Back in 2012, after the ruse of John and Sean Astin related to Skylar Astin went viral, the So Help Me Todd actor took to his Twitter with a sarcastic response.
Skylar tweeted, “To clear up the confusion: Sean Astin is my brother and every thanksgiving when he comes to the house we do the Rudy slow clap #jokes”
To clear up the confusion: Sean Astin is my brother and every thanksgiving when he comes to the house we do the Rudy slow clap #jokes
— Skylar Astin (@SkylarAstin) August 20, 2012
Though it obviously is a joke, some people took it literally and thought Skylar, indeed, is Sean Astin’s brother. Moreover, given the same surname, it makes sense innocent fans fell for his joke.
Despite the same surname, Skylar Astin and Sean Astin have a distinct family tree!
Jokes apart, American actors Skylar and Sean Astin are not related to each other despite their same surname.
When Skylar was rising to fame for his portrayal of Jesse Swanson in Pitch Perfect, many thought he was the son of legendary actor John Astin, given the same surname.
However, it turns out Skylar was not using his full name, Skylar Astin Lipstein, and had chosen to use his middle name as a stage name.
Today I Googled: "Is Skylar Astin related to Sean Astin?" No, no he's not. pic.twitter.com/v2pC8zIfNV
— Stephanie Ogilvie (@smogilvie) July 7, 2015
Despite that, it did not negate the rumors that he was related to John or Sean Astin. So, let us check their family tree to clear up the debate once and for all.
The Pitch Perfect star, Skylar, was born on September 23, 1987, to his parents, Meryl and Barry Lipstein.
Born in New York, he grew up in Rockland County alongside three siblings: Brothers Jace and Milan and a sister, Brielle.
Skylar got married in 2016 to Anna Camp, but the couple divorced after three years of marriage.
On the other hand, the Samwise Gamgee actor Sean Astin was born on February 25, 1971, to his parents, Michael Tell and Patty Duke.
Sean Astin (Goonies, LoTR, Stranger Things) and his wife Christine Harrell, on their wedding day, in 1993. They are still married. #oldisgold pic.twitter.com/PXi8BYtTc4
— fuchsia (@mysticalodds) September 27, 2022
However, Sean grew up thinking John Astin was his biological father until he learned he was not in 2001 via a DNA test. Regardless, Sean still considers John, his father. He has five siblings: Mackenzie, Tom, Allen, David Astin, and Kevin Pearce.
Sean married Christine Harrell on July 11, 1992. They now have three children: Ali, Isabella Louise, and Elizabeth Louise Astin. So, it is clear that Skylar is not Sean Astin’s son!
Furthermore, they share an entirely different family tree with no overlapping to suggest they are biologically related.
Additional Information
- ‘The Addams Family’ actor John Astin adopted Sean when he was three years old.
- As per various sources online, Skylar’s agent chose his middle name, Astin, as his stage name when he was fifteen.
