The Life-Changing Tip 'Addams Family' Star John Astin Gave His Son Sean Astinoriginally appeared onParade. ActorSean Astinrevealed an acting tip from his famous father,John Astin, 95, ended up changing his life. ReMind magazinereported that Sean spoke about his father, who famously starred as Gomez Addams in the '60s sitcomThe Addams Family, during a July 16 interview withAARP. TheLord of the Ringsstar said he was auditioning for the 1985 film,The Gooniesaround the time his late mother,Patty Duke, and John divorced. According to Sean, his father helped him with the script while he was staying at his condo. "He helped work with me on the audition. And what he kept saying to me was, 'Sean, stop acting your idea of what this boy is supposed to be. It's actually you. If you look at what he's saying and how he's being, it's you. And the most important thing you can do is just be honest. Just have what you're saying be honest,'" said Sean while speaking to AARP. Sean then said, "that piece of advice has carried [him] through [his] acting career." As fans of theGooniesare aware, Sean was cast as Michael "Mikey" Walsh. The beloved adventure film ended up being the 54-year-old actor's big break. During a 2018 interview withGreat Day Houston, Sean said his mother, who starred inThe Patty Duke ShowandValley of the Dolls, encouraged him to go into the entertainment business. "I think of it as one of those windup toys. And she just wound me up when I was 8 years old and she had me in this afterschool special and she just kind of set me forward," said Sean with a smile. Sean also shared he was surprisedThe Goonieshas had such a dedicated fanbase. "I can't believe howGooniesstill lives in the hearts of people everywhere I go," said the actor during the interview. The Life-Changing Tip 'Addams Family' Star John Astin Gave His Son Sean Astinfirst appeared on Parade on Jun 17, 2025 This story was originally reported byParadeon Jun 17, 2025, where it first appeared.