Chris Sarandon surname was originally "Sarondonethes", was born in Istanbul, Turkey, of Greek ancestry; his mother is also of Greek descent. Sarandon graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in Beckley. He earned a degree in speech at West Virginia University. He earned his master's degree in theater from The Catholic University of America (CUA) in Washington, D.C.. While attending CUA, he married classmate Susan Tomalin in 1967. After graduating, they both pursued acting careers, with Tomalin taking his surname as her professional name, Susan Sarandon. They were married until 1979. After graduation, he toured with numerous improvisational companies and became much involved
Glenn Close television movie "Orphan Train" and "Too Far to Go". The latter film, included Blythe Danner and Michael Moriarty in the cast, Close played Moriarty's lover. In 1980, director George Roy Hill discovered Close on Broadway and asked her to audition with Robin Williams for a role in "The World According to Garp," which would become her first film role. The 1980s proved to be Close's most successful decade in Hollywood. She made her debut film performance in "The World According to Garp" which earned Close her first Oscar nomination. She played Robin Williams' mother, despite being just four years older.