Exclusive! First images from "Ribbit"

A few months ago, I exclusively reported that Sean had done voiceover work for an animated film called "Ribbit." Sean portrays the title role of a frog in the Amazon rainforest who suffers from an identity crisis. The voice talents of Tim Curry as Terence and Russell Peters as Deepak are also featured.

I can now reveal the first images from the movie, thanks to Chuck Powers, director and writer of the film!

Sean as Ribbit and Russell Peters as vampire bat Deepak.
Yes, this is a vampire movie! ;-)

"Sean gives a performance of amazing range! Subtle, funny, vulnerable… A perfect leading frog!"
—Director and Writer, Chuck Powers

Many thanks to Chuck for the images!

Want Sean Astin to follow you on Twitter?

Sean is trying to encourage people to follow @waterkeeper, a nonprofit organization which aspires to protect every major watershed and provide fishable, swimmable and drinkable waterways worldwide.

He has promised to follow anyone who follows @waterkeeper between now and midnight New Year's Eve (time zone not specified) and lets him know. His tweet:

Read more about Waterkeeper Alliance.

NOTE: Sean's new Twitter name is @SeanAstin.

Witches of Oz to see US theatrical release

According to Dread Central, the newly renamed "Dorothy and the Witches of Oz" will have a limited theatrical release in the US this February.

The movie, which originally aired as a two-part miniseries in much of Europe, has been edited to theatrical length and had its special effects upgraded for the US market. Set in modern day New York City, Witches is a sequel to L. Frank Baum's stories (not to the 1939 movie), in which Dorothy, played by Paulie Rojas, struggles to remember her long ago past. It features Christopher Lloyd as the Wizard of Oz, Billy Boyd as Dorothy's love interest, and Sean Astin is a small but funny role as the tiny sprite, Frack.

Sean Astin as the sprite Frack

A new trailer is expected to be released shortly.

Sean plans marathon and half marathon

Sean already has running plans beyond the 2012 LA Marathon on March 18. He has signed up for the inaugural Hollywood Half Marathon on April 7. This 13.1 mile race will begin and end at Universal Studios and will pass such iconic locations as the Hollywood Bowl, Hollywood & Highland, Grauman's Chinese Theater and the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Participants are encouraged to dress as their favorite celebrity. Wonder who Sean will go as… :-)

Sean will get this medal for finishing the course.

Press release here.

We expect to have an exclusive report on Sean and running in the next couple of weeks!

Sean Astin volunteers at Operation Gratitude

Sean worked with other volunteers at Operation Gratitude in Van Nuys, CA, today, helping to assemble care packages for troops serving in hostile areas, their children left behind, and wounded warriors recuperating in transition units. Today, the non-profit organization expected to ship their 750,000th package since their formation in 2003.

With Ricky Paull Goldin, 750,000th care package recipient Sgt. Eric Rodriguez and friends. Photo tweeted by Sean.

CBS Sunday Morning did a story on Operation Gratitude on December 11. Do watch the video; it shows how one person can indeed make a difference.

Learn more about Operation Gratitude and how you can help on their website and Facebook page. You can also follow them on Twitter.

Anna Pearce, aka Patty Duke, on Twitter

At the urging of her son, who has become a Twitter addict, Anna Pearce, better known as Patty Duke, has joined Twitter. Sean has vowed to get her 1,000 followers by Christmas. Follow her here!

Official Santa to the Sea race photos

The official race photos for the Santa to the Sea half marathon held Sunday, December 11, are posted here. Sean's bib number is 0252.

Sean wins Best Actor award at NYII Film & Video Festival

Sean won a Best Actor award for his performance as the Father in Clay Beabout's "Deep Blue Breath" at the New York International Independent Film and Video Festival last month. The film itself also won Best Short Film.

Deep Blue Breath has been shown at over 20 film festivals around the country, and has also won a Best Young Actor award for Clay at the Action on Film Festival, Best Short Film at the Independent's Film Festival, and Best Creative Media Film at the Poppy Jasper Film Festival.

In 2009, both Sean Astin and Elijah Wood worked with the Make a Film Foundation to help then 11-year old Clay with his film. MAFF teams film industry professionals with children who have been diagnosed with critical or life-threatening medical conditions in order to help them create short film legacies. More info on Sean's and Elijah's roles, and on how to get the movie and help MAFF are here.

You can like MAFF on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

Sean Astin and Clay Beabout

Santa to the Sea & Byron Goodloe race photos

These photos of Sean at the finish line of the Santa to the Sea half marathon December 11 are courtesy of Gouki Cookie. Official race photos should be available tomorrow.

Sean applauds the finisher just ahead of him.

Official Santa to the Sea race results

Sean's official chip time was 2:03:17, for a 529th place finish among 1,140 runners who finished the half marathon. Source

Sean with fans before the race. Source

After the race with fans. Source

Interview with Sean following half marathon

Sean did a brief interview with KADY TV following the Santa to the Sea half marathon in Oxnard today. Sean's interview is at the beginning.



Following the race, Sean tweeted a pic of his swag:

Sean runs Santa to the Sea half marathon

Sean Astin ran the Santa to the Sea half marathon in an unofficial time of 2:03:24. Congratulations to him!

Thanks to Hildigard Brown for creating the card for me!

Sizzle promo for "Napa"

Filming of Napa starts in January, starring Rose McGowan, Sean Astin, Jonathan Schaech, Taryn Manning and Kevin Pollack.

Sean to run half marathon

After running a 10K race on November 13 and a 15K race on December 3, Sean is scheduled to run in the Santa to the Sea half marathon in Oxnard, CA on Sunday, December 11 at 8am PT.

A half marathon is 13.1 miles or about 21K. Sean is training for the LA Marathon March 18, 2012.

Sean films comedy short today!

Sean filmed a comedy short today in which he plays a plastic surgeon. From the description on costar Shelly Martinez's blog, sounds like he may not always be successful! :-O



Shelly will talk about her experience tomorrow (Thursday, December 8) on Fun Time Radio w the Martinez Girlz at 5 PM ET, 2 PM PT.

Make sure you check out the photos on Shelly's blog!

Full Empire hobbit interview online!

And it includes some new photos by Sarah Dunn of our favorite foursome!

Full interview here

Sean to attend Night of 100 Stars!

Sean is scheduled to be one of almost 200 guests at the conservatively named "Night of 100 Stars," an Oscar night black tie celebrity party held at the Beverly Hills Hotel, February 26, 2012.

Full list of expected attendees

Official race results for Goodloe Byron 15k

Sean came in 33rd in a field of 59. See full results here.

Official program from John Astin event

Click on each image for larger versions.

Ceremony honoring John Astin

In recognition of ten years developing and leading the Theatre Arts and Studies program at Johns Hopkins University, the theatre of the newly renovated Merrick Barn was renamed the "John Astin Theatre" on Saturday.

The ceremony was emceed by close family friend, Ed Asner, who used the opportunity to make good-humored jokes at the expense of John and his sons, Sean and Mackenzie. JHU President Ronald Daniels and Arts & Sciences Dean Katherine Newman made remarks and presented a plaque to John, and students performed two short humorous skits, followed by a reception.

My daughter Joy and her boyfriend Devin were fortunate to attend the event and provide photos of the dignitaries. :-D

Devin, Sean and Joy

Joy, Mackenzie and Devin

Sean

Joy and honoree John Astin

Joy gets an honor of her own from Ed Asner!

Many thanks to Jennifer Astin for assistance with photos. Further photos should be available later, so stay tuned! :-)

Sean and Mack to attend celebration for dad John Astin

Sean and Mackenzie Astin will be attending a celebration today honoring their father John Astin's tens years as director of the Undergraduate Program in Theatre Arts & Studies at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD.

John Astin

Fellow actor and close friend Ed Asner will emcee the event, which will feature an unveiling of the newly renovated historic Merrick Barn, home for the program and student performances.

Congratulations to John and his sons!

Press release