Happy Birthday, Susan Sarandon!

Sarandon, who's almost as noted for her political activism as she is for her acting, turns 65 today. Over the years she's enthralled us in dozens of films including "Bull Durham," "Thelma & Louise," and "Dead Man Walking," for which she won an Academy Award. Here are a few things you might not know about her:

We're Sure She Got An "A"

A graduate of the Catholic University of America, Sarandon studied drama with Rev. Gibert Hartke, the "show-biz priest" who created the university's drama department and was friends with theater legends like Helen Hayes.

She's The O.C. (Original Cougar)

Sarandon's famous for having been in a 21-year relationship with actor Tim Robbins, who's twelve years her junior. And according to the latest news, she's been involved with a guy who's half her age. (Bonus fact: the two have launched a Manhattan ping-pong facility.) No wonder she said in a 2010 interview with "Life & Style Weekly" that she'd invented the term "cougar" about thirty years ago.

And As Long As We're Discussing Cougars….

"It took me a long time to understand that I didn't have to mother every guy I was with," Sarandon has said. "When I stopped doing that, things got better."

Guess Who's Talking

She's done the narration for more than two dozen documentary films since 1983, covering everything from teacher-astronaut Christa McAuliffe to controversial issues like Hollywood's political influence.

See Also: The Fantastic Ms. Sarandon

Just Two Girls From The Garden State

Like another highly respected actress, Meryl Streep, Sarandon was a cheerleader in high school in New Jersey.

We Think Most Men Would Disagree

"The thing that's bad about breasts," Sarandon told an interviewer, "is that you have to choose between having a mind and having breasts. It'd be nice if you could have both. Anyway, I think my breasts have been highly overrated."

She Waved The Flag With Sophia Loren

Sarandon was one of eight women, including Sophia Loren, who carried the Olympic flag at the opening ceremony of the 2006 Games in Turin, Italy. It was a reunion for the two women, who'd made the movie "Lady Liberty" in 1971.

Cosmetic Surgery Is Just Fine By Her

Just because I haven't yet had any plastic surgery," she's said, "I'm not going to knock it…I think women have the right to do whatever they want to their bodies that make them feel good about themselves. "

She's Probably Hollywood's Most Famous Protester

Over the years, Sarandon has been a vocal supporter of liberal and progressive causes; she's consistently opposed the death penalty, protested the American war in Iraq and spoken out against racism. During anti-Wall Street demonstrations earlier this year, she visited a protesters' camp in downtown Manhattan. "I came down here to educate myself," she told reporters. "There's a huge gap between rich and poor in this country."

Family Still Comes First

Sarandon has three children: Eva Amurri, 26, her daughter with Italian director Franco Amurri; and Jack Henry and Miles Guthrie, her sons with Tim Robbins. Despite Sarandon's steady political activity, she knows that her kids are even more important: "I feel my family's needs are a priority. I'm not comfortable with the idea of serving the many and ignoring my family."

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