Samwise was the son of Hamfast Gamgee (Gaffer.) He was the gardener and servant of Frodo Baggins, and proved to be a very loyal. When Frodo set out on the Quest to Rivendell, Sam accompanied him, and then became a member of the Fellowship of the Ring. He was the only one of the Fellowship who was with Frodo through the entire Quest.
The Fellowship were seperated at Amon Hen, where Frodo took one of the Elven boats and attempted to sail across the Anduin unnoticed by his companions. But Sam, guessing Frodo's plan, followed him, and eventually the two set off together. First they had to cross Emyn Muil, where they encountered the creature Gollum. Sam instantly distrusted Gollum, but Frodo took pity on the creature, telling him that he would spare his life if he showed them the way into Mordor.
On numerous occasions during the journey, Sam saved Frodo's life in many perilous encounters. What was probably one of Sam's most remarkable deeds was fighting the giant spider Shelob, the last child of Ungoliant. Using the Phial of Galadriel, which was the Lady's gift to the Ringbearer, and Frodo's Elven blade Sting, Sam blinded and mortally wounded the monster.
But Frodo had been sting by Shelob and Sam, thinking him dead, took the Ring, planning to complete the Quest alone. But it turned out that his master was alive, and captured by Orcs. Sam followed the Orcs as they took Frodo to the tower of Cirith Ungol, and soon rescued Frodo from their grasp. They set out to Mount Doom.
After more dangerous encounters with Orcs, they finally arrived at Orodruin, the Mountain of Doom and and the Ring was destroyed. Frodo and Sam, along with the other hobbits Meriadoc Brandybuck and Peregrin Took, were hailed was heroes.
After the coronation of Elessar (Aragorn), Sam and his friends returned to the Shire. After yet another battle, whihc was known as the Scouring of the Shire, their homeland was reclaimed.
But it was not long after Sam married Rose Cotton that Frodo had grown too weary to remain in Middle-earth, and sailed along with Gandalf, Galadriel, Elrond and Bilbo to the Undying Lands, leaving Sam Bag End and the red book of Bilbo.
Sam then went on to sire thirteen children, and he was elected Mayor of the Shire seven times. After the death of his wife in the eighty second year of the Fourth Age, Sam passed the red book on to Elanor, his eldest daughter, and then he, too, left Middle-earth and it was hoped that he met up with Frodo again.
In the films, Sam is played by Sean Astin.