Submitted by FeatheredVentilator t3_10o8lz4 in movies
Susan Sarandon's been nominated in the Best Actress category at the Oscars in 5 different years (as many times as Judi Dench, Cate Blanchett, and Jessica Lange) and won in 1996 for "Dead Man Walking". Additionally, she's been nominated for 9 Golden Globes and 5 Emmys in acting categories.
She has also starred in many critically acclaimed and cult films, including "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" (1975), "Atlantic City" (1980), "The Hunger" (1983), "Thelma and Louise" (1991), Lorenzo's Oil (1992), and "Little Women" (1994), among others. Although many would argue that her acting isn't as physically transformative as that of say Streep or Blanchett, her filmography encompasses a wide range of roles in virtually all genres, including some international and European productions.
On top of that, she holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in drama and has studied under the famous drama coach Gilbert V. Hartke.
In short, she's been nominated for prestigious accolades as many times as some of the most highly regarded actresses out there (and won a few times too), has training in drama, more than enough iconic/cult/highly acclaimed films under her belt, tends to be intentional and insightful when discussing acting, and has been consistently working for the past 53 years. Why, then, does she not tend to be included in discussions about our greatest living actresses?
Did being a major movie star have an impact on this? Is she not "method" enough for some? (She did shave her forehead to attain Bette Davis' hairline, though). Did being fiercely outspoken about politics and unafraid to call b*llshit in Hollywood hurt her? I wonder what your thoughts are. I think she's talented and, with the right projects, her abilities do shine through.
I know she's been in some lowbrow comedies in recent decades, but that's not particularly unusual for an actor of her age.