What to Know
Susan Sarandon has always been among the most outspoken celebrities when it comes to politics, but this time, it sounds like her activism came at a pretty big price. While speaking with Reuters last week, Susan admitted that it recently “became impossible” to work in Hollywood after standing up against genocide in Gaza — now, she does most of her acting abroad.
Susan was fired by her agent after calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.
While attending the Spanish Film Academy’s Goya Awards in Barcelona, the 79 year old actress told reporters that it had become more difficult for her than ever to maintain a career in the US, despite the fact that she’s already built such a legendary resumé in her decades long career.
“I was fired by my agency, specifically for marching and speaking out about Gaza, for asking for a ceasefire,” she said. “It became impossible for me to even be on television. I don’t know lately if it’s changed. I couldn’t do any major film or anything connected with Hollywood.”
As Gaza’s conflict with Israel continues, so has the massive loss of life — something that fans who follow Susan on social media already know she will always take a stand for.
In order to find work, she had to leave the US.
Fortunately, Susan was able to find new representation in Italy and England, so that’s where her acting career is based now.
“I just did a film in Italy, and I did a play at the Old Vic for a number of months,” she continued. “I know this Italian director that just hired me — he was told not to hire me, so that’s still recently. He didn’t listen, but they had that conversation. Right now, I kind of specialize in tiny films with directors who have never directed, in independent films.”
Taking a stand has earned her quite a bit of respect with fans.
On Reddit, fans applauded Susan for standing up for what she believes in, even though it has come at a pretty enormous cost to her.
“Calling for a ceasefire or advocating for Palestinian human rights should not cost someone their career. The fact that people are being punished or silenced for expressing that view raises serious concerns,” one commenter wrote.
Another said, “And through all this, she has stuck by her values and keeps fighting for people whose voice has been stolen from them. So much respect for her.”
