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Born in Baltimore, MD; educated at Washington (D.C.) Drama School, Johns Hopkins, and the University of Minnesota (graduate school). His father, Allen Astin, was the fifth Director of the National Bureau of Standards. Character comedian of stage, over 100 TV guest appearances, "The Addams Family" TV series (1964-66) and some films. He has directed for film and, mainly, television. Notable film appearances include WEST SIDE STORY (1961, as Glad Hand, the social worker leading the dance at the gym), THAT TOUCH OF MINK and PERIOD OF ADJUSTMENT (both 1962), THE WHEELER DEALERS and MOVE OVER, DARLING (both 1963), CANDY (1968), VIVA MAX! (1969), EVERY LITTLE CROOK AND NANNY (1972), FREAKY FRIDAY (1976), NATIONAL LAMPOON'S EUROPEAN VACATION (1985), STEPMONSTER (1993), THE FRIGHTENERS (1996), BETAVILLE (2001), OUT OF HABIT (2002), and STARSHIP II: RENDEZVOUS WITH RAMSES (2007). He has also appeared in many made-for-TV movies. Astin directed episodes of several TV series, including "Night Gallery", "McMilan & Wife", "Operation Petticoat", "CHiPs", "Just Our Luck" and "Murder, She Wrote".
He was formerly married (1972 - 1985) to actress Patty Duke. His children Sean Astin and Mackenzie Astin are actors. He and his wife Valerie are leaders of a Buddhist group in Santa Monica, CA.
1 nomination, 1 Award |
Short Subjects (Live Action)