Actor Sean Astin has paid a touching tribute to his mother Patty Duke, who died on Tuesday. She was 69.
Astin, 45, who starred in "The Goonies" and "The Lord of the Rings" film series, has also started a CrowdRise mental health project to honor his mother, who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 1982.
The actor called his mother a "tireless warrior" in his tribute on the CrowdRise page, detailing how she campaigned and lobbied for mental health awareness, which he now wants to continue.
Astin said the campaign is already helping him deal with his loss.
"I feel rock solid at this moment because I'm charged with a sense of mission for her," the actor said.
"So, it's great to have purpose. There's some things in her life that she'd like to continue after her, and we talked a lot after that. The moment of someone's passing, particularly a public person, generates a pulse, so I just want to honor that."
He continued: "At that time in the mid-80's, when she 'went public' with her diagnosis and sharing her story about her mania and her depression and all that. I don't know how many actors or celebrities had, kind of, done that.
"I go around and give speeches on this kind of carrying the torch for her and stuff, and I would say that the world now is infinitely more understanding and compassionate, and yeah, there's still stigma, but it's a different world out there...
