Actor Donald Sutherland dead at 88

Donald Sutherland poses at the premiere of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 in Los Angeles, on Nov. 17, 2014. (Mario Anzuoni/Reuters - image credit)

Donald Sutherland, the Canadian actor whose career spanned more than six decades, has died at the age of 88.

His son, actor Kiefer Sutherland, confirmed his death on Thursday.

"With a heavy heart, I tell you that my father, Donald Sutherland, has passed away," read the post on X. "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."

Born Donald McNichol Sutherland in Saint John on July 17, 1935, the actor became a magnetic screen star whose penchant for a range of unconventional characters would sustain him throughout a seldom interrupted six-decade career. He starred in acclaimed movies of the 1970s and '80s, including M*A*S*H, Klute, Invasion of the Body Snatchers and Ordinary People.

His role as President Snow, the quietly sadistic antagonist in The Hunger Games franchise, made him a recognizable face among a new generation, as did his role in 2005's Pride and Prejudice.

Sutherland is survived by his five children — Kiefer, Rossif, Angus, Rachel and Roeg — his grandchildren, and his wife, Francine.

More to come.