Susan Sarandon Talks About Losing Hollywood Opportunities After Speaking on Gaza and Thanks the Spanish Government for Their Stand
Oscar-winning actress Susan Sarandon is attending the 40th Goya Awards in Spain this weekend to receive a career achievement award.
At a press conference in Barcelona, Sarandon addressed her advocacy for Palestine—a cause that resonates deeply with the Spanish government—along with the challenges she has faced in her career as a result of that support.
The star of Thelma and Louise was released by UTA in 2023 after she participated in several rallies advocating for Palestine. During one of these events, she remarked, “There are a lot of people afraid of being Jewish at this time, and are getting a taste of what it feels like to be a Muslim in this country.” Following backlash, she issued an apology for those comments.
In her remarks today, Sarandon detailed the professional repercussions of her activism, stating, “I was fired by my agency, specifically for marching and speaking out about Gaza, for asking for a ceasefire, and it became impossible for me to even be on television. I don’t know lately if it’s changed, but I couldn’t do any major film, anything connected with Hollywood.”
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Since her departure from Hollywood, Sarandon has signed with new agencies in the UK (United Agents) and Italy (Do MGMT), resulting in a shift in her career trajectory largely outside the United States.
She shared, “I just did a film in Italy, and I did a play at the Old Vic [in London] for a number of months. An Italian director just hired me, but he was told not to hire me. So, right now I kind of specialize in tiny, independent films with directors who have never directed before, and films that are in Europe or in Italy. So, that’s the main reason I haven’t been working as much.”
Currently, Sarandon is involved in post-production for the Italian film The Echo Chamber, featuring Alicia Vikander, as well as the U.S. indie movie The Accompanist, which marks the directorial debut of actor Zach Woods.
Emotional during her address, Sarandon expressed admiration for Spain’s government and its “strength and moral clarity,” particularly in its support of Palestine during the Gaza conflict.
“To see Spain and the President’s support for Gaza, and to have actors like Javier Bardem come forward with such a strong voice, is so important to us in the United States,” she said. “It makes you feel less alone, and it makes you feel that there is hope, because you just don’t hear that on TV in the U.S.”
Sarandon also remarked on the significance of international solidarity, stating, “When a nation stands up, and I include Ireland in this too, I can’t tell you how very important it is to those of us who are trying—in an atmosphere that is very difficult—when we see that kind of strength and moral clarity, how much it means to us.”
She emphasized her deep concerns regarding the treatment of Palestinians, asserting, “I personally feel very strongly that the annihilation of the Palestinian people is a horrible crime, and I’m very ashamed to be paying for that.”
In a broader critique, Sarandon characterized U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as “unconstitutional” and accused it of engaging in unlawful practices aimed particularly at Black and brown communities. “I’m very proud of the communities that have managed to find a way to fight against ICE, and I think that’s what it’s going to take, because no one at the top is going to save us from any of these things,” she concluded.
