Susan Sarandon, 79, Tears up and Gets Emotional Onstage in Spain

Megan JohnsonSat, February 28, 2026 at 12:00 PM UTC

0

Legendary actress Susan Sarandon got visibly emotional onstage this week while discussing an issue close to her heart.

Sarandon, 79, rose to stardom in The Rocky Horror Picture Show and earned acclaim for her roles in films such as Dead Man Walking and Thelma and Louise. She later became blockbuster material with hits like Stepmom, and is also widely known for her activist work. But the star's political activity has occasionally led her into hot water, and the actress spoke candidly about that conflict this week on the eve of the 40th Goya Awards ceremony at the Auditori Forum CCIB in Barcelona, where she's set to receive the International Goya in recognition of her career.

During the in-depth discussion with questions from the press, Sarandon became visibly emotional, holding back tears while discussing Gaza and praising Spain's support for the region.

"I know this is going to make me cry. In a place where you feel repression and censorship, to see Spain, and to see the President, and to see what he says and the support that he's giving about Gaza, and to have actors like Javier Bardem come forward with such a strong voice, is so important to us in the United States," said Sarandon, starting to cry.

Advertisement

Photo by Pablo Cuadra on Getty Images (Photo by Pablo Cuadra on Getty Images)

🎬 SIGN UP for Parade’s Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬

Facing Consequences in Hollywood

Sarandon went on to say that as a result of her calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, she ultimately couldn't find work in Hollywood. Instead, she largely works with indie directors in Europe.

“I was fired by my agency, specifically for marching and speaking out about Gaza, for asking for a ceasefire,” Sarandon said. “It became impossible for me to even be on television. I don’t know lately if it’s changed. I couldn’t do any major film or anything connected with Hollywood."

Sarandon was fired from her agency, UTA, in 2023 after she made controversial comments at a pro-Palestine rally in New York City, Variety previously reported.

To watch Sarandon's full discussion ahead of the Goya Awards ceremony, click below:

Related: ‘Thelma & Louise’ Stars Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis Reunite 34 Years Later and Haven’t Changed a Bit

This story was originally published by Parade on Feb 28, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Original Article on Source

Source: “AOL Entertainment”