'Rings' cast duped by obsessed admirers

By EUGENE BINGHAM

Obsessed Lord of the Rings fans, a woman posing as a man, and a fake charity - just when you thought the sideshows surrounding the movie trilogy could not get stranger, they become truly weird.

New Zealand actors and star Sean Astin were unwittingly drawn into a bizarre con based around the LOTR and the eccentric online world it spawned.

A new book, When a Fan Hits the Shit, tells how two young American fans spun stories to attract backing for a phony charity and set up opportunities to meet stars.

Author Jeanine Renne wrote the book after falling victim to the pair, Abigail Stone and Amy Player - who also went under the name Jordan Wood.

Tens of thousands of dollars was raised but no money was put to legitimate charity use and, in the process, a clutch of actors were burned.

Astin was duped into endorsing the charity by making an appearance at an event which was supposed to support a children's literacy programme, and referred to it publicly, including in an on-line chat session.

Three New Zealanders entangled in the scheme had a much worse time.

Brian Sergent, who played the hobbit Sandyman, Jed Brophy, an orc, and Paul Randall, known as Tall Paul, were flown to the United States late last year for a fundraising event which was supposed to be an opportunity for fans in Oregon to meet LOTR celebrities.

But the event collapsed and the trio were stranded in Los Angeles with no accommodation.

"After flying halfway around the world, they were reduced to wandering through the airport like lost waifs," said the book.

The trio were unable to be contacted this week. But Bruce Hopkins, another New Zealand LOTR actor who had a brush with the con artists, said the episode was a cautionary tale for those associated with movies.

"These women were able to con everyone because of the Lord of the Rings focus and the trust and camaraderie there is among fans and the cast and crew [of LOTR]."

Hopkins said he had opted to sign up with an agent to handle his convention appearances as a safeguard against events such as the ones organised by Stone and Player.

The book reveals that the motive for the pair was not necessarily making money - in fact, not much went directly to them.

"I realised Abbey and Amy were spotlight addicts, seeking attention both from movie stars and chumps like me," wrote Renne.

She told the Weekend Herald she had written the book partly to ensure Stone and Player were shut down after she heard that they had popped up in Hollywood apparently dabbling in the Harry Potter industry.