text: “The only thing that gives me the courage to do things—because I'm a shy person—is the idea of living with myself afterward.”
  —Susan Sarandon
  Susan Sarandon
  Biography
  (1946–)
  Publish date:
  Dec 12, 2017
  Comment
  Susan Sarandon is an Academy Award-winning American film actress known for roles in films like 'Bull Durham,' 'Thelma and Louise' and 'Dead Man Walking.'
  Who Is Susan Sarandon?
  Susan Sarandon is an American film actress who began acting after college. In 1975, she landed a role in the cult classic film The Rocky Horror Picture Show. She won an Academy Award for her performance in Dead Man Walking (1995) and received Oscar nominations for her roles in Atlantic City (1980), Thelma and Louise (1991), Lorenzo's Oil (1992) and The Client (1994). Her other notable films include The Witches of Eastwick (1987) and Bull Durham (1988).
  Early Life and Career
  Sarandon was born on October 4, 1946, in New York City. She graduated from the Catholic University of America in 1968 with a B.A. in drama and not long after graduating she made her film debut in Joe (1970). After a few other film roles, Sarandon landed a part in The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975), a campy musical that developed a cult following in subsequent years.
  Movies and Career Highlights
  Sarandon earned her first Academy Award nomination for Atlantic City (1980) starring opposite screen legend Burt Lancaster. However, her career really picked up steam later that decade with appearances in The Witches of Eastwick (1987) and Bull Durham (1988). In The Witches of Eastwick, she played one of three women seduced by the devil (Jack Nicholson) and developed special powers. This lighthearted battle of good vs. evil showed Sarandon’s comedic talents. In Bull Durham, she played Annie Savoy, a smart and sexy baseball groupie who becomes involved with hotshot pitcher Ebby Calvin "Nuke" LaLoosh, played by Tim Robbins. Robbins would later become her partner in real life.
  Sarandon delivered one of her most memorable performances in Thelma and Louise (1991), co-starring with Geena Davis as two friends on a road trip turned wrong. Her portrayal of the tough, protective and somewhat broken Louise brought her another Academy Award nomination. Sarandon was also nominated for Lorenzo's Oil (1992) and The Client (1994). She played a nun in the gritty and powerful drama Dead Man Walking (1995), winning her first Academy Award for her performance.
  Scroll to Continue
  READ NEXT
  Boris Johnson
  (1964–)
  Gael García Bernal
  (1978–)
  Deb Haaland
  (1960–)
  Later Roles
  In 2009, Sarandon returned to Broadway in a critically acclaimed production of Eugene Ionesco's Exit the King, playing Queen Marguerite to Geoffrey Rush's King Berenger. On the big screen, Sarandon took on a supporting role in The Lovely Bones (2009), a film adaptation of the best-selling novel by Alice Sebold, in addition to roles in various films and TV series, including The Big C (2012), Arbitrage (2012), Cloud Atlas (2012), Tammy (2014) and The Meddler (2015).
  In 2017, Sarandon played screen legend Bette Davis, co-starring with Jessica Lange as Joan Crawford, in the TV series Feud. The television show, developed by Ryan Murphy, focused on the legendary bitter rivalry between the two Hollywood icons. Both actresses were praised for their work on the show, with Sarandon earning Emmy and Golden Globe nominations.
  Activism
  Unafraid to make her stance known on many issues, Sarandon and Robbins spoke about the plight of Haitian HIV-positive refugees during the 1993 Academy Awards ceremony when they appeared as presenters. In 1999, she became a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, and she has been active in supporting various political and human rights causes. In 2006, Sarandon was one of the celebrities that joined antiwar activist Cindy Sheehan in a fast against the war in Iraq. She also received the Action Against Hunger Humanitarian Award in 2006.
  In 2016, Sarandon was an outspoken supporter of Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, before casting her vote for Jill Stein of the Green Party. The following year, in an interview with The Guardian, the actress recalled the personal attacks she received for not supporting Hillary Clinton, and doubled down on her assertions that the former secretary of state was "very, very dangerous."
  Personal Life and Children
  Sarandon was married to actor Chris Sarandon from 1967 to 1979. She has three children: a daughter Eva from a relationship with filmmaker Franco Amurri and two sons, Jack and Miles, with Tim Robbins. She and Robbins split in the summer of 2009, after being together for 23 years.
  Fact Check
  We strive for accuracy and fairness. If you see something that doesn't look right, contact us!
  Citation Information
  Article Title
  Susan Sarandon Biography
  Author
  Biography.com Editors
  Website Name
  The Biography.com website
  URL
  https://www.biography.com/actor/susan-sarandon
  Access Date
  Publisher
  A&E Television Networks
  Last Updated
  March 30, 2021
  Original Published Date
  April 2, 2014
  Tags:
  Comment
  BIOGRAPHY NEWSLETTER
  Subscribe to the Biography newsletter to receive stories about the people who shaped our world and the stories that shaped their lives.
  SIGN UP
  MORE STORIES FROM BIOGRAPHY
  Person
  Susan Sontag
  Susan Sontag was a critical essayist, cultural analyst, novelist and filmmaker. She wrote 'On Photography,' 'Illness as Metaphor,' 'The Volcano Lover' and 'In America,' among many other works.
  (1933–2004)
  Person
  Susan Saint James
  Actress Susan Saint James is best known for her roles on hit TV shows 'The Name of the Game' (1968), 'McMillan & Wife' (1971) and 'Kate & Allie' (1984).
  (1946–)
  Person
  Susan Rice
  Susan Rice served on President Barack Obama's Cabinet as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and as a national security adviser.
  (1964–)
  Person
  Susan Smith
  Susan Smith is best known for her murder of her two sons in order to carry on a relationship with a wealthy man.
  (1971–)
  Person
  Susan B. Anthony
  Susan B. Anthony was a suffragist, abolitionist, author and speaker who was the president of the National American Woman Suffrage Association.
  (1820–1906)
  Person
  Susan Atkins
  Susan Atkins was a member of Charles Manson's 'Family' and was convicted of the group's infamous 1969 murder of Sharon Tate, which was orchestrated by Manson.
  (1948–2009)
  Person
  Robert De Niro
  Oscar-winning actor Robert De Niro has starred in such films as 'Taxi Driver,' 'The Godfather: Part II,' 'Raging Bull,' 'Awakenings' and 'The Intern.'
  (1943–)
  Person
  Diane Keaton
  Diane Keaton is an Oscar-winning actress who earned early acclaim for her work in several Woody Allen films and her dramatic turn in 'The Godfather' series. She's also known for comedic hits like 'The First Wives Club' and 'Something's Gotta Give.'
  (1946–)
  Person
  Lauren Bacall
  Lauren Bacall is an Academy Award-nominated actress known for roles in films like The Big Sleep, How to Marry a Millionaire, The Fan and The Mirror Has Two Faces.