Many people know Christine Harrell as Sean Astin’s wife, but she has built her own successful career in the film industry. From winning beauty pageants in Indiana to producing Oscar-nominated films in Hollywood, her story shows that success comes in many forms.
Personal Info
| Full Name | Christine Louise Harrell |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | September 12, 1967 |
| Age | 57 years old (as of 2025) |
| Birthplace | LaPorte, Indiana, USA |
| Profession | Film Producer, Former Model |
| Famous For | Wife of Sean Astin, Academy Award Nominated Producer |
| Education | UCLA (B.A. in History and English Literature) |
| Spouse | Sean Astin (married 1992) |
| Children | Three daughters: Ali, Elizabeth, and Isabella |
| Notable Work | Kangaroo Court (1994), Vice President of Lava Entertainment |
Early Life and Education
Christine Louise Harrell was born on September 12, 1967, in LaPorte, Indiana. Her father Frank was a firefighter, and her mother is Nancy Miller.
Christine started modeling as a young girl. At 17, she won Miss Teen Indiana in 1984. She attended Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, then graduated from UCLA with two Bachelor’s degrees in History and English American Literature and Culture.
Starting a Career in Hollywood
After college, Christine moved to Los Angeles and worked at Special Artists Agency as an assistant to CEO Elizabeth Dalling. This job taught her about the entertainment business and helped her meet important industry people.
How She Met Sean Astin
Christine met Sean Astin in the late 1980s when they first spoke on the phone. She was arranging his work meetings while he was in Tokyo. Sean fell in love with her voice before meeting her.
They met in person in January 1991 and quickly fell in love. Sean was 19 when they got engaged. They married on July 11, 1992, at Sean’s mother’s farm in Idaho. Their marriage has now lasted over 30 years.
Building Her Own Career
Christine worked hard on her own career in Hollywood. In 1994, she and Sean produced a short film called “Kangaroo Court.” In 1995, it received an Academy Award nomination for Best Live Action Short Film – a huge achievement.
Christine also became Vice President and CFO of Lava Entertainment, a production company she runs with Sean.
Supporting Sean During Lord of the Rings
When Sean got the role of Samwise Gamgee in “The Lord of the Rings,” the family moved to New Zealand for filming. At first, the producers offered little money. Sean wasn’t sure about accepting, but Christine encouraged him. She believed in the project, and she was right – the movies became huge hits.
Christine didn’t just stay home. She took a philosophy class and got an apprenticeship in the editing room. Sean loved visiting her at work because actors usually don’t see the editing process.
Being a Mother of Three
Christine and Sean have three daughters, all sharing the middle name Louise.
Alexandra (Ali) Astin was born November 27, 1996. She acted in “The Lord of the Rings” as a child, went to Harvard University, and now works as a creative executive, singer, and professor.
Elizabeth Louise Astin was born August 6, 2002. She studied Art History and Film at Pepperdine University and was in Girl Scouts for 12 years.
Isabella Louise Astin was born July 22, 2005, a month early but healthy. She graduated high school in 2023.
Christine gave her daughters a normal childhood and taught them about education, kindness, and helping others.
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Personal Challenges
Christine’s father struggled with manic depression and business difficulties. He died by suicide in the mid-1990s, which was very painful for her family.
This experience made Christine understanding about mental health. She supports Sean, who deals with anxiety. Sean says that while he worries constantly, Christine stays positive and believes in people’s goodness.
Community Work and Values
Christine prefers to live quietly despite being married to a famous actor. She focuses on work, family, and community service. She has worked with the Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles and helped with city beautification projects.
A Strong Marriage
Sean and Christine’s marriage has lasted over 30 years – remarkable for Hollywood. Their relationship works because they support each other as a team.
Sean credits Christine as the reason for his success. She gave him advice, created a stable home, and worked with him on projects. Christine has also achieved her own success as a producer and business leader.
In 2003, Sean made a joke about a “prenuptial agreement” in a magazine interview that hurt Christine. He apologized publicly on “The View,” and she forgave him, showing their relationship’s strength.
Her Legacy
Christine Harrell is more than a celebrity’s wife. She’s a former beauty queen turned respected film producer, a mother of three successful daughters, and a woman who stayed strong through personal tragedies.
Her journey from small-town Indiana to Hollywood shows that success takes hard work and dedication. She built her own career while supporting her husband, proving you can have both professional success and a happy family.
Today, Christine continues working through Lava Entertainment. Her story reminds us that important achievements often happen behind the scenes. She shows that strength, kindness, and hard work create a meaningful life anywhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How old is Christine Harrell?
Christine Harrell was born on September 12, 1967. She is 57 years old as of 2025.
2. How did Christine Harrell meet Sean Astin?
They first spoke on the phone in the late 1980s when Christine was working at a talent agency. They met in person in January 1991 and got married in 1992.
3. How many children do Christine and Sean have?
They have three daughters: Alexandra (Ali) born in 1996, Elizabeth born in 2002, and Isabella born in 2005.
4. What is Christine Harrell’s job?
Christine is a film producer and Vice President of Lava Entertainment. She was nominated for an Academy Award for producing “Kangaroo Court.”
5. How long have Christine and Sean been married?
They got married on July 11, 1992, and have been together for more than 30 years.
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