Susan Sarandon: A Life on Screen and Beyond
Table of content
Early Life & Family
Path to Stardom
Biggest Success
Personal Life
Legacy
Early Life and Family
Susan Sarandon, born Susan Abigail Tomalin, entered the world on October 4, 1946, in New York City. Raised in Edison, New Jersey, she was the eldest of nine children in a Roman Catholic family of Italian and Welsh descent. Her father, Philip Leslie Tomalin, worked as an advertising executive and television producer, while her mother, Lenora Marie Criscione, was a homemaker. Susan's large family and Catholic upbringing profoundly influenced her early years, instilling a strong sense of community and values that would shape her both personally and professionally.Path to Stardom
Susan's journey to fame was not instantaneous but rather a gradual ascent marked by determination and talent. After attending Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., where she earned a BA in drama, Sarandon's career began with a series of small roles in film and television. Her big break came in 1975 with her portrayal of Janet Weiss in the cult classic "The Rocky Horror Picture Show". This role showcased her unique blend of vulnerability and strength, endearing her to audiences and setting the stage for her future success.However, it was her performance in the 1988 film "Bull Durham" that truly catapulted her to stardom. Playing the role of Annie Savoy, a baseball groupie with a philosophical bent, Sarandon's performance was both captivating and critically acclaimed, establishing her as a leading lady in Hollywood.
Biggest Success
Susan Sarandon's career boasts numerous successes, but her most significant achievement came with the 1995 film "Dead Man Walking". Directed by Tim Robbins, her partner at the time, the movie featured Sarandon as Sister Helen Prejean, a nun who develops a profound relationship with a death row inmate. Her powerful portrayal earned her the Academy Award for Best Actress, solidifying her place among the greatest actresses of her generation.In addition to her Oscar-winning role, Sarandon has delivered memorable performances in films such as "Thelma & Louise" (1991), "Lorenzo's Oil" (1992), and "The Client" (1994), each earning her critical acclaim and several award nominations.
Personal Life
Susan Sarandon's personal life has been as dynamic and fascinating as her career. She married actor Chris Sarandon in 1967, adopting his surname professionally, but the couple divorced in 1979. Following this, she was involved in a high-profile relationship with Italian filmmaker Franco Amurri, with whom she has a daughter, actress Eva Amurri.In the mid-1980s, Sarandon began a relationship with actor Tim Robbins, whom she met on the set of "Bull Durham". The couple had two sons, Jack Henry and Miles Guthrie, and were together for over two decades before their amicable split in 2009.
Beyond her romantic relationships, Sarandon is known for her political activism and humanitarian efforts. She has been a vocal advocate for numerous causes, including human rights, environmentalism, and social justice. Her activism often intertwines with her career, as she uses her platform to speak out on important issues and support various charitable organizations.