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Actor Sean Astin — aka ‘Samwise,’ ‘Rudy’ — will be a keynote speaker at RootsTech 2023

Astin’s keynote address is scheduled to take place at the RootsTech general session on Saturday, March 4

Award-winning actor Sean Astin, known for his roles in “The Lord of the Rings,” “The Goonies,” “Rudy” and many other films, will be a keynote speaker at RootsTech 2023, FamilySearch announced Tuesday, Feb. 21, in a blog post.

Astin’s keynote address is scheduled to take place at the RootsTech general session on Saturday, March 4, at 11 a.m. MST.

RootsTech, the largest global family history gathering in the world, is set for March 2-4 and will be available both online and in-person at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Astin will be a valuable addition to the keynote lineup, said Jen Allen, director of events at FamilySearch.

“Sean Astin unites generations,” Allen said in a FamilySearch news release. “My mother is just as excited as my teenagers to see him at RootsTech 2023.”

“Sean has a rich history in the film industry, and as we’ve seen his characters come to life on screen, we look forward to getting to know the man behind all the characters we have come to love,” said Jonathan Wing, RootsTech creative manager.

Actor Sean Astin has been announced as a keynote speaker at RootsTech on March 4, 2023.
Actor Sean Astin has been announced as a keynote speaker at RootsTech on March 4, 2023. | Provided by FamilySearch

Who is Sean Astin?

Actor Sean Astin as “Sam” in “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.”
Actor Sean Astin as “Sam” in “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.” Astin has been announced as a keynote speaker at RootsTech 2023. | Pierre Vinet, New Line Productions
  • Some of Astin’s most memorable roles include Samwise Gamgee in “The Lord of the Rings”; Mikey Walsh in “The Goonies”; and Daniel E. “Rudy” Ruettiger in “Rudy.”
  • Astin’s motto is, “People will root for anyone who shows them their heart,” the blog post said.
Actor Sean Astin (65) in the film “Rudy.” Astin will be a keynote speaker at RootsTech 2023.
Actor Sean Astin (65) in the film “Rudy.” Astin will be a keynote speaker at RootsTech 2023. | Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Other keynote speakers at RootsTech 2023

Astin joins a list of other prominent keynote speakers coming to RootsTech.

Learn more about RootsTech 2023 at RootsTech.org.

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