Actor Donald Sutherland. Photo credit: Getty Images.
Renowned actor Donald Sutherland, known for his memorable roles in films such as “MAS*H,” “Klute,” and “The Hunger Games,” has passed away at the age of 88.
According to a statement from his agency, Creative Artists Agency (CAA), actor Sutherland died on Thursday in Miami following a prolonged illness.
“With a heavy heart, I tell you that my father, Donald Sutherland, has passed away,” Kiefer Sutherland, Donald Sutherland’s son, shared in a heartfelt Instagram post on Thursday. “I personally think one of the most important actors in the history of film. Never daunted by a role, good, bad or ugly.”
Kiefer Sutherland continued, highlighting his father’s passion and dedication to his craft: “He loved what he did and did what he loved, and one can never ask for more than that. A life well lived.”
Donald Sutherland’s career is marked by a long list of achievements and accolades. Known for his tall stature, distinct appearance, and intense screen presence, Sutherland won an Emmy for his portrayal of a Soviet official in the 1995 TV movie “Citizen X,” which was based on true events. Additionally, he earned two Golden Globes during his extensive career, which spanned over six decades and included nearly 200 film and TV roles. More recent notable performances include his portrayal of oil tycoon J. Paul Getty in the limited series “Trust” and his role in HBO’s “The Undoing.”
Sutherland’s ascent to fame began with his role in the 1967 star-studded film “The Dirty Dozen,” which became a significant hit. He followed this success with another war movie, “Kelly’s Heroes.” His portrayal of the witty doctor Hawkeye Pierce in the film adaptation of “MAS*H” solidified his reputation as a versatile actor. He further showcased his range by starring opposite Jane Fonda in “Klute,” a crime mystery where Fonda played a high-class call girl—a role that earned her an Oscar. Sutherland and Fonda also had an off-screen relationship around the time they made the film.
Throughout the 1970s, Sutherland’s versatility was evident as he took on diverse roles. He starred in a chilling remake of the horror film “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” and played a pot-smoking professor in the comedy “Animal House.” His role opposite Julie Christie in the 1973 film “Don’t Look Now” directed by Nicolas Roeg became infamous for its explicit sex scene, which had to be edited to avoid an X rating.
Sutherland’s career continued with a steady stream of roles across various genres. He had a small but crucial part in Oliver Stone’s “JFK,” and contributed to films such as “Ordinary People” (which won the Oscar for Best Picture), “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Backdraft,” and “The Italian Job.” One of his standout performances was as the legendary lover in Federico Fellini’s “Fellini’s Casanova.” In more recent years, he became widely recognized by younger audiences for his role as the villainous President Snow in “The Hunger Games” series.
Donald Sutherland’s life began in Saint John, New Brunswick, where he faced numerous health challenges as a child, including polio. He attended the University of Toronto, initially studying engineering before discovering his passion for drama, ultimately graduating with degrees in both fields. It was during his college years that he met his first wife, Lois Hardwick. The two married in 1959, and Sutherland later moved to London to pursue stage work before making his way to Hollywood in the 1960s. His roles in “The Dirty Dozen” and “MAS*H” propelled him to stardom.
In the mid-1960s, Sutherland’s marriage to Lois Hardwick ended in divorce, and he subsequently married actress Shirley Douglas, whom he met while filming the horror movie “Castle of the Living Dead.” They had two children, Kiefer and Rachel, with Rachel pursuing a career in film as a post-production supervisor. This marriage also ended in divorce, and in 1972, Sutherland married actress Francine Racette, with whom he had three sons.
In a 2020 interview with “The Undoing” co-star Hugh Grant for Interview magazine, Sutherland revealed that he was always extremely nervous at the start of filming, often vomiting the night before. He also spoke about his approach to acting, mentioning how he would subtly alter his dialogue to better suit his delivery, aiming to make the lines fit his mouth naturally.
Actor Sutherland appeared in three films with his son Kiefer, starting with the 1983 comedy-drama “Max Dugan Returns,” followed by the John Grisham adaptation “A Time to Kill.” However, it wasn’t until the 2016 western “Forsaken” that they performed together in a scene. Reflecting on the experience, Kiefer Sutherland told “Good Morning America” that acting alongside his father was a cherished memory and a highlight of his career.
Asked for advice to young actors, Sutherland told Reuters in 2019, “Try and be as truthful as you possibly can, read, read a lot, learn, memorize things, enjoy your artistry, study dancing, be a circus performer, learn how to juggle, so many things, but mostly you have to observe.”
In recognition of his contributions to the film industry, Sutherland received an honorary award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 2017 and was honored with the Order of Canada.
In his later years, Sutherland continued to work actively. In 2022, he starred alongside Halle Berry and Patrick Wilson in the space thriller “Moonfall” and appeared in the Roku TV mini-series “Swimming with Sharks.” His final role was in the 2023 Paramount+ western drama “Lawmen: Bass Reeves.”
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