Q and A: Week of March 22

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Q and A: Week of March 22

Q: I would like to know if Sean Astin, who narrated “Meerkat Manor,” is Sally Field’s son. — Edith P., Warner Robins, Ga.

A: Sean Astin, also of “Goonies” and “Lord of the Rings” fame, is the son of a famous actress; however, it is not Sally Field. Patty Duke is Sean’s mom, and his father is Michael Tell, to whom Patty was married for less than a month before getting the marriage annulled. His stepfather, actor John Astin (Gomez of “The Addams Family”) adopted Sean and brought him up as his own.

Sean — a husband and father of three — is busy directing, acting and doing voice-over work. He is currently working on the animated feature “Cat Tale,” starring as a cat named Rover, along with the vocal talents of Stanley Tucci, Elisha Cuthbert, Catherine O’Hara, David Cross, Fred Willard and a whole slew of other A-listers.

Q: I really like “The Deep End” on ABC. The redheaded legal secretary looks a lot like Victoria, the vampire from “Twilight.” Is it the same person? And will the show be back? — Crystal G. in Michigan

A: That is indeed Rachelle Lefevre playing Katie Campbell. She also plays Victoria in “Twilight” and “New Moon.” Due to misunderstandings and scheduling conflicts, Rachelle was replaced by Bryce Dallas Howard in “Eclipse,” the third installment of “The Twilight Saga.” ABC has not yet made a decision on whether “The Deep End” will be renewed. For now, all five episodes can be found on ABC.com.

Q: I was a faithful viewer of “Deadwood,” and I wonder what its star, Ian McShane (pictured), is doing now. — Henry F., via e-mail

A: Ian McShane is all set to play Blackbeard in “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.” He joins Johnny Depp, who returns for the fourth time as the lovable pirate, Jack Sparrow, as they face off against each other in their quest to locate the Fountain of Youth. Penelope Cruz also is ready to set sail. Shooting will begin this summer, and the film is scheduled for release in May 2011. Do I smell summer blockbuster?

Q: I have been a fan of Jan-Michael Vincent for many years. Can you give me a little history on him? — Sandy L., Oatman, Ariz.

A: In the 1970s and ’80s, Jan-Michael Vincent, now 65, was the go-to man for good-looking, square-jawed protagonists. His career reached its pinnacle during the 1980s with his starring role on TV’s “Airwolf.” In 1996, he was involved in a very serious car accident in which his neck was broken and his vocal cords damaged. He was in another car accident in 2008. Jan-Michael has battled alcoholism most of his adult life with numerous arrests involving DUIs and public drunkenness. Since his 2002 appearance in “White Boy,” Jan-Michael has stayed out of the public spotlight.