Veteran Actor Donald Sutherland Passes Away at 88
Renowned Canadian actor Donald Sutherland, celebrated for his roles in films like The Hunger Games and Don’t Look Now, has died at the age of 88 after battling a prolonged illness.
Kiefer Sutherland, his son and fellow actor, shared the heartbreaking news: “With a heavy heart, I inform you of my father, Donald Sutherland’s passing. In my view, he was one of the most significant actors in film history. Fearless in his choice of roles, whether good, bad, or ugly, he truly loved his craft and lived life to the fullest.”
Sutherland’s illustrious career spanned over half a century, boasting nearly 200 credits. His death prompted an outpouring of tributes from fans and colleagues alike.
Rob Lowe, who acted alongside Sutherland in the miniseries Salem’s Lot, hailed him as “one of our greatest actors.” On social media, Lowe wrote, “It was an honor to work with him years ago. His charisma and talent were unforgettable.”
Cary Elwes, a co-star in the 2001 TV film Uprising, expressed his sorrow, saying he was “devastated” by Sutherland’s death. “Our hearts are breaking for you,” he conveyed to Kiefer on Instagram. “I am grateful to have known and worked with him. Sending our love.”
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also paid tribute, recalling his awe when meeting Sutherland for the first time. “My thoughts are with Kiefer and the entire Sutherland family, as well as all Canadians who are undoubtedly saddened by this news,” Trudeau said. “He was a man of strong presence, brilliance in his craft, and a truly great Canadian artist.”
Director Ron Howard, who worked with Sutherland on the 1991 film Backdraft, praised him as “one of the most intelligent, interesting, and engrossing film actors of all time.”
Born in New Brunswick, Canada, Sutherland began his career as a radio news reporter before moving to London in 1957 to study at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. He initially took on small roles in British film and television.
Sutherland’s breakout roles came in war films such as The Dirty Dozen (1967), Kelly’s Heroes (1970), and MASH* (1970). In 1971, he starred alongside Jane Fonda in Alan J. Pakula’s thriller Klute, where they also dated for two years.
The 1970s saw Sutherland’s versatility with roles like an IRA member in The Eagle Has Landed, a pot-smoking professor in National Lampoon’s Animal House, and the lead in the 1978 remake of Invasion of the Body Snatchers. In the 1980s, he portrayed the father of a troubled teenager in the Oscar-winning Ordinary People.
Transitioning to television in the 2000s, Sutherland appeared in series such as Dirty Sexy Money and Commander-in-Chief. Despite his extensive filmography, he never received an Oscar nomination, although he was honored with an Academy Award in 2017.
A passionate political activist, Sutherland protested against the Vietnam War alongside Jane Fonda and infused his beliefs into roles like President Snow in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2. He hoped the film’s message would inspire young fans to become more socially aware.
Following his death, the official Hunger Games Twitter account posted, “We asked the kindest man in the world to portray the most corrupt, ruthless dictator we’ve ever seen. Such was the power and skill of Donald Sutherland’s acting that he created one more indelible character among many others that defined his legendary career. We are privileged to have known and worked with him, and our thoughts are with his family.”
In a 2015 BBC interview, Sutherland reflected on the industry’s evolution, noting that actors now make “a lot of money,” a stark contrast to his early career earnings. He shared that retirement was not in his plans: “It’s a passionate endeavor. Retirement for actors is spelt ‘DEATH.'”
Sutherland’s memoir, Made Up, But Still True, is set for publication in November.
