Acclaimed Actor Donald Sutherland Dies At 88 After Long Illness

Acclaimed actor Donald Sutherland has died at the age of 88. The renowned Canadian, known for his iconic roles in films such as The Hunger Games series and M*A*S*H, died from a long-standing illness on June 20.

Sutherland’s son, Kiefer, 57, the star of the hit TV show 24, posted a photo of his father on X, accompanied by the statement. 

“With a heavy heart, I tell you that my father, Donald Sutherland, has passed away,” Kiefer said. “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.”

Sutherland’s extensive and celebrated career spanned over six decades. Born in Saint John, Canada, the actor’s breakthrough roles in the 1967 film The Dirty Dozen and Robert Altman‘s M*A*S*H catapulted him into the public consciousness and paved the way for a remarkable body of work.

Throughout his career, Sutherland gave multiple unforgettable performances in various genres, from the dramatic roles in Klute and Ordinary People to the action-packed thrills of Kelly’s Heroes and The Eye of The Needle.

In recent years, Sutherland’s portrayal of the menacing President Coriolanus Snow in the wildly popular Hunger Games franchise further cemented his legacy as an actor. 

Sutherland’s contributions to the industry extended beyond the screen. He also created a distinguished television career. His performances in the television movie Path to War and the miniseries Citizen X earned him a Golden Globe and an Emmy Award.

The news of Sutherland’s passing has been met with an outpour of grief and tributes from his peers and admirers within the entertainment industry. Tom Blyth, who portrayed the younger version of Sutherland’s iconic Hunger Games character in the 2023 prequel The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, expressed his respect and admiration for the late actor: “Donald Sutherland came about as close to mastering the craft of acting as anyone gets. So many genius performances. I never had the honor of knowing him personally, but it was the honor of a lifetime to follow in his footsteps. Thank you, sir, for birthing one of the great movie characters of all time.”

Sutherland is survived by his wife, Francine Racette, his five children and four grandchildren.