Donald Sutherland’s vast list of Hollywood credits is far too long (not to mention legendary) to name only a few while doing his career justice. That list, however, has now come to a close with news that the Ordinary People, The Italian Job, and The Dirty Dozen actor has died at age 88.
On Thursday afternoon, Deadline confirmed word from the CAA agency that Sutherland passed away “Thursday in Miami after a long illness.”
Donald’s son, Kiefer, has released a statement via Instagram:
“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.”
As already mentioned, Sutherland’s list of films and TV series is nearly unparalleled among actors — from Pride & Prejudice, Animal House, and Klute to M*A*S*H, Kelly’s Heroes, and JFK — and spans over 50 years. He’s renowned by several generations of audience members, particularly for his antiheroes and villains, of course including President Snow in the original The Hunger Games blockbuster films. Although it might seem unusual to single out this particular role, you would be hard pressed to find a cinemagoer from recent decades who doesn’t have his masterful performance pop into their heads immediately after hearing his name.
His most recent TV credits include Lawmen: Bass Reeves, The Undoing, and Swimming With Sharks. As Variety notes, Donald also turned down an opportunity to appear in 24 as the dad of Jack Bauer, portrayed by Kiefer Sutherland. The father and son did, however, appear in A Time To Kill and Forsaken together.
Sutherland has been survived by his five children (Kiefer, Rachel, Roeg, Rossif, and Angus), four grandchildren, and his wife, Francine Racette.
