(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Susan Sarandon felt a great deal of responsibility when the nation mourned the end of her relationship with Tim Robbins.

The American actress split from actor Tim, 51, last year. They had been in a relationship for 23 years and had two sons, Jack Henry, 21 and Miles Guthrie, 18. Although they never married, Susan, 63, and Tim were considered one of Hollywoods strongest couples, and their break-up had a profound effect on their fans.

Susan admits the attention from people in the street at the time was hard to deal with, because they almost made her feel she had let them down.

"The nation mourned. I had a lot of people who came up to me and were not as upset as I was - but were definitely upset. I did feel a sense of responsibility, because I knew that people had a certain idea of how I was and who we were, she told New York Magazine.

Susan went on to explain that she tried not to worry about what other people thought too much, because she knows she only really needs to concentrate on the opinions of those close to her.

"But on your deathbed, it's not really going to matter how those people felt," she added.

Susan and Tim met in 1988 when they were shooting the movie Bull Durham together, with Susan playing a fan of Tims sports star character who seduces him. (C) Cover Media