Actor Donald Sutherland Dies At 88
Donald Sutherland, the esteemed actor known for his roles in hit movies including “The Dirty Dozen,” “The Hunger Games” and more, has died. He was 88.
Sutherland died Thursday in Miami following a long illness, Deadline reported. Sutherland’s son, Kiefer Sutherland, confirmed the news on social media.
“With a heavy heart, I tell you that my father, Donald Sutherland, has passed away,” wrote Kiefer Sutherland, who followed in his dad’s footsteps as an actor. “I personally think [he was] 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.”
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… pic.twitter.com/3EdJB03KKT
— Kiefer Sutherland (@RealKiefer) June 20, 2024
The late Sutherland’s roles included Vernon Pinkley in “The Dirty Dozen,” the iconic World War II film from 1967. In 1970, he found himself starring in another memorable war film, “M.A.S.H.,” in which he played the charismatic Hawkeye Pierce.
Although he played numerous soldiers, Sutherland was an anti-war activist; he even joined “Klute” co-star Jane Fonda on an anti-Vietnam War road show. His anti-war stance put him on the National Security Agency’s watch list between 1971 and 1973.
Throughout the 2010s, Sutherland became known to younger audiences by playing President Snow, the main villain in the “Hunger Games” movie franchise.
During that time, Sutherland and Kiefer Sutherland had the chance to finally work together as well, appearing in the 2016 film “Forsaken.”
Prior to his passing, Sutherland wrote a memoir, “Made Up, But Still True,” that’s set for release in November.
“With his raw honesty and wicked sense of humor, the renowned actor chronicles his life in this generation-defining book, cataloging with powerful detail his far too many brushes with death, his loving relationship with his parents, and behind-the-scenes stories of the movies he’s starred in,” book publisher Crown said in a statement.
Sutherland is survived by wife Francine Racette, daughter Rachel Sutherland and four sons: Kiefer, Roeg, Rossif and Angus Sutherland.
