Veteran actor Donald Sutherland died Thursday, June 20, at the age of 88, according to a statement. His extraordinary career spanned more than 60 years and featured nearly 200 film and TV credits. Sutherland recently appeared in the limited series “Trust” portraying oil tycoon J. Paul Getty, and he also had a significant role in HBO’s “The Undoing.”
Early Breakthroughs
Sutherland’s career took off after he landed a role in the star-studded 1967 war film, “The Dirty Dozen.” Following that success, he starred in another war-themed film, “Kelly’s Heroes,” and became widely known for his portrayal of the wisecracking doctor Hawkeye Pierce in the movie adaptation of “M*A*S*H.”
Iconic Roles
Among his critically acclaimed performances, Sutherland starred opposite Jane Fonda in the Oscar-winning film “Klute,” where he played a key role in the crime mystery. Additionally, younger audiences may recognize him as the sinister President Snow in “The Hunger Games” series.
A Fond Farewell
With a heavy heart, Kiefer Sutherland, his son, shared on Instagram, “With a heavy heart, I tell you that my father, Donald Sutherland, has passed away. I personally think he is one of the most important actors in the history of film. He was never daunted by a role, be it good, bad, or ugly.”
Career Highlights and Legacy
Throughout his prolific career, Donald Sutherland appeared in numerous acclaimed movies and shows, establishing himself as a versatile actor capable of taking on diverse roles. His contributions to cinema have earned him a place among the legends of the film industry.
Sutherland, right, had his breakout role in 1967’s “The Dirty Dozen.”Sutherland poses for a portrait in 1970. Jack Robinson/Hulton Archive/Getty ImagesSutherland, left, and Elliott Gould appear in the movie version of “M*A*S*H” in 1970.Sutherland holds his son Kiefer, who also went on to become an actor, circa 1970.Sutherland stars alongside Don Rickles in the war film “Kelly’s Heroes” in 1970. MGM Studios/Moviepix/Getty ImagesSutherland appears in the 1971 film “Klute.” Silver Screen Collection/Moviepix/Getty ImagesSutherland and “Klute” co-star Jane Fonda, center, perform in an anti-war show in 1971. Bettmann Archive/Getty ImagesSutherland poses for a portrait in Rome in 1975. Bardo Fabiani/WireImage/Getty ImagesDirector Federico Fellini embraces Sutherland on the set of “Fellini’s Casanova” in 1976.Sutherland appears in the 1978 remake of “Invasion of the Body Snatchers.”Sutherland and Timothy Hutton in 1980’s critically acclaimed “Ordinary People.” The movie won four Oscars.From left, actor Kevin Costner, Sutherland and director Oliver Stone talk on the set of “JFK” in Washington, DC, in 1991.Sutherland received an Emmy Award for his role as a Soviet official in the 1995 TV movie “Citizen X.”From left, Jena Malone, Sutherland, Rosamund Pike, Brenda Blethyn, Carey Mulligan, Keira Knightley and Talulah Riley appear in 2005’s “Pride and Prejudice.”Sutherland with his son Kiefer at the Golden Globe Awards in 2006. Kiefer had won an acting award for his starring role in the TV show “24.” He was also an executive producer on the show.Sutherland helps carry the Olympic flag during the opening ceremony of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Sutherland was born in Saint John, New Brunswick.Sutherland, joined by Leron Gubler and Colin Farrell, receives a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2011.Sutherland appears on the set of “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part I” in 2013.Sutherland signs autographs ahead of the premiere of “The Leisure Seeker” at the Venice Film Festival in 2017.Sutherland receives an honorary Academy Award in 2017.Sutherland plays Judge Isaac Parker in the 2023 series “Lawman: Bass Reeves.” The role was Sutherland’s final credit.
