Well that’s just not true, but thankfully in this case it was. Wizard World events can be maddening sometimes because when they offer pricey photo ops, you never really know going into it whether you can get around said professional photo ops and just snap a picture at the table for a lesser fee. Sometimes you can, sometimes you can’t. I definitely wanted a photo with Sean Astin, no question. He’s the son of Patty Duke, and adopted son John Astin, ‘possibly’ the real son of Desi Arnaz Jr., but most likely a third guy altogether as evidence by a genetics test. But really all of that is just interesting; Sean on his own did some pretty remarkable acting on his own over the years.
I guess I’d have to say that The Goonies was my primary motivation for wanting to meet Sean, but I’m sure that in terms of quality, critique, and gross budges the trilogy of The Lord of the Rings has far surpassed the fun 80’s factor of The Goonies. Other neat film appearances include The War of the Roses, Rudy, Bulworth, and 50 First Dates, plus TV appearances in My Name Is Earl, Monk, 24, Law & Order, and a directorial credit in the Buffy spin-off Angel.
When Astin appeared at the Louisville Wizard World on March 28, 2014, like always I approached the show handler first to see if he was doing photos at the table, to which I received a resounding and disappointing ‘no’. I had seen him roaming around, standing just a couple feet from me earlier during the show that Friday evening, but I didn’t want to breach etiquette by asking him for a photo while he was away from his table. Now I had changed my mind. I remained in the line despite the face that I had nothing for him to sign.
Carolyn and I got up to him and he greeted us in a friendly manner and asked what he could do for me. I told him that I was just hoping to get a photo with him, and said simply ‘Oh go ahead. Just make it quick or I’ll get yelled at.” Carolyn snapped the picture, and then we rushed to switch places, at which point I found that my memory card was full. As I fumbled to get a shot with her in it, he said in a friendly manner “you’re killing me!” and then commented “I should have gotten her picture first.” Yes, I thought of that too, which is why I always do mine first. They’re less likely to refuse hers than mine considering she’s much prettier.
It wasn’t exactly the kind of photo I like, the over-the-table shot, but beggars can’t be choosers. At least we’re both looking at the camera. And it was free instead of $40. Come to think of it, that’s exactly the kind of photo I like!
Not all Goonies are free (hear that Corey Feldman?), but this one was, so as far as I’m concerned I hope he never dies.
Celebrities of the 2014 Louisville Wizard World will continue…
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