UNICEF People

Susan Sarandon

© UNICEF/HQ00-0080/TOUTOUNJI

Internationally acclaimed actress Susan Sarandon has devoted her talents to supporting efforts to relieve hunger, promote women’s issues and help children in need and people with HIV/AIDS around the world. In 1999 she received the Amnesty International USA Media Spotlight Award for Leadership and the same year was appointed a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.

Advocacy with inspiration

Shortly after her appointment, Sarandon delivered an inspiring address at UNICEF House, New York, to help launch one of the organization’s flagship publications The State of the World’s Children 2000. Then, at the beginning of 2000, she filmed a series of public service announcements in support of UNICEF’s global advocacy. In addition, she prepared video and radio messages that helped promote the work of the Canadian UNICEF Committee.

Sarandon made her first UNICEF field mission to the United Republic of Tanzania in May 2000. She met the President and other senior government officials and visited UNICEF health and education programmes, including a community theatre that uses drama to inform young people about the risks of HIV/AIDS. She opened a youth centre and met young activists campaigning to protect children, especially girls and women, from HIV/AIDS. On returning to New York, she promoted these programmes with the media and co-sponsored the ‘Dig a Well for UNICEF’ fund-raising campaign and initiated and designed a benefit to raise money for clean water.

© UNICEF/HQ00-0324/LEMOYNE

Susan Sarandon joins a group of children watching a performance by children at the UNICEF-assisted Kiwohede drop-in centre for destitute children. United Republic of Tanzania, 2000.

Sarandon travelled to India in November of the same year, primarily to visit projects for young children and raise awareness of the importance of early childhood development. On her return she spoke at the launch of The State of The World’s Children 2001 report and filmed a public service announcement, broadcast worldwide, for the UNICEF ‘Say Yes for Children’ initiative, a campaign focusing on 10 key principles that will improve children's lives. Sarandon has also supported the US Fund for UNICEF’s annual ‘Trick or Treat for UNICEF’ campaign.

In April 2003, Sarandon made a trip to Brazil to film an episode on child labour for the What’s Going On? family television series, which profiles the lives of three children there. It was co-produced by the UN Works Programme and is currently airing on Showtime Networks in the United States and later with other broadcasters worldwide. The programme explores critical global issues such as war, environmental degradation, discrimination and poverty through the eyes of a child. Sarandon also gave interviews, held a press conference and filmed a public service announcement for UNICEF.

Appeal and intelligence

Susan Sarandon made her acting debut in the 1970 movie Joe. Her subsequent career has included roles in a wide variety of films including The Great Waldo Pepper, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Pretty Baby, The Witches of Eastwick, A Dry White Season and Atlantic City, which earned her a first Academy Award nomination in 1980. She also received Best Actress Oscar nominations for her roles in Thelma and Louise, Lorenzo’s Oil and The Client. Sarandon brings her own brand of appeal and intelligence to each of her roles – from her fearless portrayal of Annie Savoy in Bull Durham to her Oscar-winning portrayal of Sister Helen Prejean in Dead Man Walking.