Sean Astin explains why people connect with Sam from Lord of the Rings

Whether he’s carrying Frodo on his back to reach the top of Mount Doom or simply trying to explain how to pronounce “potatoes,” we all love Samwise Gamgee. If there was ever an example of a perfect friend, it’s him. Even over two decades since Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings movies first hit theatres, Sam remains as beloved as ever, and over the years, star Sean Astin has learned exactly why.

Recently speaking with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Astin was asked why fans still connect with his iconic portrayal of Sam. According to Astin, it all comes down to Sam’s wonderful way with words.

"Some of the speeches Samwise gets to deliver, there are just certain phrases that just feel like home. They feel safe, warm, protective. There’s something about the way they come out and the context that is like a song. It’s like a warm blanket sitting by the fire for people."

I don’t think any actor could’ve portrayed Sam in the same way Sean Astin did. His impact on fans has stretched way beyond the screen, with his speeches being used as a source of comfort, especially during the “pandemic era.” Astin feels honored to be able to ease people in difficult situations. “I got to do that,” he said. “What a blessing.”

Sean Astin didn’t read the books before being cast in The Lord of the Rings

So how does an actor do justice to such a beloved character? The most obvious answer would be that he grew up with the character and knew them inside and out. However, not only had Sean Astin not heard of The Lord of the Rings before auditioning for the role, he didn’t even know about The Hobbit.

“I didn’t even know what Lord of the Rings was when my agent called me,” the actor told Collider. “Would’ve been late spring of ’99. She’s like, ‘It’s the Lord of the Rings trilogy.’ I’m like, ‘What’s that?’ She goes, ‘The Hobbit. It’s The Hobbit.’ I’m like, ‘What?’ So that’s bad. But I went to the bookstore. And I went in there, [because] she said I was going to audition for Sam.”

"It was like data mining. I was hard-charging through the book so I could appreciate the literature. I could appreciate the descriptions of the topography and all that. But I didn’t enjoy the books in the way that fans for 20 years have been describing to me how they enjoy the books."

However fast he read them, it clearly paid off.

It remains to be seen whether Amazon Prime Video’s upcoming Lord of the Rings prequel series will have a character as likable and inspiring as Samwise. Let’s hope Middle-earth’s next crop of stars can stand toe-to-toe with those who have come before.

Amazon’s big-budget The Lord of the Rings show premieres later this year on September 2, 2022.

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