Susan Sarandon Italian-American origins.
Susan Sarandon: The Italian-American Icon Behind the Legend
To understand Susan Sarandon in her fullness – her passion, her fire, her emotional intelligence, and that unfiltered honesty she is so famous for – you must start with her roots. Susan Sarandon was born Susan Abigail Tomalin on October 4, 1946, in New York City, but the heartbeat of her upbringing came from one distinct source: the Italian side of her family. Her mother, Leonora Marie Criscione, belonged to a lineage that traced back to the warm, intense, deeply traditional territories of Sicily and Calabria. These are regions known not only for their landscapes, but for their identity – loud, affectionate, stubborn, generous, instinctive. And Susan grew up in that atmosphere every single day.
The Criscione surname itself roots her instantly in the world of Southern Italy, a place where family isn’t just important, it is everything. Sarandon has described her childhood home as one where emotions were not merely expressed – they were lived. Arguments, laughter, sadness, pride: everything had volume, everything had flavor. If you’ve ever been to an Italian-American Sunday lunch, you know the vibe. This wasn’t a quiet, polished household. It was an ecosystem made of warmth, chaos, protective love, intergenerational traditions, and an unspoken rule that you show up for your people, no matter what.
Growing up, Sarandon absorbed all of this. Her mother, Leonora, was the epicenter of the family, the kind of disciplinarian-teacher-guardian hybrid that many first-generation Italian-American mothers embodied. She made sure the house functioned, that the children followed rules, and that cultural traditions survived even in the crowded, multicultural streets of New York and New Jersey.
Susan was the eldest of nine children, which meant responsibility was not optional: it was her birthright. She learned early to mediate conflicts, to guide the younger ones, to speak up when necessary. This is where her sense of justice began. Her activism, her rebellious streak, and her fearlessness? You can trace them straight back to the Criscione living room.
Even decades later, Sarandon speaks of her mother and her Italian roots with a tone that mixes gratitude and realism. She has talked about the Catholic upbringing she experienced – strict but foundational – and about the sense of identity that came from being raised in a family that lived like a tribe. Italians do not raise children; they raise clans. And Sarandon belonged to one.
Susan Sarandon
Susan Sarandon Italian-American origins. Her connection to Italy
Her connection to Italy wasn’t just emotional. Living in New York, she grew up surrounded by Italian-American neighborhoods, smells, voices, and habits: Little Italy street festivals, bakeries with cannoli stacked in the window, neighbors speaking dialects mixed with English, and a culture where food and family were the pillars of everyday life.
She internalized all of it. Even today, she says she feels “more Italian than anything else,” despite being only half Italian on paper. Identity is not math, after all – it’s memory, atmosphere, and the people who raise you.
Susan Sarandon Italian-American origins. From childhood to early career: becoming Susan Sarandon
Before becoming an Oscar-winning actress, a political symbol, and one of Hollywood’s most memorable performers, Susan Sarandon was simply a girl navigating the complexity of New Jersey life in the 1950s and 60s. She was raised in Edison, New Jersey, in a Catholic setting where discipline was strict and expectations high.
But Susan wasn’t the kind of child who fit neatly into disciplinary boxes. She had opinions, she had curiosity, she had a spark that wouldn’t sit quietly. She has recalled that from a young age she questioned rules, questioned authority, questioned systems – not to be rebellious for the sake of rebellion, but because she felt compelled to understand the why behind everything.
Catholic schooling played a major role in her early formation. It taught her structure, but more importantly, it taught her where structures break. She began noticing injustices, hypocrisies, and the contradictions between what was preached and what was practiced. These early experiences later fueled her activism and her deep involvement in social causes. She learned that saying nothing was not an option – a very Italian trait as well. Italians don’t bottle things up: they express, they debate, they challenge.
Sarandon eventually moved on to The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC, where she studied drama. Ironically, her entry into acting wasn’t because she had some big Hollywood dream. In fact, it was almost accidental. She accompanied her then-husband, Chris Sarandon, to an audition. He was the one pursuing acting professionally. But the casting crew noticed her presence, her aura, the way she talked, the intuition in her expressions. She had something – a magnetism that could not be taught. Soon after, she booked her first role in “Joe” (1970), a gritty drama that unexpectedly became a box-office success.
The 1970s saw Sarandon experimenting with avant-garde films, offbeat stories, and nontraditional roles. The real turning point came when she starred as Janet Weiss in “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” (1975). The movie was not a mainstream hit at first, but it soon grew into a cultural revolution, gaining an enormous cult following. Sarandon became a symbol of alternative cinema, celebrated for a performance that was quirky, daring, and fun. It was the perfect early-career moment for someone who never wanted to fit a mold.
Unlike many actors who chase fame early on, Sarandon’s career grew organically. She acted out of curiosity, instinct, and passion. She trusted her gut. And her gut – shaped by that Italian emotional compass – rarely failed her. Her early years were defined by discovery, transformation, and the drive to understand humanity through every character she played.
Susan Sarandon Italian-American origins. Hollywood success and activism: a career built on courage
As the 1980s arrived, Susan Sarandon was no longer an emerging actress – she was a force gaining momentum. Her film roles became deeper, more layered, more emotionally demanding. She captivated audiences with a blend of vulnerability and strength, and her presence on screen felt both intimate and powerful. This was not someone performing emotions. This was someone living them. Again, the Italian influence was unmistakable: authenticity above everything.
In “Atlantic City” (1980), Sarandon delivered a performance that earned her first Academy Award nomination. Her portrayal of an ambitious but kind-hearted woman stuck in a failing life resonated with audiences. The film became a milestone, signaling that Sarandon was not just talented – she was unforgettable.
During the 1980s, she also starred in “The Hunger”, a stylish vampire film that developed its own cult following, and “The Witches of Eastwick” (1987), where she showcased her humor, sensuality, and magnetic screen presence alongside Cher and Michelle Pfeiffer. By the time the 1990s rolled in, she was positioned at the top of Hollywood’s most respected performers.
Then came “Thelma & Louise” (1991) – a film that changed cinema. Sarandon’s role as Louise became a cultural landmark, a symbol of female rebellion, emotional complexity, and moral courage. The movie was more than a feminist classic; it was a declaration of independence from the male-dominated Hollywood narrative. Sarandon’s performance earned her another Oscar nomination and solidified her status as a legend.
This decade also marked her rise as a prominent political activist. Unlike other celebrities who keep quiet to protect their careers, Sarandon stepped into the spotlight with fire. She defended human rights, stood against wars, supported refugees, and advocated for environmental protection. She joined protests, gave speeches, challenged politicians, and used her platform relentlessly. Some loved her for it, others criticized her – but she never backed down.
As she once said, “If you’re not upsetting someone, you’re probably not doing enough.” Classic New York-Italian bluntness. Sarandon is the embodiment of courage in Hollywood: artistic courage, moral courage, emotional courage. She uses her fame not for vanity but for change, proving that a career can be both brilliant and meaningful.
Susan Sarandon Italian-American origins. Her identity, her Italian spirit, and personal life
Sarandon’s identity has always been multilayered. She is an actress, an activist, a mother, a public figure, and a private woman. But at her core, she remains profoundly shaped by her Italian spirit. Even today, she speaks about her background with warmth and clarity. It isn’t nostalgia; it’s identity. She feels Italian not just because of heritage, but because her worldview, her emotions, and her values align with Italian culture.
One of the most central aspects of her personal life is motherhood. Sarandon is the mother of three children: Eva Amurri, Jack Henry Robbins, and Miles Robbins. All three have creative careers, reflecting the artistic energy they grew up around. Sarandon had Eva at 39 and her youngest, Miles, at 45. Hollywood at the time thought this was shocking – actresses were expected to “fade” after 35. Sarandon didn’t just reject that narrative; she demolished it. She became a symbol of empowered motherhood, showing that life doesn’t shrink with age – it expands.
Her relationships have also drawn public interest. Though she was married only once (to Chris Sarandon), she has had long and meaningful partnerships, including her famous relationship with Tim Robbins. But Sarandon has always refused to let her personal life be defined by labels. She has openly discussed sexuality, aging, love, and independence with honesty and humor. Her approach is refreshingly real: messy, beautiful, human. Very much aligned with that Italian philosophy of living fully, not perfectly.
Sarandon’s emotional openness is part of her charm. She cries easily, laughs loudly, and speaks impulsively at times. She doesn’t pretend to be serene or neutral. She lets people see the real her. In a world obsessed with perfection, that authenticity is incredibly rare.
Susan Sarandon Italian-American origins. Her present and future: what’s next for Susan Sarandon?
Despite being in her late seventies, Susan Sarandon is nowhere near done. She continues acting, producing, traveling, and speaking out on issues she believes in. Age doesn’t intimidate her; it motivates her. She sees each new decade as a chance to reinvent herself, to explore, to contribute.
Her recent projects include roles in “Feud: Bette and Joan”, “Blue Beetle”, numerous indie films, and several documentaries.
She remains a favorite among directors seeking depth and emotional power. Sarandon has expressed interest in continuing to support emerging filmmakers, especially women, LGBTQ+ creators, and independent artists who struggle to break into the industry. She believes in lifting others, not just leading.
Why is Susan Sarandon a timeless cultural icon?
Her activism continues as well. Whether it’s human rights, refugee support, environmental protection, or political reform, she remains outspoken. Some people disagree with her positions, but she doesn’t soften, doesn’t perform, doesn’t calculate. She speaks because she believes silence is dangerous. This conviction comes from her upbringing, from that Italian sense of moral duty, from a life shaped by empathy and emotional intelligence.
She celebrates her birthday every October 4, a date fans around the world mark with tributes. For many, Sarandon isn’t just an actress – she’s a cultural symbol. Someone who lived boldly, spoke honestly, and never lost herself inside the Hollywood machine.
Her future looks like her past: fearless, creative, compassionate, and unmistakably Italian at heart.
