Sean Astin Says His Daughters Elizabeth and Bella Convinced Him to Appear in Sabrina Carpenter's Christmas Special

Mar. 15, 2025

A Nonsense Christmas with Sabrina Carpenter. Sabrina Carpenter at the Sunset Gower Studios in Los Angeles, CA.Photo:Alfredo Flores/Netflix

Alfredo Flores/Netflix

WhenSean Astinwas deciding whether or not to appear inSabrina Carpenter’supcoming Christmas special, his daughters had a thing or two to say about it.TheLord of the Ringsalum, 53, appeared onThe Drew Barrymore Showand spoke about how he plays Santa in Carpenter’supcoming Netflix special. However, Astin says that he wavered at first when deciding whether he’d accept the role.When I was offered to do it, I was like doing something else,” Astin says, joking, “I’m always tired.“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.“And my daughters came in. And I think it was Elizabeth and Bella, the younger ones,” he recalls. “And Elizabeth was like, ‘Dad! Two things. Why are you trying to sabotage your career? And two, why are you trying to hurt my heart? Why wouldn’t you do this Sabrina Carpenter thing?’““And I’m like, ‘I don’t know!’ So we sat down. We watched all of her Instagram stuff, and she’s a genius. Her whole aesthetic, everything that she does.““So we did it and they’re like, ‘Dad, when she’s sitting on your lap, make sure your hand is up on her shoulder,'” he jokingly adds.Astin is dad to daughters Ali, 28, Elizabeth, 22, and Bella, 19, whom he shares with wife Christine Harrell.On Father’s Day, Astinshared a sweet throwback photo of himselfand his wife Harrell with their three daughters, posing together on a baseball diamond. In his caption, the girl dad took a moment to reflect on how much he loves his daughters.“Happy Father’s Day to all the wonderful dads out there! I’m so proud to be the dad of my three sweet girls❤️,” he wrote.

WhenSean Astinwas deciding whether or not to appear inSabrina Carpenter’supcoming Christmas special, his daughters had a thing or two to say about it.

TheLord of the Ringsalum, 53, appeared onThe Drew Barrymore Showand spoke about how he plays Santa in Carpenter’supcoming Netflix special. However, Astin says that he wavered at first when deciding whether he’d accept the role.

When I was offered to do it, I was like doing something else,” Astin says, joking, “I’m always tired.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

“And my daughters came in. And I think it was Elizabeth and Bella, the younger ones,” he recalls. “And Elizabeth was like, ‘Dad! Two things. Why are you trying to sabotage your career? And two, why are you trying to hurt my heart? Why wouldn’t you do this Sabrina Carpenter thing?’”

“And I’m like, ‘I don’t know!’ So we sat down. We watched all of her Instagram stuff, and she’s a genius. Her whole aesthetic, everything that she does.”

“So we did it and they’re like, ‘Dad, when she’s sitting on your lap, make sure your hand is up on her shoulder,'” he jokingly adds.

Astin is dad to daughters Ali, 28, Elizabeth, 22, and Bella, 19, whom he shares with wife Christine Harrell.

On Father’s Day, Astinshared a sweet throwback photo of himselfand his wife Harrell with their three daughters, posing together on a baseball diamond. In his caption, the girl dad took a moment to reflect on how much he loves his daughters.

“Happy Father’s Day to all the wonderful dads out there! I’m so proud to be the dad of my three sweet girls❤️,” he wrote.

source: people.com