Kiefer Sutherland pays tribute to his father, saying he "loved what he did and did what he loved."
Donald Sutherland, seated comfortably in a chair, became a towering figure in the world of acting [File: Chris Pizzello/Invision via AP Photo]. Published on 21 Jun 2024.
Donald Sutherland, the acclaimed Canadian actor who captivated audiences with films like MASH, Klute, and The Hunger Games, has died at the age of 88. His career, spanning from the 1960s into the 2020s, left a lasting legacy.
The actor passed away on Thursday, as announced by his son, Kiefer Sutherland, on social media.
“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,” Kiefer wrote on X.
Donald Sutherland, known for his deep voice, piercing blue eyes, and mischievous smile, effortlessly transitioned from character roles to romantic leads, starring opposite the likes of Jane Fonda and Julie Christie. Among his most iconic roles were Hawkeye Pierce in Robert Altman’s MASH and the despairing father in Robert Redford’s Oscar-winning Ordinary People.
He gained a new generation of fans with his portrayal of President Coriolanus Snow in The Hunger Games series, a role he actively sought. “I wish I could say thank you to all of the characters that I’ve played, thank them for using their lives to inform my life,” Sutherland said in his acceptance speech for an honorary Academy Award in 2017.
Born on July 17, 1935, in St John, New Brunswick, Donald McNichol Sutherland grew up in Nova Scotia. He performed in school productions and later studied acting at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. After small roles on British television, he made his Hollywood breakthrough in 1967 with The Dirty Dozen. MASH, released in 1970, propelled him to stardom.
Outspoken about his opposition to the Vietnam War, Sutherland co-founded the Free Theater Associates with Jane Fonda in 1971. Despite being banned by the army, they performed near military bases in Southeast Asia in 1973. Declassified documents revealed that Sutherland was on the National Security Agency’s Watch List from 1971 to 1973.
Sutherland’s distinguished performances included roles in Alan Pakula’s Klute and Nicolas Roeg’s Don’t Look Now. Tributes poured in after his death was announced.
Ron Howard, who directed Sutherland in Backdraft, called him “one of the most intelligent, interesting, and engrossing film actors of all time.”
British actress Helen Mirren, his co-star in 2017’s The Leisure Seeker, described him as a “legend of film” and a friend. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau praised Sutherland as a “brilliant artist” and a “great Canadian.”
Sutherland won an Emmy, two Golden Globes, and a BAFTA. He was married three times and had five children, including Kiefer. His memoir, Made Up, But Still True, is set to be released in November.
1 Comments
Wow
ReplyDelete