Renowned actor Donald Sutherland, celebrated for his performances in films such as “MASH,” “Klute,” and “The Hunger Games,” has passed away at the age of 88. His agency, CAA, confirmed his death, which occurred in Miami following a prolonged illness.
Sutherland’s son, Kiefer Sutherland, shared the news of his father’s passing on Instagram, expressing his admiration for his father’s talent and dedication to his craft. He described his father as an actor who was never deterred by any role, regardless of its nature. He also emphasized his father’s love for acting and his satisfaction in his chosen career, describing his life as “well-lived.”
Standing tall at 6’4″, Sutherland was known for his intense on-screen presence. His acting prowess earned him an Emmy for his portrayal of a Soviet official in the HBO movie “Citizen X,” and two Golden Globe awards. His career, spanning over half a century, included more than 140 film credits. His recent roles included playing oil tycoon J. Paul Getty in the limited series “Trust” and a part in HBO’s “The Undoing.”
Sutherland’s breakthrough role came in the 1967 film “The Dirty Dozen,” which was a significant hit. He followed this success with another war film, “Kelly’s Heroes,” before starring in “MASH” and “Klute.” His versatility as an actor was evident in his diverse roles, which ranged from a remake of the horror film “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” to a comedic role in “Animal House.”
Sutherland’s filmography also included roles in Oliver Stone’s “JFK,” “Ordinary People,” “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Backdraft,” and “The Italian Job.” He also starred in “Fellini’s Casanova” and is remembered by younger audiences for his role as the villainous president in “The Hunger Games” series.
Born in Saint John, New Brunswick, Sutherland overcame health challenges in his childhood, including polio. He studied engineering at the University of Toronto before shifting his focus to drama. He married three times and had five children, including Kiefer and Rachel, who also works in the film industry.
In a 2020 interview, Sutherland revealed that he often felt nervous before the start of a film shoot, to the point of vomiting the night before. He also shared that he would subtly modify his dialogue to make it more natural for him. He appeared in three films with his son Kiefer, with their first on-screen scene together occurring in the 2016 western “Forsaken.”
Sutherland’s advice to young actors was to strive for truthfulness, read extensively, learn, memorize, and enjoy their artistry. He received an honorary award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences board in 2017 and was honored with the Order of Canada.