# Susan Sarandon career and activism > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/susan-sarandon-career-and-activism > Updated: 2026-10-04T07:00:18.000Z. Sources: 23. Developments: 2. Actress Susan Sarandon is celebrating her 80th birthday, marking a career that has spanned more than five decades. An Academy Award winner for ‘Dead Man Walking’, she is recognized for roles in films such as ‘Thelma & Louise’, ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’, ‘Atlantic City’, and ‘Bull Durham’. Beyond her filmography, she has served as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. Sarandon is noted for her political activism, including advocacy for labor rights, social justice, LGBTQ+ rights, and opposition to the death penalty. These stances have led to professional challenges; in 2023, her talent agency, UTA, terminated her contract. She recently noted at the Venice Film Festival that some agencies have discouraged casting her due to her views, suggesting the ‘power structure’ in Hollywood may penalize critics of certain governments, though she feels supported by an international audience. Her activism has included participation in demonstrations regarding the war in Gaza and a recent arrest in New York during a protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s presence at the UN General Assembly. She continues to work in the industry, recently presenting her film ‘The Echo Chamber’ at the Venice Film Festival. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-04: Susan Sarandon celebrates 80th birthday and lifelong activism Actress Susan Sarandon celebrates her 80th birthday, balancing a storied Hollywood career with a history of high-profile political activism and recent arrests during protests. 16 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/susan-sarandon-celebrates-80th-birthday-and-five-decade-career ### 2026-10-04: Susan Sarandon and Christoph Waltz celebrate birthdays October 4 celebrates the birthdays of Oscar-winning actors Susan Sarandon and Christoph Waltz, highlighting their significant contributions to international cinema. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/susan-sarandon-and-christoph-waltz-celebrate-birthdays --- Cite as: Susan Sarandon career and activism. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/susan-sarandon-career-and-activism