Long before winning an Academy Award and cementing her status as a cinematic icon, Susan Sarandon was the oldest of nine children growing up in a bustling household in Queens, New York. While Hollywood knows her for powerful performances in Thelma & Louise and Dead Man Walking, her earliest role was that of a second mother to her four brothers and four sisters. Navigating fame while holding onto a sprawling working-class family background shaped her career in ways few fans realize.
Growing Up as the Eldest of Nine
Born Susan Abigail Tomalin in 1946, she was the firstborn of Phillip Leslie Tomalin, an advertising executive and television producer, and Leonora Marie Criscione. With eight younger siblings following closely behind, domestic life was chaotic, demanding, and fiercely tight-knit.
Susan has often spoken about how shouldering heavy sibling responsibilities at an early age prepared her for the intense pressures of show business. Her brothers and sisters frequently looked to her as a surrogate parental figure, fostering an innate leadership style that later spilled over into her prominent political activism and outspoken career choices. The family's Welsh, Italian, and Irish roots heavily influenced their strict Catholic upbringing, creating an environment where teamwork and resilience were mandatory for survival.
Meet Susan Sarandon Brothers and Sisters
The Tomalin siblings pursued varied paths, with some stepping into the entertainment industry while others built quiet lives away from tabloid glare.
- Phillip L. Tomalin Jr.: Born in 1952, Phillip followed his older sister into the film industry, carving out a successful career behind the camera as a crew member on major feature films like Stargate and Crash.
- Terry Tomalin: A gifted writer and journalist, Terry worked for years as the outdoors editor for the Tampa Bay Times. He passed away in 2016 at the age of 55, leaving behind a legacy of environmental advocacy and regional sports journalism.
- O'Brian Tomalin: Operating behind the scenes in Hollywood, O'Brian worked on productions like Bull Durham and wrote for films during the 1970s. He later transitioned into entrepreneurship and family life.
- Meredith Carroll: Meredith built a creative career, working as a floral designer and manager in Massachusetts.
- Amanda, Bonnie, Missy, and Tim: The remaining siblings largely chose private lives outside the public eye, working in trades, raising families, and maintaining the close bonds forged during their chaotic childhood in New York.
Behind the Scenes: Industry Contributions
It's a common misconception that Susan was the only member of the Tomalin family to make a living in cinema. Both Phillip Jr. and O'Brian spent decades working inside the Hollywood machinery. Having siblings who understood the grueling hours, erratic schedules, and production environments provided Susan with an anchor. When studio pressures mounted during her breakout years in the 1970s and 1980s, her brothers and sisters offered a grounding reality check that prevented Hollywood excess from derailing her.
Navigating Fame Without Losing Family
Maintaining a massive family while navigating A-list celebrity status requires firm boundaries. Susan managed this by keeping her core personal relationships private while letting her political convictions take center stage publicly.
Unlike modern internet-first stars, the Tomalin siblings grew up before the era of 24/7 digital surveillance. This allowed them to support Susan's milestones—such as her Academy Award win for Dead Man Walking—without becoming permanent fixtures of the gossip columns. Whenever interviewers ask about her secret to longevity in a notoriously fickle industry, she frequently points back to the grounding influence of her upbringing. When you grow up sharing a bathroom with nine people, red-carpet anxiety loses its edge.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many brothers and sisters does Susan Sarandon have?
Susan Sarandon has eight siblings—four brothers and four sisters. She is the oldest of the nine Tomalin children.
Did any of her siblings become actors?
None of her siblings pursued acting as a primary career, but her brothers Phillip L. Tomalin Jr. and O'Brian Tomalin worked extensively behind the scenes in film production and writing.
What was Susan Sarandon's maiden name?
Her birth name is Susan Abigail Tomalin. She took the professional surname Sarandon from her first husband, actor Chris Sarandon, whom she married in 1967.
Are all of the Tomalin siblings still alive?
Most of the siblings maintain private lives, but her brother Terry Tomalin passed away in May 2016 at the age of 55.
