Image Source: Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File
Donald Sutherland, one of Canada’s most talented and diverse actors, has passed away at the age of 88. Sutherland, known for his roles in films such as “M*A*S*H,” “Klute,” “Ordinary People,” and the “Hunger Games” series, had a career that spanned from the 1960s into the 2020s. News about his death was shared by his son, actor Kiefer Sutherland via social media.
Sutherland’s distinctive presence, marked by his tall stature, deep voice, piercing blue eyes, and mischievous smile, allowed him to seamlessly transition between various roles. He played romantic leads opposite stars like Jane Fonda and Julie Christie and was equally adept at portraying oddballs and villains. His career began in the 1960s and included iconic roles such as a rascally Army surgeon in “M*A*S*H” (1970), a quirky tank commander in “Kelly’s Heroes” (1970), a small-town detective in “Klute” (1971), a stoned professor in “Animal House” (1978), a local official in “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” (1978), and a grieving father in “Ordinary People” (1980).
In 2012, Sutherland gained a new generation of fans with his role as the despotic President Snow in “The Hunger Games” and its sequels. Reflecting on his career while accepting an honorary Academy Award for lifetime achievement in 2017, Sutherland expressed gratitude to the characters he portrayed, acknowledging how they enriched his own life.
Born on July 17, 1935, in New Brunswick, Canada, Sutherland was raised in Nova Scotia. He began acting in school productions during his college days and later moved to Britain to develop his training. He eventually settled in the United States, where he achieved his first major success as part of the ensemble cast in the war film “The Dirty Dozen” (1967). Throughout his illustrious career, Sutherland’s versatility and dedication to his craft made him a beloved and respected figure in the film industry.
