Susan Sarandon Boards Lifetime's Marilyn Monroe Miniseries

According to Deadline, Oscar winner Susan Sarandon has joined the cast of Lifetime's upcoming miniseries based on the life of Hollywood legend Marilyn Monroe.

Sarandon will play Monroe's "mentally ill mother" in the series, based on J. Randy Taraborrelli's book titled "The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe". Stephen Kronish ("The Kennedys", "24") will pen the script with Laurie Collyer set to direct. From Asylum Entertainment, Kronish will also executive produce along with Jonathan Koch, Steven Michaels and Keri Selig. As of now, the project is titled simply 'Marilyn.'

The series joins a host of other small screen adaptations set to debut on Lifetime, including Anita Diamant's "The Red Tent", Stephen King telepic "Big Driver," and "The Unauthorized Saved by the Bell Story" based on series star Dustin Diamond's, "Behind the Bell."

Susan is an Academy Award-winning actor who has made a career of choosing diverse and challenging projects in both film and television. She is extremely versatile and brings her own brand of sex appeal and intelligence to every role - from her fearless portrayal in Bull Durham to her Oscar-nominated performances in Thelma and Louise, Lorenzo's Oil, The Client, and Atlantic City to her Academy Award-winning and SAG Award-winning role in Dead Man Walking. Other film credits include the 1975 cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Pretty Baby, Stepmom, The Lovely Bones, Enchanted, Little Women, Safe Passage, White Palace, The Witches of Eastwick, and many, many others.

She has also been a featured television actor. In 2008, she received an Emmy Nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries for her role in the HBO film Bernard and Doris, as well as a Golden Globe and SAG nomination. She received an Emmy and SAG nomination for her work in Barry Levinson's You Don't Know Jack with Al Pacino for HBO.

Upcoming projects include The Last of Robin Hood with Kevin Kline and Dakota Fanning, The Calling with Ellen Burstyn, Topher Grace and Donald Sutherland and Tammy with Melissa McCarthy.

Ms. Sarandon is an activist for many progressive and political causes. In 2006, she received the Action Against Hunger Humanitarian Award. She was honored for her work as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, an advocate for victims of hunger and HIV/AIDS, and a spokesperson for Heifer International. She is also involved with Hope North.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride

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