Oscar winner Susan Sarandon says she was fired by agency for speaking on Gaza

• In Barcelona for the Goya Awards, Susan Sarandon revealed that she was fired by her agency and effectively blacklisted from major Hollywood films and television specifically for her public advocacy for a ceasefire in Gaza.
• An emotional Sarandon lauded Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and actor Javier Bardem for being on the "right side of history," contrasting Spain's moral clarity with the "repression and censorship" she claims currently dominates the US film industry.

Veteran Hollywood star Susan Sarandon on Friday revealed she was fired by her agency for “specifically for marching and speaking out about Gaza, for asking for a ceasefire”.

“It became impossible for me to even be on television—I don't know lately if it's changed, but... and I couldn't do any major film, anything connected with, you know, Hollywood.

In statements to reporters in Barcelona, Sarandon also praised the Spanish government's support for Gaza, saying it was "on the right side of history".

"I think Spain is doing an incredible job," Sarandon, her voice trembling with emotion, said.

She lauded Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and actors such as Oscar-winner Javier Bardem for taking a strong public stand in support of Palestine.

"When you turn on the TV and see how strong Spain is and how clear you are morally on these issues, it makes you feel less alone," Sarandon said.

The star of "Thelma and Louise" called Spain's position "so important" in the United States, which she described as "a place where you feel repression and censorship".

Spain's Sanchez has been one of the most outspoken critics of ‘Israel's’ assault on Gaza, becoming the most senior European leader to refer to the conflict as a "genocide".

His leftist government broke with European allies in 2024 by recognising a Palestinian state, infuriating ‘Israel’.

"Whenever I have seen him, he has been on the right side of history and also said it in a very clear way." Sarandon said of Sanchez, describing him as "handsome and tall".

Sanchez thanked Sarandon, writing on X that "it is so moving for me that someone the whole of Spain has admired and respected for years has made such a wonderful public statement about our country".

Sarandon is in Barcelona to receive a lifetime achievement honour at Spain's top film awards, the Goyas.

She won the 1996 Best Actress Oscar for "Dead Man Walking", where she played a nun who supports a man sentenced to death.