Two decades ago, Sean Astin ran into legendary filmmaker Jon Favreau — who costarred with him in Rudy — on a plane. At the time, Favreau, 58, was shooting what would become one of the most iconic Christmas movies of all time: Elf. Flash forward 21 years, and Astin, 53, is making his Broadway debut in the musical based on that movie.
“He looked tired on the plane. I remember saying, ‘How are you doing?’ And he was like, ‘Oh, I’m doing this thing, Elf,’ and I was like, ‘OK,’” Astin told Us Weekly exclusively at the opening night of Elf: The Musical at the Marquis Theatre on Sunday, November 17. “Then, 10 seconds later, it is an absolute staple in our house and in everyone’s house. We watch it twice a year.”
The musical originally opened on Broadway in 2010 with a brief revival from 2012 through 2013. After a highly successful run in the West End, Elf: The Musical returned to Broadway with Mean Girls alum Grey Henson at the helm, playing Buddy the Elf. In addition to Astin as Santa Claus, Kayla Davion holds a supporting role as Jovie, along with Ashley Brown as Emily, Kalen Allen as Store Manager and Michael Hayden as Walter.
His fated run-in with Favreau was not Astin’s only full-circle moment when it comes to the classic Christmas comedy.
“I feel like I was made for Christmas… my schmaltzy, hyper-emotional, family man vibe,” he added, noting that while he plays Santa in the musical he sees similarities between himself and the protagonist, Buddy the Elf.
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“I live my life with my heart on my sleeve. I don’t know how not to be like that. I think that’s what Christmas is. And that’s what Buddy is. His joy is bursting out of his skin,” Astin told Us. “I’ve, several times, said that, ‘This is actually my story. I am Buddy. I behave like Buddy.’”
The Lord of the Rings star added that he resonates with Buddy’s journey to find his biological father, as Astin himself learned at age 14 that while he had grown up calling John Astin “dad,” his biological father was actually Michael Tell.
“It’s magical. This place is magical,” Astin added about finding his way to Elf: The Musical.
As Astin embarks on this new chapter on Broadway, one of his other iconic projects, Stranger Things, is coming to a close.
Astin portrayed Bob Newby, a love interest of Winona Ryder’s Joyce Byers, in season 2 of the Netflix series — until his character’s untimely death at the end of the season.
“I was only supposed to last, like, two or three episodes,” Astin revealed. “When we started shooting it, the very first scene I’m in, Will and his brother are sitting on the bed, and he’s feeling like everyone is treating him badly, and I walk in. The audience doesn’t know anything about a stepdad in their life or anything, and the brothers say, ‘Do you want to be Billy Idol or do you want to be Kenny Rogers?’ and I walk in and I go, ‘Kenny Rogers? I love Kenny Rogers!’”
He continued: “When I said that, something went through me and it went through them… It was like, ‘Oh my gosh. [He’s] that spirit who can make Joyce happy.’”
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While his character’s arc concluded at the end of season 2, Stranger Things released a total of four seasons, with the fifth and final season expected next year.
“I’m proud of them. Good for them,” Astin said of the series concluding. “I think the kids are all grown ups now. It’s gonna be on Broadway!”
