Susan Sarandon, the renowned actress and activist at 76, recently made some candid revelations about her past during a guest appearance on her ex-husband Chris Sarandon’s podcast, Cooking by Heart. The podcast episode delved into their courtship and marriage during the 1960s and ’70s, shedding light on a few surprising family secrets.
One of the revelations centered on their 1967 wedding, where Susan shared that her mother, Lenora Criscione Tomalin, was pregnant at the time. Susan also recalled a memorable incident involving her brother, Phillip Tomalin Jr., who “hooked up with one of the bridesmaids,” making the event a rather eventful affair.
According to Susan, her mother, who sadly passed away in 2020, had a history of being pregnant quite often and enduring multiple miscarriages. Regarding her mother’s pregnancy during her own wedding, Susan commented, “I think she was embarrassed,” emphasizing that her mother was 44 years old at the time.
Susan’s mother never admitted her embarrassment, instead advising her daughter that she “can’t get married.” However, Susan’s father held a different view and attended the wedding, along with her mother, who discreetly wore a “black raincoat” and only stayed at the back of the church for a brief 10-minute period. Susan mentioned that none of her other siblings could attend the wedding except her brother who was closest in age to her and insisted on being there.
During their conversation, Susan and Chris, who initially met while she was in college, expressed their enduring appreciation for one another. Susan credited Chris with being the foundation of her life and her survival, stating, “I credit you with my foundation and my survival. I just thank you. That’s very kind.” She added that one of her reasons for being on the podcast was to publicly acknowledge this.
In a separate discussion, Chris, who has remarried twice and will soon celebrate 30 years of marriage with Tony-winning actress and singer Joanna Gleason, also had heartfelt words for Susan and their time together. He emphasized the importance of revisiting formative relationships, acknowledging the love that still exists albeit in a different form, not romantic but still meaningful.
Chris commended Susan as “an extraordinary human being” both before and after their marriage, praising her evolution as an actress and social activist. He expressed deep satisfaction in seeing her growth in a healthy and humanitarian way.
Susan and Chris were married from 1967 to 1979 but did not have children together. Instead, they each have three children from previous relationships. Chris shares two daughters and one son with his ex-wife Lisa Ann Cooper and has a stepson through Joanna Gleason.
Susan is a mother to actress Eva Amurri, 38, whom she shares with Italian director Franco Amurri, as well as her children with actor Tim Robbins: director Jack Henry Robbins, 34, and actor/musician Miles Robbins, 31.
In August 2021, Susan, an Oscar winner, expressed her hope of finding a lifelong adventure partner but emphasized that she was in no hurry. She sought a travel companion with a passion for adventure and a deep love for their pursuits, whether male or female. While Susan remained hopeful about a romantic relationship, she also acknowledged that the window for it may have closed but emphasized that she remained hopeful without desperation.
