All Time Greats
Susan Sarandon: A woman of substance
"I feel I've always been on the outside and always on the edge of an abyss. The women I portray, and the woman I am, are ordinary but maybe find themselves in extraordinary circumstances, and what they do is at great cost."A strong-willed and confident woman. These adjectives best describe all time film actor Susan Sarandon, quoted above. Memorable roles include the role of central figures in films such as the cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975), Bull Durham (1988), Thelma & Louise (1991) and Dead Man Walking (1995). Susan received four Academy Award nominations in the 1990s, finally winning in 1996 for Dead Man Walking. Other roles came her way with Stepmom (1998), Anywhere But Here (1999), Cradle Will Rock (1999), The Banger Sisters (2002), Shall We Dance (2004), Allie (2004), Romance & Cigarettes (2005) and Elizabethtown (2006). Susan has appeared in the popular TV show, The Simpsons, as herself. This comes on the heels of a previous appearance on the show as a ballet teacher. She has also played parts in the sitcoms Friends and Malcom in the Middle. This apart, she has established a presence on TV shows Mad TV and Chappelle's Show. Susan has also had a long innings as a social activist. As co-presenters of the Academy Awards in 1993, she and her partner, Tim Robbins, grabbed the opportunity to bring public attention to the plight of a few hundred Haitians with AIDS who had been interned in Guantanamo Bay. A Unicef goodwill ambassador, she was arrested for disorderly conduct during a protest in New York over the unarmed shooting of African immigrant Amadou Diallo by four policemen (March 30, 1999). Later, she supported the progressive Ralph Nader during the 2000 presidential election. On the verge of 60s years, Susan epitomises graceful aging--a challenge to the norms of Hollywood stardom. Her eventful film career demonstrates that it is possible for even a middle aged actress to leave an imprint in film history--notwithstanding the conventional preference for nubile actors and a narrow definition of beauty. Susan has the last word. " I'm certainly not an expert, but Tim and I just celebrated 17 years together, which in Hollywood years I think is 45. I think the key is just focusing on this one person and not keeping one eye on the door to see who might be better." Compiled by Cultural Correspondent
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