Sean Astin can blend into the background when he wants to, but I spotted the 54-year-old actor's unmistakable smile and twinkling eyes that carried me through the Lord of the Rings trilogy inexplicably in the middle of CES 2026 Central Hall. He was surrounded by what I thought were fans of his many roles on TV and screen (LTR, Stranger Things, Goonies), but, as I approached, I saw an intense discussion and guessed it was all about AI.
Astin attended CES in his position as SAG-AFTRA President, along with a contingent of about 20 staff members, to suss out the current state of AI development and products and what that might mean for the organization's 160,000 members of actors, broadcasters, dancers, hosts, recording artists, stunt performers, and other creative professionals.
