Which film earned Susan Sarandon an Academy Award for Best Actress?

‘Dead Man Walking’ was a 1995 American crime drama film starring Susan Sarandon and Sean Penn, co-produced and directed by Tim Robbins. He adapted the screenplay from the 1993 non-fiction book of the same name by author Sister Helen Prejean (born 1939), a religious Sister of St. Joseph.

The 122 minute film follows the story of Sister Helen Prejean played by Sarandon who establishes a special relationship with Matthew Poncet, played by Penn, a character on death row in Louisiana. Prejean visits Poncet as his spiritual adviser after corresponding with him.

Budgeted at $11 million, the box office receipts were $83 million and the film was a critical success praised for the performances of Penn and Sarandon, as well as Robbins’ direction. She won the Academy Award for Best Actress, while Robbins, Penn and Bruce Springsteen were nominated for Best Director, Best Actor and Best Original Song, respectively, for the single “Dead Man Walking’.

In the movie, there is a scene where Sister Helen Prejean can be seen briefly in the candlelight vigil scene outside the prison protesting the death penalty with the rest of the cast. She joined the religious life in 1957 and is known around the world for her tireless work against the death penalty.

Susan Sarandon (born 1946) is an American actress and activist who has received numerous other accolades and awards. In 2002, she was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for her contributions to the film industry.