Constantly being mistaken as a member of the famed Astin Hollywood family is both “the bane” of Skylar Astin’s existence and a great honor — and the Pitch Perfect alum finally had the chance to take a picture with a member of the clan a few years back.
“When Stranger Things was out with Sean Astin, [I saw him] in New York and I was like, ‘I have to do it,’ because everyone asks me if we’re related,” Skylar, 37, reveals in his Just Like Us feature in the latest issue of Us Weekly, on newsstands now. “I’m sure no one asks him if we’re related but I was like, ‘You probably don’t know me. We have the same last name. I just have to get a picture with you.’ And he was such a sweetheart about it.”
While he shares a moniker with Sean, 54, whose parents Patty Duke and John Astin are bona fide legends in the entertainment industry, Skylar was raised in New York City by parents Meryl and Barry Lipstein. (Born Lipstein, Skylar uses his middle name, Astin, professionally.)
“I would say [the comparisons are] the bane of my existence, but it’s also an honor to be compared to him and his legendary family,” Skylar told Us last month ahead of Skate For LA Strong, a celebration to support fire recovery efforts in Los Angeles. “But I always disappoint people when I’m like, ‘No, no one’s in the industry.’ I’m just kind of a homegrown actor over here.”
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Skylar competed with some other Hollywood legends, including Will Ferrell and Vince Vaughn, in the first responders hockey game on February 23.
“I had to evacuate from the fires and I know so many people affected,” Skylar told Us of his reasons for participating. “I’ve never felt such a strong sense of community with my friends and the people I’ve worked with here. So when the Kings organization asked me to strap on skates — for the first time, by the way — I figured if I’m going to make a fool out of myself, at least I’m going to do it for a good cause.”
Keep scrolling for more fun anecdotes from Skylar as we put him to the test to find out how just like Us he is:
Us: When was the last time you did laundry?
Skylar: The last time I did laundry was two days ago. I did sheets and pillow cases.
Us: What was the last thing you waited in line for?
Skylar: Drinks at intermission of a show at Hollywood Pantages [Theatre].
Us: What was the last thing you ordered online?
Skylar: I ordered Valentine’s Day roses for my mom. She just got done with surgery, so I made her day with that. Everything’s good [now], and she was very happy to have the flowers.
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Us: Are there any tasks or errands that you keep procrastinating?
Skylar: All of them. I’m the worst. I need to get new doctors since I’ve moved. I’ve been putzing around with urgent care and whatever, and I think it’s time to set myself up and commit.
Us: Do you have a DoorDash go-to or a dinner you eat when no one’s watching?
Skylar: I really love Sugarfish sushi. It’s really easy and easy [to] cleanup because it comes in a box and when you’re done, you just throw it right out. It’s very simple and [there’s] not a lot of styrofoam. I’m so lazy. Sometimes I’ll DoorDash in from CVS or a pharmacy and get household items I need like toilet paper.
Us: Do you ever go to Costco?
Skylar: I love Costco. Costco lowkey has such a good shrimp cocktail situation that I love. It’s really good and a big party size, of course. I’m a big fan of Costco. I always get a little overwhelmed and I’m like, “Do I need a new TV?” But then I always end up getting shrimp and then some random household item that I need.
Us: Who is the last famous person you asked for a selfie with?
Skylar: This was so many years ago now, but when Stranger Things was out with Sean Astin [I saw him] in New York and I was like, “I have to do it,” because everyone asks me if we’re related. I’m sure no one asks him if we’re related but I was like, “You probably don’t know me. We have the same last name. I just have to get a picture with you.” And he was such a sweetheart about it. I would say it’s the bane of my existence, but it’s also an honor to be compared to him and his legendary family. But I always disappoint people when I’m like, “No, no one’s in the industry.” I’m just kind of a homegrown actor over here.
Us: Do you remember what your first job was and what you got paid?
Skylar: I was a deli boy at a grocery store, and I got paid minimum wage, whatever it was back then. And then I worked at Hollister for a similar wage, and then I got almost double working as a telemarketer for a mortgage company. It was very cutthroat, but all the high school kids did it because we felt like we were in the movie Boiler Room and we were just getting information from people.
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Us: Do you remember your first job in the entertainment industry?
Skylar: I did a stage reading of a play called The Me Nobody Knows, which was my first professional gig. And I was with actual Broadway performers that I had seen on stage doing a reading of a new musical and it was thrilling.
Us: Are there any trends right now that you’re super sick of?
Skylar: There’s new sunglasses that a lot of gals are wearing that I don’t quite understand. They’re, like, sideways and oval and I think it’s probably because a lot of the trendsetters wear them, and it feels like one of those trends where everyone’s wearing it, but maybe I’m missing out. Maybe it is cool and it’s just not my style, but it seems almost like they’re not intentionally trying to look good. But hey, maybe catch me in a year when I get hip to it and I’ll have a pair.
Us: Do you have a favorite song to sing in the shower?
Skylar: “Lean on Me” by Bill Withers is always easy because it’s just slow and in the pocket. It’s really whatever’s in my head. I also sometimes like to bring a waterproof speaker in the shower, and so I just sing along to whatever I’m listening to. My go-to is honestly my warm up. When I’m singing for something, I always warm up in the shower. So if I have a roommate or I’m living with someone, they unfortunately have to hear a lot of what sounds like bird sounds coming from the shower.
Us: Do you have a karaoke song that is your go-to?
Skylar: I love Billy Joel. I love a good group song. I love “Wannabe” from the Spice Girls or a rap song that everybody knows the lyrics to. But if I know I need to do something that I know most of the words to, I’ll do some sort of boy band like ‘NSync or Backstreet Boys.
Us: Who was the last person you texted?
Skylar: I texted the equipment manager here at the L.A. Kings facility to see if he was outside because I had to get suited up to practice.
Us: What is the last thing you streamed?
Skylar: I love Severance. I’m a huge fan of that show. I’m obsessed. I’m actually behind an episode. Sometimes I do that to myself — if I can stay away from spoilers, then I can watch two on a Friday if I can. So I’m going to do that this week. [Ben Stiller] is the best, and he’s a Knicks fan.
