Veteran actor Donald Sutherland has died at the age of 88 after a “long illness,” his agent confirmed on Thursday.
“Renowned actor Donald Sutherland passed away today in Miami, Florida after a long illness. He was 88,” CAA said in a statement to the PA agency.
Speaking on X, his son Kiefer, who is also an actor, paid an emotional tribute to his father.
“It is with a heavy heart that I inform you that my father Donald Sutherland has passed away. I personally consider him to be one of the most important actors in the history of film. He was never afraid of any role, whether it was good, bad or ugly. He loved what he did and did what he loved, and no one can ask for more. A life well lived,” he wrote, sharing a black and white photo of the two of them together.
Responding to his post, producer Ben Everard wrote: “The Dirty Dozen is a timeless film, as are many of his classics. Rest in peace to a wonderful actor.”
Offering condolences to the Sutherland family, one x user wrote, “So sorry for your loss. Your father was an incredible actor whose work will stand the test of time.”
“Your dad was one of my all time favourite people. MASH and many other great performances. I loved his cameo in JFK the most. RIP Mr Sutherland. Rest in peace Sutherland family,” said another.
A look back at Sutherland’s illustrious career
Sutherland was born in 1935 in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada and had a cinematic career spanning more than seven decades. He was famous for his performances in films such as Pride and Prejudice, M*A*S*H, The Hunger Games and Ad Astra, among many others.
The Canadian received two awards: a Golden Globe for the television film Path to War and an Emmy for the miniseries Citizen X. He was also honored with an Academy Honorary Award in 2017 for his brilliant acting.
Sutherland’s most recent appearances were as the Judge in the 2023 TV series Lawmen: Bass Reeves and as dictator President Coriolanus Snow in the Hunger Games film franchise.
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He has been honored with numerous awards throughout his life, such as being inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2011 and the Canadian Walk of Fame in 2000. In addition to being named a Companion of the Order of Canada in 2019, Sutherland was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1978 and a Commander of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in 2012. Canada Post will release a stamp in his honor in October 2023, marking his remarkable career as one of the country’s most respected and diverse actors.
Sutherland was the father of Emmy Award-winning actor Kiefer Sutherland, 57, and veteran CAA media finance executive Rog Sutherland.
Trust, The Pillars of the Earth, and Dirty Sexy Money are among his many television appearances.
He is survived by wife Francine Racette, four sons – Rog, Rossif, Angus and Kiefer, daughter Rachel and four grandchildren.
