

Last Updated: 10 May, 2025 | Views: 7944
Age: 79
Profession: Actress
Famous For: Her role in the musical horror film The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975).
Higher Education: Graduated
About (Profile/Biography):
Susan Abigail Sarandon is an American actress and activist born on October 4, 1946, in New York City. Known for her versatile performances and bold role choices, she has crafted a career spanning over five decades in Hollywood. Beyond her artistic achievements, Sarandon has established herself as an outspoken political activist, feminist voice, and humanitarian. Her distinctive combination of grace, intellect, and fearlessness has made her one of the most respected figures in entertainment.
Early Life & Background of Susan Sarandon
• Born to Lenora Marie and Phillip Leslie Tomalin, Susan grew up in a Catholic household as the eldest of nine children, an experience that fostered her natural leadership qualities and shaped her deep sense of social responsibility that would later influence her activism.
• The actress initially attended The Catholic University of America in Washington D.C. studying drama, where she met her first husband Chris Sarandon in a casting call, ultimately keeping his surname professionally even after their divorce in 1979.
• Young Susan never actually intended to become an actress, stumbling into her first film role in "Joe" (1970) almost by accident while accompanying her then-husband to an audition, a chance encounter that unexpectedly launched her five-decade career in cinema.
Career Highlights of Susan Sarandon
• Sarandon's breakthrough came with her provocative role as Janet Weiss in the cult classic "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" (1975), where her performance helped establish the film's enduring legacy and showcased her willingness to take on unconventional characters.
• The actress earned her first Oscar nomination for "Atlantic City" (1980), but it was her powerful portrayal of Annie Savoy in "Bull Durham" (1988) that truly cemented her status as a leading lady capable of combining sensuality with intellectual depth.
• After five nominations, Susan finally won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her moving performance as Sister Helen Prejean in "Dead Man Walking" (1995), a role that perfectly merged her artistic talents with her passionate stance against capital punishment.
Notable Activism of Susan Sarandon
• Throughout the 1980s, she became increasingly involved in political activism, being arrested multiple times during protests against U.S. military interventions in Central America, demonstrating her willingness to risk her public image for causes she believed in.
• The activist has been a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador since 1999, traveling extensively to Cambodia, Haiti, and the Congo to raise awareness about human trafficking and poverty, using her celebrity status to amplify voices of those most vulnerable.
• Susan boldly endorsed Bernie Sanders in both 2016 and 2020 presidential campaigns, facing significant backlash from liberal Hollywood circles and traditional Democratic supporters who viewed her stance as potentially damaging to the party's chances.
Personal Life of Susan Sarandon
• Despite never remarrying after her divorce from Chris Sarandon, she maintained significant long-term relationships with director Louis Malle, actor Tim Robbins (1988-2009), and filmmaker Jonathan Bricklin, challenging conventional relationship expectations throughout her life.
• The mother of three (daughter Eva with director Franco Amurri, and sons Jack and Miles with Tim Robbins) has openly discussed her philosophy of parenting, which emphasized critical thinking and social awareness rather than strict discipline.
• In her sixties, Sarandon revealed she identifies as bisexual and fluid in her sexuality, demonstrating her continued willingness to speak honestly about personal matters regardless of potential public reaction or Hollywood career implications.
Awards & Recognition received by Susan Sarandon
• Susan's incredible talent earned her an Academy Award (Best Actress for "Dead Man Walking," 1995) after five nominations, cementing her place among Hollywood's most respected performers despite her often controversial political stances.
• The versatile performer received the prestigious BAFTA Award for her role in "The Client" (1994), demonstrating her international appeal and recognition beyond American audiences for her nuanced character portrayals.
• In 2018, Sarandon was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Taormina Film Festival in Italy, celebrating not only her artistic contributions but also her lifelong commitment to using her platform for social justice causes.
Lesser-Known Facts about Susan Sarandon
• Before fame, Susan worked as a switchboard operator, cleaning woman, and even cut hair to support herself during early acting struggles, experiences that she credits for keeping her grounded despite later Hollywood success.
• The accomplished actress is an avid ping-pong enthusiast who co-owned SPiN, a chain of table tennis lounges opened in several major cities, revealing her entrepreneurial spirit beyond her artistic and activist endeavors.
• Despite her sophisticated public image, Sarandon maintains a collection of over 200 pairs of sunglasses that she's gathered throughout her career, a quirky personal habit she began after working on "Thelma & Louise" where sunglasses became iconic.
Controversies & Challenges around Susan Sarandon
• Susan faced intense criticism and professional consequences for her statement that Donald Trump might bring about revolution faster than Hillary Clinton during the 2016 election, with some Hollywood figures and former fans calling for boycotts of her work.
• The outspoken actress stirred controversy in 2018 when she was arrested during a protest against Trump's immigration policies, deliberately using her celebrity status to draw attention to family separations at the US-Mexico border.
• After publicly supporting Palestine and questioning Israel's military actions, Sarandon experienced significant career backlash including lost roles and speaking engagements, yet she consistently refused to retract her statements despite professional repercussions.
Wait!
Here're some popular profiles for you.
