Did you know that she’s passionate about ping pong?
BY ELLA GAUCI, IMAGE BY MAGNOLIA PICTURES
Susan Sarandon has been a Hollywood icon and outspoken advocate for change for decades, known not just for her dynamic film roles but also for her unabashedly progressive views. While many of us know her from her unforgettable performances in films like Thelma & Louise and Dead Man Walking, there’s a lot more to Sarandon than meets the eye.
Ahead of her new film The Gutter, here are six fascinating facts about the Academy Award-winning actor that might surprise you.
She almost didn’t become an actor
Sarandon stumbled into acting almost by accident. While she was studying at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., she met and later married actor Chris Sarandon. She accompanied him to an audition in New York City and was asked to read as well, which led to her first role in Joe (1970). Although the marriage didn’t last, her love for acting did, and she never looked back.
She’s a major fan of ping pong
Yes, really! Sarandon co-founded SPiN, a trendy ping pong social club, in 2009. What began as a way to share her love of the game has turned into a successful franchise with locations across North America. She’s often seen playing at SPiN’s New York City location and has described ping pong as a way to break down barriers – one paddle at a time.
She was once barred from the Oscars red carpet
Sarandon’s outspoken nature hasn’t always been welcome in Hollywood circles. During the 1993 Oscars, she and actor Tim Robbins took a moment on stage wearing red ribbons to support people living with HIV, a move that led to a 10-year ban from the Oscars red carpet. The Academy took issue with the pair’s political outspokenness, though it eventually lifted the ban, allowing Sarandon back on the red carpet.
Her iconic role in The Rocky Horror Picture Show was almost a bust
It’s hard to imagine The Rocky Horror Picture Show without Sarandon’s iconic portrayal of Janet Weiss, but her time on set was anything but glamorous. Filming in an unheated castle, Sarandon caught pneumonia but powered through filming, even during intense dance scenes. Her dedication paid off, as the cult classic remains one of her most beloved films.
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