Actress Susan Sarandon, 79, revealed that her outspoken political views have recently led to film roles being removed from her professional opportunities. She stated that agencies are still advising against her hiring, impacting her career within the industry.
"I’ve still had movies taken away recently, because there are agencies that are telling people not to hire me still. But that’s the power structure," Sarandon told People at the Venice Film Festival. She suggested that while the industry's power structure remains resistant, the broader narrative and public awareness have shifted.
Sarandon, who is promoting her new film "The Echo Chamber" at the festival, noted that director Andrea Pallaoro proceeded with casting her despite receiving warnings. "I thank Andrea for that, because he didn’t listen to the warnings," she said. She added that while she feels welcome internationally and has found a supportive community, "there are still very strongly held positions within my industry held by Zionists and [those] who have not relaxed their feelings towards me."
Earlier in 2026, Sarandon had spoken about being allegedly blacklisted from Hollywood after making pro-Palestinian remarks and calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. She recounted being dropped by her talent agency and finding it difficult to appear on television or in major film productions following these statements.
She also claimed that foreign filmmakers have been discouraged from working with her, citing an Italian director who was advised not to hire her for "The Echo Chamber." This director, she noted, disregarded the advice.
In late 2023, Sarandon faced controversy for a comment made at a rally in New York City, which she later apologized for, stating her intention was to highlight the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. In a late 2026 interview with The Times of London, she reflected on how this controversy led to her agent's departure and her exclusion from mainstream studio films, stating, "I was dropped by my agency, my projects were pulled. I've been used as an example of what not to do if you want to continue to work."