Donald Sutherland dead: Legendary MASH and Hunger Games actor dies at 88

Sutherland enjoyed a long and distinguished career (AFP/Robyn Beck)

Legendary Hollywood actor Donald Sutherland, whose career stretched from the 1970s to the 2020s, has died at the age of 88 following “a long illness”.

Sutherland burst onto the scene in the late 1960s before starring in several 70s classics such as Klute, MASH, Don’t Look Now and Animal House.

He was considered one of the greatest actors to never have received an Academy Award nomination however he was bestowed with an honourary statuette in 2017.

Canadian Sutherland was the father of Emmy-winning 24 actor Kiefer Sutherland.

He is survived by his wife Francine Racette, sons Roeg, Rossif, Angus, and Kiefer and daughter Rachel. The star had four grandchildren.

Kiefer paid tribute to his father describing him as “one of the most important actors in the history of film”.

Sharing a black and white photo of himself as a child with his father on X, formerly Twitter, he wrote: “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.”

Kiefer is also known for his roles in films Phone Booth and The Three Musketeers.A private celebration of Sutherland’s life will be held by the family, his agent confirmed to the PA news agency.

A statement from the CAA group said: “Acclaimed actor Donald Sutherland died today in Miami, Florida, after a long illness. He was 88 years old.”

Sutherland won a Golden Globe for the television movie Path to War and an Emmy Award for his performance in the miniseries Citizen X.

Extensive TV credits include The Undoing, Trust, Dirty Sexy Money, and The Pillars of the Earth.