Donald Sutherland, the celebrated actor known for his diverse and memorable roles spanning five decades, has passed away at the age of 88.
Sutherland’s career was marked by a wide range of acclaimed performances, from his early breakthroughs in films like The Dirty Dozen and MASH, to his roles in Oscar-winning films such as Klute and Ordinary People, and his portrayal of the villainous President Coriolanus Snow in The Hunger Games franchise.
The Emmy Award-winning actor died today at his home in Miami after battling a long illness, confirmed by his agency CAA to Deadline.
Born on July 17, 1935, in New Brunswick, Canada, Sutherland later moved to Bridgewater, Nova Scotia. Despite battling serious illnesses including polio, rheumatic fever, and spinal meningitis during his childhood, he pursued his passion for acting at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art before finding success in television and low-budget films.
Sutherland gained Hollywood prominence with his role in the classic war film The Dirty Dozen, where he starred alongside Lee Marvin, Charles Bronson, Ernest Borgnine, and Jim Brown. His portrayal of “Hawkeye” Pierce in the 1970 film MASH further solidified his place as a leading actor of his generation. Throughout the 1970s, he continued to deliver notable performances in films such as Klute, Don’t Look Now, and Invasion of the Body Snatchers, and also made an impact in the comedy genre with Animal House.
In 1980, Sutherland starred in Ordinary People, directed by Robert Redford, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture. His career continued to flourish with roles in films like Backdraft, JFK, Six Degrees of Separation, The Italian Job, and Pride and Prejudice.
Beyond film, Sutherland found success on television, winning an Emmy Award for his role in the 1995 film Citizen X and a Golden Globe for Path to War. He captivated a new generation of viewers with his portrayal of President Coriolanus Snow in The Hunger Games series.
Despite never receiving an Oscar nomination, Sutherland was honored with an Academy Honorary Award in 2017 for his lifetime of exceptional performances. He was also recognized with stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2011 and the Canadian Walk of Fame in 2000.
Sutherland was married three times, most notably to actress Francine Racette for 52 years until his passing. He is survived by his five children, including his son Kiefer Sutherland, known for his role as Jack Bauer in 24.
Reflecting on his father’s legacy, Kiefer Sutherland remarked, “I was too young to watch my father’s films in the cinema. By the time I was 20, VHS was available, and a friend of my father’s had many of his films. In three days, I watched Don’t Look Now, Klute, MASH*, Kelly’s Heroes, 1900, and Fellini’s Casanova… It was such a wide spectrum of characters.”
Rest in peace to the iconic Donald Sutherland, whose talent enriched countless classic films. You will be deeply missed.
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