'It has to be a lonely painful experience': Sean Astin talks about Corey Feldman's child abuse claims as he praises Elijah Wood for showing his support and 'starting the conversation'

By Karishma Sarkari for Daily Mail Australia

Published: 11:29 EST, 7 June 2016 | Updated: 16:46 EST, 7 June 2016

Sean Astin grew up in Hollywood with the late Patty Duke, his actress mother.

Now, the 45-year-old has reflected on his time as a child star, amid claims of child abuse in Hollywood from his friend and former Goonies co-star, Corey Feldman.

The actor spoke to The Daily Telegraph, in an interview published on Wednesday, and admitted his family were quite protective of him in his younger years and sensed Corey was unhappy but wasn't aware of his issues.

'It has to be a lonely painful experience going through that': Sean Astin (pictured) has spoken about his time as a child star, amid claims of child abuse in Hollywood from his friend and former co-star, Corey Feldman

'It has to be a lonely painful experience going through that': Sean Astin (pictured) has spoken about his time as a child star, amid claims of child abuse in Hollywood from his friend and former co-star, Corey Feldman

'I didn't know about sexual abuse with him but you could see that he was suffering and it is a helpless feeling not knowing what one can do to help.

'It has to be a lonely painful experience going through that,' Sean told the publication about his now 44-year-old friend.

Sean made the comments in an interview while promoting his upcoming appearance at Supernova Pop Culture Expo at Sydney Showground next week. 

The actor, who played Samwise Gamgee in the Lord Of The Rings trilogy, also defended his former co-star Elijah Wood - another child star who spoke out recently on the issue.

'You could see that he was suffering': The former Goonies star said he didn't know what was going on in his friend's life but could tell something wasn't quite right

'You could see that he was suffering': The former Goonies star said he didn't know what was going on in his friend's life but could tell something wasn't quite right

'It is a helpless feeling': The now 45-year-old actor (right) said he felt helpless not knowing how to help his friend (left), now 44 years of age

'It is a helpless feeling': The now 45-year-old actor (right) said he felt helpless not knowing how to help his friend (left), now 44 years of age

The 35-year-old, who played Frodo Baggins in the Peter Jackson directed series, sent shockwaves through the world last month when he was quoted by UK's The Sunday Times saying that child abuse is rife in Tinseltown - and is 'probably still happening'.

However, the actors later took to social media to express he had been miss-quoted in an interview with the publication and was just talking about a documentary he had seen on the issue.

But Sean still praises his former co-star for weighing into the debate, saying:'It is really important to remember that human beings need support so I appreciate that Elijah with such force shared his opinion, 

'I am proud of my friend': Sean also referenced his former Lord Of The Rings co-star Elijah Woods for speaking out in support of Corey and other child stars claiming to have suffered abuse

'I am proud of my friend': Sean also referenced his former Lord Of The Rings co-star Elijah Woods for speaking out in support of Corey and other child stars claiming to have suffered abuse

'It kick started a conversation': Even though Elijah claims his comments were taken out of context, Sean says he is happy it got people thinking and talking about the issue

'It kick started a conversation': Even though Elijah claims his comments were taken out of context, Sean says he is happy it got people thinking and talking about the issue

'It kick started a conversation so I am proud of my friend,' he added.

Elijah took to Twitter two weeks ago, posting a statement insisting his words were off-the-cuff comments taken out of context.

Across five tweets, he wrote: 'The Sunday Times interviewed me about my latest film but the story became about something else entirely.

'It prompted a number of false and misleading headlines. 

'It prompted misleading headlines': Elijah, best known for playing Frodo Baggins in the Lord Of The Rings trilogy, to to Twitter to clarify his comments about child abuse in Hollywood, which were printed in an interview with The Sunday Times last month

'It prompted misleading headlines': Elijah, best known for playing Frodo Baggins in the Lord Of The Rings trilogy, to to Twitter to clarify his comments about child abuse in Hollywood, which were printed in an interview with The Sunday Times last month

'I had just seen a powerful documentary and I briefly spoke with the reporter about the subject which had consequences I did not intend or expect. Lesson learned. 

'Let me be clear: This subject of child abuse is an important one that should be discussed and properly investigated. 

'But as I made absolutely clear to the writer, I have no first hand experience or observation of the topic, so I cannot speak with any authority beyond articles I have read and films I have seen.'

Coming to Australia: Sean made the comments in an interview published on Wednesday, while promoting his upcoming appearance at Supernova Pop Culture Expo at Sydney Showground next week

Coming to Australia: Sean made the comments in an interview published on Wednesday, while promoting his upcoming appearance at Supernova Pop Culture Expo at Sydney Showground next week

 

 

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