and Sciences, School of Communication, School of Public Affairs, and Washington College of Law.

Elizabeth Peyton Upchurch, SOE/MEd '24, a graduate student in education policy and leadership, and Mina Lili Kassim, SIS/BA '24, will speak at the 1:30 p.m. ceremony for graduates of the Kogod School of Business, School of International Service, School of Education, and Professional Studies.

All ceremonies will be livestreamed here.