Ron Howard, Helen Mirren, Edgar Wright and More Remember Donald Sutherland: ‘Incredible Range, Creative Courage’

Tributes from all parts of Hollywood poured in for “MASH,” “Klute” and “The Hunger Games” star Donald Sutherland, who died at age 88 on Thursday. The honorary Oscar recipient died in Miami after a long illness.

Sutherland garnered over 200 film and TV credits over 60 years starring in films like “Ordinary People” and “Don’t Look Now.”

More from Variety

• Kiefer Sutherland Pays Tribute to Late Father Donald: 'One of the Most Important Actors in the History of Film'

• Donald Sutherland, Star of 'MASH,' 'Klute' and 'Hunger Games,' Dies at 88

• New 'Hunger Games' Prequel Movie, Based on Suzanne Collins' Next Novel, Set for 2026

Born in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada on July 17, 1935, Sutherland landed his first big role in 1967’s “The Dirty Dozen,” which later earned him a spot as surgeon Capt. “Hawkeye” Pierce in “MASH.”In thriller “Klute,” Sutherland starred as romantic lead and titular character John Klute across Jane Fonda’s Bree Daniels.

His son Kiefer Sutherland called him “one of the most important actors in the history of film.”

Helen Mirren, who starred with him in “The Leisure Seeker,” said in a statement, “Donald Sutherland was one of the smartest actors I ever worked with. He had a wonderful enquiring brain, and a great knowledge on a wide variety of subjects. He combined this great intelligence with a deep sensitivity, and with a seriousness about his profession as an actor. This all made him into the legend of film that he became. He was my colleague and became my friend. I will miss his presence in this world.”

Filmmaker, actor and 2017’s “Baby Driver” director Edgar Wright posted his tribute to X, praising Sutherland’s legacy in film and TV.

“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,'” Wright tweeted. “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. 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,” he continued. “So sorry to see you go Donald, but what a legacy you leave behind.”

Director Ron Howard wrote on X, “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.”

See more reactions below:

Author Margaret Atwood remembered a fellow Canadian, writing on X that like her, he attended Victoria University, “Oh no! He went to Vic in Toronto..he was a great actor even then.”

Filmmaker Mark Cousins wrote, “Lucky to have known great movie actors. But #DonaldSutherland‘s death hits hard. Intellectually brilliant, full of doubt about his own beauty, searching. He loved talking abt books, sex, Fellini, Jane Fonda, politics. Dazzling.”

The Black List Founder and film and TV producer Franklin Leonard shared a tribute via X, saying “A legend has passed.”

Best of Variety

• New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 

• What's Coming to Disney+ in June 2024

• What's Coming to Netflix in June 2024

Sign up for Variety’s Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.