Legendary actor Donald Sutherland has died at the age of 88.
The Hollywood star, who had a film career spanning over seven decades, has died as son Kiefer Sutherland paid emotional tribute. Alongside a black and white photo of them together he said: "With a heavy heart, I tell you that my father, Donald Sutherland, has passed away. I personally think one of the most important actors in the history of film. Never daunted by a role, good, bad or ugly. He loved what he did and did what he loved, and one can never ask for more than that. A life well lived."
Sutherland broke onto the acting scene back in the late 1960s and starred in several classic films of the 70s including Klute, MASH, Don’t Look Now and Animal House. He is survived by his wife Francine Racette, sons Roeg, Rossif, Angus, and Kiefer and daughter Rachel. The actor has had four grandchildren.
His agent CAA also confirmed the news of Sutherland's death to PA agency as they said: “Acclaimed actor Donald Sutherland died today in Miami, Florida, after a long illness. He was 88 years old.” A private celebration of life will be held by the family. Sutherland won a Golden Globe for the television movie Path To War and another gong along with an Emmy Award for the the mini-series Citizen X.
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In 2017 he received an Academy Honorary Award for his acting. Sutherland’s most recent roles included The Hunger Games film franchise as dictator president Coriolanus Snow, and as a judge in the 2023 TV show Lawmen: Bass Reeves. Sutherland was born on July 17, 1935 in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada.
Donald's son Kiefer paid tribute on social media (WireImage)As a child, he had rheumatic fever, hepatitis, and poliomyelitis. He started his first part-time job at the age of 14 as a news correspondent for local radio station CKBW. Sutherland went on to study at Victoria University, an affiliated college of the University of Toronto, where he met his first wife Lois May Hardwick. He graduated with a double major in engineering and drama.
Sutherland decided to head to Britain in 1957 where he studied at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. He then went on to spend a year at the Perth Repertory Theatre in Scotland before gaining roles in British TV and films.
He racked up an impressive 200 film and TV credits throughout his career. His big break in movies came with Robert Aldrich’s star-packed 1967 World War II drama The Dirty Dozen, playing Vernon Pinkley opposite Lee Marvin, Ernest Borgnine, Charles Bronson, George Kennedy and Telly Savalas.
Sutherland received various honours throughout his life including inductions into the Canadian Walk of Fame in 2000 and Hollywood Walk of Fame 2011. He was made an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1978, a Commandeur of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in 2012 and received the Companion of the Order of Canada in 2019. In October 2023, Canada Post issued a stamp in his honour, commemorating his career as one of Canada's most respected and versatile actors.
Donald Sutherland had a career spanning seven decadesSutherland married three times throughout his life - first to Lois May Hardwick from 1959 to 1966 and then to Canadian actress Shirley Douglas from 1966 to 1970. He welcomed two children - twins Kiefer and Rachel - with Shirley. From 1970 to 1972 the actor had an affair with Klute co-star Jane Fonda.
Sutherland then married actress Francine Racette in 1972, after meeting her on the set of the Canadian pioneer drama Alien Thunder. They have three sons – Rossif, Angus and Roeg. The couple named their sons after directors Sutherland had worked with - Warren Kiefer, Nicolas Roeg and Frédéric Rossif.
Sutherland’s son Roeg is an executive at the talent agency CAA, and his sons Rossif and Angus have also worked as actors. During the 2008 United States presidential election campaign, Sutherland became a blogger for The Huffington Post where he shared his support for Barack Obama.
Tributes have poured in for the actor as American director Ron Howard said: "#RIPDonaldSutherland. I was blessed to direct him in #Backdraft. One of the most intelligent, interesting & engrossing film actors of all time. Incredible range, creative courage & dedication to serving the story & the audience with supreme excellence."
Sutherland was married to actress Francine Racette
The actor had five children and four grandchildrenFilmmaker Edgar Wright shared: "RIP the great Donald Sutherland, a favourite actor and always fascinating screen presence. He starred in two of my very favourite and most influential films - ‘Don’t Look Now’ and the 1978 ‘Invasion Of The Bodysnatchers’. But that is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of his legendary filmography; a funny, laconic, but also intense and dramatic presence in so many memorable movies, starting with his break-through in ‘The Dirty Dozen’, and then on an incredible run in the 70’s, 80’s and beyond with ‘M*A*S*H’, ‘Kelly’s Heroes’, ‘Little Murders’, ‘Klute’, ‘Don’t Look Now’, ‘The Day Of The Locust’, ‘Ordinary People’ and ‘JFK’, among many others.
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"I even adore his very early appearances in ‘Dr Terror’s House Of Horrors’ and ‘The World Ten Times Over’, as well as his very silly cameo in ‘Kentucky Fried Movie’. I know many of you following me will feel the same way about this great screen legend’s passing, so please list your favourite Donald Sutherland films. So sorry to see you go Donald, but what a legacy you leave behind."
Actor John Fugelsang wrote: "I got to see Donald Sutherland onstage in Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt’s "Enigma Variations" at The Mark Taper Forum in LA. He was an underrated stage actor. Off the top of my head, I'm grateful for his work in 10. MASH. 9. Don't Look Now. 8. Bertolucci's "1900." 7. Klute. 6. "A Dry White Season" with Brando. 5. Heaven Help Us. 4. Murder By Decree. 3. Ordinary People. 2. Kaufman's "Invasion of the Body Snatchers." #1. In Stone's "JFK" he appears in one scene; his dialogue is 100% exposition; and he gives a master class in pacing tone and understatement."
Sutherland died following a long illnessEnglish actor James Dreyfus commented: "This actor! This AMAZING actor. A staple in my life through incredible performances “Ordinary People, Don’t Look Now, Klute, Die! Die! My Darling!, Invasion of The Body Snatchers” etc etc. Quirky, versatile, always honest & brilliant. Wonderful. RIP Donald Sutherland." Lord of the Rings star Elijah Wood added: "aww man. farewell, Donald Sutherland."
Rob Lowe shared: "Today we lost one of our greatest actors, Donald Sutherland. It was my honor to work with him many years ago, and I will never forget his charisma and ability. If you want a master class in acting, watch him in “Ordinary People”. My condolences to Kiefer."
The Hunger Games' official account shared a post that read: "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."
Broadcaster Piers Morgan said: "RIP Donald Sutherland, 88. One of my all-time favourite actors who played so many great roles. What a sad loss." Actress Glorida Mann commented: "So very sorry for the loss of your brilliant father. He was one of my favorite actors from an early age. I watched everything he was in. He made everything better. Sending you & your family my deepest condolences. May he Rest In Peace."
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