Susan Abigail Sarandon is an acclaimed American actress and producer whose career has spanned over five decades. Known for her versatility and captivating performances in film and television, she has received numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, and nominations for nine Golden Globe Awards. Sarandon is also a prominent activist, recognized for her advocacy on various social and political issues.
Susan Sarandon Overview
| Full Name | Susan Abigail Tomalin |
| Date of Birth | October 4, 1946 |
| Age | 78 years old |
| Place of Birth | New York City, U.S. |
| Grew Up In | Edison, New Jersey |
| Family | Lenora Marie (née Criscione) and Phillip Leslie Tomalin (parents), 8 siblings |
| Height | 5 ft 7 1/2 inches |
| Profession | Actress, Producer |
| Net Worth | Estimated $60 million as of 2025 |
Early Life and Education of Susan Sarandon
Susan Abigail Tomalin was born on October 4, 1946, in the Jackson Heights neighborhood of Queens, New York City. She was the eldest of nine children born to Lenora Marie (née Criscione) and Phillip Leslie Tomalin, who was an advertising executive, television producer, and a one-time nightclub singer. Her father was of English, Irish, and Welsh ancestry. When she was four, her family moved to Edison, New Jersey, where she grew up. Sarandon attended Edison High School, where she first explored acting in school plays.
Described as a “spacey” and introverted child, she was also responsible for looking after her younger siblings, an experience she later said “grounded” her. From a young age, she was questioning and rebellious, which led her to challenge the conservative Catholic teachings at her elementary school. After graduating from high school, she enrolled at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in drama in 1968. During her college years, she met and married fellow student Chris Sarandon.
Susan Sarandon’s Career
Early Career and Breakthrough
Susan Sarandon’s acting career began somewhat by chance. In 1969, she accompanied her then-husband, Chris Sarandon, to a casting call for the movie Joe. While he didn’t get a part, she was asked to audition and landed a major role as a disaffected teenager. This marked her film debut in 1970. Following this, she appeared in the soap operas A World Apart and Search for Tomorrow.
Her career gained momentum in the mid-1970s with roles in the television film F. Scott Fitzgerald and ‘The Last of the Belles’ and Billy Wilder’s The Front Page. In 1975, she starred in the cult classic musical horror film The Rocky Horror Picture Show, which brought her widespread recognition. She also had a leading role opposite Robert Redford in The Great Waldo Pepper. Her performances in Louis Malle’s films Pretty Baby (1978) and Atlantic City (1980) further established her as a talented actress, earning her an Academy Award nomination for the latter.
Rise to Prominence and Acclaim
The 1980s saw Sarandon take on a variety of roles, including a modern-day Ariel in Tempest (1982) and a vampire in The Hunger (1983), where she had a notable on-screen romance with Catherine Deneuve. She starred alongside Jack Nicholson, Cher, and Michelle Pfeiffer in the successful comedy-fantasy The Witches of Eastwick (1987). However, it was her role as the smart and seductive baseball groupie Annie Savoy in the 1988 film Bull Durham that solidified her status as a household name. This film was both a critical and commercial success and also marked the beginning of her long-term relationship with co-star Tim Robbins.
The 1990s were a period of significant critical acclaim for Sarandon. She received Academy Award nominations for her roles in Thelma & Louise (1991), Lorenzo’s Oil (1992), and The Client (1994). In 1995, she finally won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her powerful portrayal of Sister Helen Prejean in Dead Man Walking, a film written and directed by Tim Robbins.
Later Career
Sarandon has continued to work steadily in both film and television. Her later film credits include Stepmom (1998), Enchanted (2007), The Lovely Bones (2009), Cloud Atlas (2012), and The Meddler (2015). She has also made memorable television appearances, with guest roles in Friends and Malcolm in the Middle, and starring roles in HBO’s You Don’t Know Jack (2010) and the FX miniseries Feud (2017), where her portrayal of Bette Davis earned her a Golden Globe nomination. In 2009, she returned to Broadway in a revival of Exit the King.
Susan Sarandon Personal Life & Family
Susan Sarandon was married to Chris Sarandon from 1967 to 1979, and she kept his surname after their divorce. In the mid-1980s, she had a relationship with Italian filmmaker Franco Amurri, with whom she has a daughter, eva amurri, born in 1985. From 1988 to 2009, Sarandon was in a long-term relationship with actor Tim Robbins, whom she met on the set of Bull Durham. They have two sons together: John “Jack” Henry, born in 1989, and Miles Robbins, born in 1992. Following her split from Robbins, she was in a relationship with Jonathan Bricklin from 2010 to 2015. In 2022, Sarandon came out as bisexual. She is a grandmother to her daughter Eva’s three children.
Awards and Achievements of Susan Sarandon
Susan Sarandon has received numerous awards and nominations throughout her career. A comprehensive list can be found on platforms like Wikipedia and IMDb. Some of her most notable accolades include:
- Academy Awards:
- 1996: Best Actress for Dead Man Walking (Winner)
- 1995: Best Actress for The Client (Nominee)
- 1993: Best Actress for Lorenzo’s Oil (Nominee)
- 1992: Best Actress for Thelma & Louise (Nominee)
- 1982: Best Actress for Atlantic City (Nominee)
- British Academy Film Awards:
- 1995: Best Actress in a Leading Role for The Client (Winner)
- 1992: Best Actress in a Leading Role for Thelma & Louise (Nominee)
- Golden Globe Awards: She has received nine nominations for her work in film and television.
- Screen Actors Guild Awards:
- 1996: Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role for Dead Man Walking (Winner)
Susan Sarandon Net Worth and Income
As of 2025, Susan Sarandon’s net worth is estimated to be around $60 million. Her wealth has been accumulated through her long and successful acting career in film and television, as well as from her work as a producer. Reports indicate she earned significant salaries for films like Lorenzo’s Oil ($3.5 million) and The Client ($5 million). Sarandon has also made savvy real estate investments, including properties in Manhattan and Brooklyn.
Legacy and Influence
Susan Sarandon is regarded as one of the most respected and versatile actresses of her generation. Her career is marked by her willingness to take on challenging and often controversial roles. Beyond her acting, Sarandon is well-known for her outspoken activism. She has been a vocal supporter of progressive and left-wing causes, including anti-war movements, civil rights, and the fight against the death penalty. In 1999, she was appointed a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and has also been honored for her humanitarian work by organizations like Action Against Hunger.
Interesting Facts about Susan Sarandon
- She is the eldest of nine children.
- Her first film role in Joe was landed by chance when she accompanied her then-husband to an audition.
- She was initially hesitant to sing in The Rocky Horror Picture Show due to self-consciousness about her singing voice.
- She is a co-founder of SPiN, a chain of table tennis lounges.
- She was one of the eight women selected to carry the Olympic flag at the 2006 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony.
Controversies
Susan Sarandon has faced controversy for her outspoken political views. In 2003, she was an early and vocal opponent of the invasion of Iraq. More recently, in November 2023, she made comments at a pro-Palestinian rally that were criticized as antisemitic. Following the backlash, she was dropped by her talent agency. Sarandon later issued an apology, stating that her words were a “terrible mistake” and that she regretted diminishing the reality of Jewish persecution.
Social Media Presence
Susan Sarandon maintains an active presence on social media, where she often shares her views on political and social issues. She has a significant following on platforms like Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).
Final Words about Susan Sarandon
Susan Sarandon’s career is a testament to her enduring talent and her commitment to her principles. Despite facing recent controversies, she remains a significant figure in Hollywood, known for her powerful performances and her unwavering dedication to activism. As of late 2024, she has stated that the controversy surrounding her pro-Palestinian comments has led to her being blacklisted by mainstream Hollywood studios. Nevertheless, she continues to be an influential voice, using her platform to advocate for causes she believes in.
