Sean Astin is well known for his roles in "Lord of the Rings," "Goonies," and most recently, "Mom's Night Out." But what many viewers don't know about Astin is that after experimenting with multiple religions including Buddhism, he now proclaims himself to be a proud follower of Jesus Christ.
While Astin says his faith in Christ is now strong, the road to Christianity was a long one.
Raised in a secular home by his mother, actress Patty Duke, and father, "The Addams Family's" John Astin, Astin was exposed to a variety of religions at a young age.
"My mother was a Catholic who had been kicked out of the church at one time and she put me in Catholic school in sixth to eighth grades and I wanted to become a Catholic then," he told FOX411. "But my father, who was an atheist because his parents were a scientist and school teacher, later discovered Buddhism."
However, in 2003, Astin decided to "embrace Christianity" and develop his own "relationship and understanding with God."
While the actor is serious about his faith, he is still able to poke fun at himself.
"I figure since I went to Catholic school for three years and my mom did some really good Catholic type work, and since I starred in 'Rudy' and I was in 'Lord of the Rings,' I figure if I get to [heaven] and St. Peter is taking numbers, I might have to wait a little while, but I'll probably get let through," he stated.
Astin currently stars alongside "Grey's Anatomy's Sarah Drew in the faith-based film "Mom's Night Out." However, he says he didn't choose the film because of its Christian message; rather, he chose it for its artistic value.
"What's funny is the idea that I might become a paragon of Christian filmmaking because I've done two Christian films," he said. "I'm just not going to not make films because Christians are making them if they're good films."
Although Astin is not afraid to proclaim his faith, he says he does not believe every film which he takes part in must possess a blatantly Christian message.
"I don't think my faith has had a conscious part in decisions in terms of what movies I make," he said. "I won't do something if I feel it has zero moral redemption. I answer to a truly higher power than I'm capable of understanding and I don't go by what other people would determine as a legitimate Christian offering or not."
However, Astin hopes that "Mom's Night Out" viewers will be able to enjoy the film regardless of their religious affiliation.
"This sweet premise of moms, whose evening has gone bad and dads who are struggling to kind of make things go right, this movie chooses to let it sink at certain moments and let us reflect for a minute."
Watch Mom's Night Out cast video with Sean Astin below:
