Biography
Date of Birth
12 December 1973, Los Angeles, California, USA
Birth Name
Mackenzie Alexander Astin
Nickname
Mack
Height
5' 10" (1.78 m)
Trivia
Younger half-brother of actor Sean Astin.
Son of Patty Duke and John Astin.
Was accepted to Johns Hopkins University, but did not enroll.
Brother-in-law of producer Christine Astin.
Uncle of actress Ali Astin, Elizabeth Louise Astin and Isabella Louise Astin.
Dominic Monaghan was his roommate for a while. Mackenzie later made a guest appearance on Dominic's TV show, Lost (2004).
Nephew of Ray Duke.
Has three other half brothers: David, Allen and Tom
Lost the top part of his right ear in a car accident.
Writes, makes and stars in his own Super 8 films.
He is of English, Irish, Scottish, and German descent.
He and his brother, Sean Astin, both guest-starred in Season 9 of NCIS (2003). Mackenzie was in the episode, NCIS: Life Before His Eyes (2012), and Sean was in NCIS: The Tell (2012).
Quotes
There was a period when I became disillusioned with the politics of what goes on in show business. My mom had missed a lot of her childhood, so I figured it would be a good time to hang up my acting shoes . . . I was probably reading too much J.D. Salinger at the time.
Guns are evil! And very little good comes from the availability of a bullet designed to kill human beings!
When I am working it is up early and coffee and 15 hours of being on the set. When I am not working, it is up late and coffee, golf or softball and hopefully a ball game on the television.
There is a healthy fraternal rivalry, but nothing serious and we both have been looking for a project to do together. I guess he may direct me in a project some day.
And it is easy to believe you are not good enough if you listen to everybody else.
It is tough to say what has influenced me the most because I know that Mozart makes me think better, but you cannot beat Dave Matthews for feeling good!
I haven't gone to college yet and I intend to in a few years.
I think I would have a better time writing films rather than directing.
I started at the age of 8 and have been lucky to be still working.
Have you noticed how most directors are either bald or grey-haired?
I technically have two last names, which is a lot of fun when you're making airline reservations.
If I couldn't broadcast baseball games, I think I would make a good impression on people.
There are a couple of teachers I have had without whose influence I would not be as happy with who I am.
I used to get some flack from my agents because I wouldn't even audition for parts where the hero uses violent force to be a hero.
It is important to make the fans that support me feel supported.
You never get every job you want.
When I was eight years old I went to visit my brother who was working on a movie of the week with my mother and I saw how much fun he was having and I decided I wanted to try it too.
I still have not given up the idea of becoming a journalist, but at 17 I decided to follow my heart and stay in Los Angeles with my girlfriend as opposed to going to Johns Hopkins.